Prospective Postdocs

Find Your PI

Connecting with potential principal investigators (PIs) or research advisors as a postdoc is critical to your success at any institution. It is important to review research group publications and websites to learn more about the work of any prospective candidates. Taking the first step to reach out to prospective candidates can be done via email. See below for some tips about this outreach step:

  • It is acceptable to contact more than one faculty member at a time – just be sure to explain why you’re interested in working together.
  • Tell them how your research interests are similar, the ways in which you could contribute to their lab, and why you’d like to take on a postdoc role. Be prepared to discuss your own research!
  • Remember that these emails attempting to get hired as a postdoc are the first steps in networking and professional relationship-building that will be critical throughout the rest of your career. Ensure you make a good first impression.
  • You may not get a response from each prospective faculty advisor you email about working with. There are many circumstances that may make it difficult for research faculty to respond to your email which have nothing to do with you or your qualifications.

Resources for Faculty Contact Information

Open Positions

Scholars from all over the world and from a wide variety of backgrounds join the University of Michigan as postdoctoral fellows. You can view the most up-to-date list of open postdoc positions on the U-M Careers site.

This site is not a comprehensive list of all available postdoctoral opportunities, so be sure to check back regularly. It is also recommended that fellows reach out to faculty directly if there is interest in working together.

Go to the U-M Careers Website
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Life Sciences Postdoctoral Statistics

As part of the Coalition of Next Generation Life Sciences, U-M shares a number of figures about postdoctoral fellows for those considering careers in the biomedical sciences.

Benefits

The University of Michigan extends benefits to all postdoctoral research fellows, which may include: health insurance (medical, dental, vision) for yourself and your dependent(s), vacation time and holidays, paid and unpaid leave, and child care support. More information can be found on the website of U-M Academic Human Resources for Postdoctoral Research Fellows.