General Instructions
We review applications for fellowships on a rolling admissions basis. We usually award about three or four postdoctoral fellowships each academic year with flexible start dates. Our weekly training meetings are held on zoom.
All candidates should submit a letter of intent that provides concise answers to the questions that follow below, a CV, a writing sample, and a dissertation abstract (the abstract only applies to postdoctoral applicants). Each of these should be submitted separately as Word or pdf files labeled as follows: last name, document title [letter of intent, writing sample, CV] and date [for month, day and year in the format e.g., 093015]. Make sure the first page of your letter of intent has your name in the upper right hand corner, followed immediately below by the word POSTDOC, then the date, then your phone number(s) and e-mail address each on separate lines (provide only one e-mail address).
Candidates should apply electronically (do not mail hardcopies) by submitting the above documents to Dr. Gregory Falkin (greg.falkin@nyu.edu) and copying Ms. Vicki Zaleski (vicki.zaleski@nyu.edu). Make sure when you send your application and all other correspondence pertaining to you application to Dr. Falkin you copy Ms. Zaleski.
If you send an e-mail for any reason before you submit an application, please attach your CV in your initial e-mail so that we can create a file for you.
NIH Citizenship Requirement: You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card) to be awarded a fellowship. If you do not meet this NIH requirement at the time you are planning to apply but you are confident you will have a green card by the time you would start in the BST program please send an e-mail to Dr. Falkin (copy Ms. Zaleski) explaining your situation and asking if it is acceptable to apply.
Please address the following questions in your letter of intent
(1) How did you hear about the BST program?
(2) Why are you interested in doing a postdoc? What are your long-term career goals?
(3) When did you deposit your dissertation in the university library, and when did you obtain your degree? If you have not done this yet let us know when your defense date is scheduled for or about when you plan to defend.
(4) What was the title of your dissertation? Please provide a two-sentence summary here (as well as your dissertation abstract as a separate document).
(5) Please describe the research agenda that you would like to work on as a postdoc. This question is extremely important. Your answer should be in the vicinity of two to three paragraphs (at most). We are looking for your ability to write a cogent research statement as well as the specifics of what you write, which should include (a) the rationale and significance of the study, and (b) the methods you a using. If you have more than one project that you want to pursue, start with the one that is most important to you and then you can add one or two (at most) paragraphs for another one or two (at most) projects. At the end of this section list all papers that you hope to work on in your first year as a postdoc. Include names of co-authors, a title or working title, and whether the paper is in progress, under review (in which case include the journal name), or in the gestation phase.
(6) With few exceptions, we generally want our postdocs to gain experience working on NIDA grants. Are you familiar with the NIDA-funded research done at the NYU’s Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR)? If not take some time to peruse the website descriptions of the researchers and their projects and publications at the following link: http://www.cduhr.org/browse-research/?type=Project#.V02p1tdZWJI
You may find it easier to begin by perusing the CDUHR Brochure. If you see a project with a title of interest you should then read the more detailed description on their website.
Let us know if you see any PIs you might be collaborating with and/or any projects you might interested in working on. Our fellowship program does not assign postdoctoral fellows to projects—that is something that is ultimately your decision, though we will make suggestions—but we expect you will work with one or two PIs on their research, unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., you have already been a project director of a NIDA grant and your other research stated above clearly takes precedence). For each PI and/or project you are interested in, first state the name of the PI and/or project title(s) and then explain why you are interested in them (in one cogent paragraph). You should do this for one or two (three at most) PIs and/or projects.
You are not making a commitment to work on a particular project and it is possible you might not work on any CDUHR projects. While we like to know what topics interest you, we will focus as much if not more on the rationale you provide (because it is not important at this time for you, or us, to know exactly what project you might work on). If you think there are extenuating circumstances such that there would not be an advantage or might actually be a disadvantage to your working on an CDUHR project, please tell us your thinking about this.
(7) Are you currently working? Indicate the number of hours per week. Are you committed to working or hoping to work during the upcoming Fall, Spring or Summer semesters? If so, about how many hours per week? If you will be teaching, how many classes? What days of the week? About how much will you earn in the next year all together from outside work.
(8) Will you be getting any fellowships, stipends, etc. for the Fall, Spring or Summer semester? If so, indicate the name and dollar amount.
(9) Have you previously been supported by a National Research Service Award? If so, how long were you supported?
(10) Please provide contact information (e-mail address and phone number) for four references.
(11) If there is anything else you would like to add please feel free to elaborate after answering the previous questions.
PLEASE BE CONCISE and COGENT – we will invite you for an interview to obtain more information if we feel it is warranted. Generally a two-page letter of intent is in the ballpark.