Our postdoctoral scholars program provides research support and a community of mentors and peers to extraordinary Stanford postdocs advancing our understanding of the mind and brain in health and disease.
The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute's Postdoctoral Scholar Awards support innovative, collaborative and creative postdoctoral researchers from across Stanford who are pursuing novel, multi-disciplinary approaches to understanding the workings of the mind and brain. In addition to receiving research funding, scholars meet regularly for workshops, journal clubs and other activities that allow them to learn from one another’s varied research and personal backgrounds and establish community and collaborations. These Interdisciplinary and Brain Resilience Scholars will advance our knowledge of brain health and aging.
Program Tracks
Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholar Award
Since 2015, the Wu Tsai Neuro's Interdisciplinary Scholars track has supported innovative young researchers with backgrounds in basic and clinical neurosciences, biomedical sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, engineering, education, law, business and humanities who are engaged in cutting edge interdisciplinary research in the neurosciences, broadly defined.
Brain Resilience Postdoctoral Scholar Award
Since 2023, the Brain Resilience Postdoctoral Scholars award of the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience supports trainees generating paradigm-shifting insights on the mechanisms of neurodegeneration and how to maintain brain resilience into old age.
Application
Deadline to submit your application for the 2025 cohort is Monday, August 26, 2024.
Click here for application and eligibility details.
Program frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Program terms and conditions
Our Model
This program awards two years of fellowship funding and is pleased to provide parental leave. Postdoctoral scholars also receive $5,000 of discretionary research funds annually.
Mentorship
The program provides scientific and career-growth opportunities and guidance under the leadership of program co-directors and faculty mentors Professors Miriam Goodman and Liqun Luo. Scholars meet monthly with their cohort and program faculty mentors to share ideas and discuss approaches to scientific and career challenges, visit each other’s labs to learn about different research techniques and areas of study, and practice communicating their research to scientific and general audiences.
In addition, Brain Resilience Postdoctoral Scholars attend events and seminars hosted by the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience, and are stewarded by Knight Initiative Associate Director Natasha Hussain and faculty mentor Elizabeth Mormino to learn from one another and build community around the topic of neurodegeneration and brain resilience.
Diversity
The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Postdoctoral program brings together cohorts of postdocs representing the broad range of demographic, experiential and scientific diversity. Women and postdocs from groups underrepresented in the neurosciences are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Application and Eligibility Details
Carefully review the detailed information below if you are interested in applying to the Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars track or the Brain Resilience Postdoctoral Scholars track of the program.
Meet current and past scholars
Funded Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholar projects
Sustained release of growth factors from bioengineered synthetic "cells" for treating spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that affects young adults between the ages of 16 and 30, which leads to lifelong medical and financial burdens. SCI still results in a decreased quality-of-life and lower life expectancy for patients. This is due in part to the lack of a regenerative-based therapeutic approach to treating SCI in the clinic.
Examining the role of glia signaling in neuronal excitability
Understanding how glia regulate the expression and/or post-translational modification of sodium ion channels may lead to the identification of new pharmaceutical targets for the treatment of pain.
Funded Brain Resilience Postdoctoral Scholar projects
Programmatic Activation of the Neurodegenerative TREM2 Pathway by TCIP1
Over six million Americans currently live with Alzheimer's disease, a number expected to rise to about 14 million
by 2060 as the population ages. Alzheimer’s is a major cause of dementia and the fifth-leading cause of death in
the U.S., so there is a growing need to address this disease. Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are crucial in
The role of mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in glaucoma pathophysiology
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve and represents the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Elevated intraocular pressure represents the most significant and modifiable risk factor. However, in the retina, knowledge about how mechanical stimuli are sensed and modify neuron physiology remains unclear.
Dynamic acetylcholine regulation in flexible learning and restorative interventions in Parkinson’s disease
Flexible learning, the ability to adapt in changing environments, declines during normal aging. Moreover, this decline is exacerbated in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), a common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting not only movement but also cognitive abilities.
The role of the frontotemporal dementia gene product Progranulin in the homeostasis of the neurodegeneration- associated lipid Bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate
The brain relies on Progranulin, a pivotal protein, to function smoothly and maintain overall health. When
Progranulin fails to perform its essential functions, it can trigger severe neurological issues. In children, a
complete malfunction of Progranulin can result in Batten disease, a devastating condition characterized by rapid