Frequently Asked Questions
Should I apply?
The application for the 2025 cohort is closed. The application for the 2026 cohort will open in the fall.
Are you a woman or non-binary postdoc in the biomedical sciences and considering an academic career? Do you have work from your postdoc (published or unpublished) that you are ready to present? Are you planning to go on the job market in the fall of 2026 or later? Then, yes!
Postdocs who are already on the job market (have submitted or will submit more than 3 faculty applications by May 2026) are not eligible.
Questions about eligibility? Email [email protected].
What does being a Leading Edge Fellow entail?
Leading Edge Fellows join a community of postdocs and assistant professors in the biomedical sciences.
Throughout the year, the Leading Edge community communicates through a dedicated Slack, as well as monthly Zoom meet-ups. Career development panels occur throughout the year by Zoom. We meet in-person once a year at the Leading Edge Symposium!
Questions about eligibility? Email [email protected].
I have a title other than "postdoc". Am I still eligible?
In general if you are in a post-PhD, non-PI position you are eligible to apply. We expect that applicants will have a variety of titles including postdoc, research associate, and in some cases research assistant professor. For the 2025 cohort, postdocs who are already on the job market (have submitted or will submit more than 3 faculty applications by May 2025) are not eligible.
Questions about eligibility? Email [email protected].
I am interested in careers at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) and Small Liberal Arts Colleges (SLACs). Should I apply?
Some Leading Edge Fellows have gone on to positions at PUIs and we are very proud of them! But, Leading Edge programming is focused on people applying for research-intensive (R1) institutions.
Questions about eligibility? Email [email protected].
How do I apply to be a Fellow?
The application for the 2025 cohort is closed. The application for the 2026 cohort will open in the fall.
I'm already a faculty member. What should I do?
Please email fantastic postdocs you know - those at your institution, and those you have met at conferences - and encourage them to apply to Leading Edge. Everyone could use a push!
If you are hiring new faculty at your institution, consider reaching out to our Fellows.
If you are looking for fabulous seminar or conference speakers at the assistant professor or postdoc level, consider reaching out to our Fellows.
I'm not planning to go on the job market in Fall 2026, should I wait to apply next year?
No! We encourage applications from postdocs at all stages - we hope that the exposure, career development and connections that arise from the symposium will have an impact on your career far beyond the immediate future.
I am doing my postdoc outside the United States. Can I still apply?
We welcome postdocs from all institutions. However, the career development sessions will be geared towards faculty positions at research-intensive (R1) institutions in the United States.
Are there any citizenship requirements?
No.
I applied before and wasn't selected, should I apply again?
Yes! There are always more qualified applicants each year than we can accommodate in the cohort. Please apply again.
More questions?
Please contact us at [email protected]