Postdoctoral Training

Applications for Postdoctoral Fellowship appointments to the Training Program in Sleep, Circadian and Respiratory Neurobiology are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Postdoctoral Fellows in the Training Program in Sleep, Circadian and Respiratory Neurobiology may be awarded up to two years of support from this NIH/NHLBI National Research Service Award (NRSA) grant. According to Federal guidelines, postdoctoral trainees may receive a maximum of three years of total support from any NRSA grant, such as this T32 program or an Individual F32 award.  Renewal for a second year of support from this program carries a requirement to submit an application for reappointment. As one of the requirements for reappointment, postdoctoral fellows must apply for an NRSA grant or another grant providing the NRSA (or higher) level of salary support  within the first six months of their initial appointment in order to qualify for a second year.

In order to fulfill the Certificate requirements for this program, and to qualify for renewal for a second year of funding, trainees are expected to follow the program guidelines outlined below. For complete details, download the Training Program’s Orientation Packet – one of several useful documents and resources on the Forms and Resources page. 

Postdoctoral Trainees generally choose a Faculty Preceptor’s laboratory in which to work before enrollment, however most preceptors encourage collaboration and will be happy to have trainees perform a research rotation in their laboratory.  A primary laboratory and mentor must be selected within four months of appointment.

Upon appointment to this Training Program, trainees should meet in person with the program coordinator to complete required forms and review the details of the program’s requirements, including:

• Trainees are required to meet in person at regular intervals with their Faculty Preceptor(s), their Academic Advisor and the Program Director. Trainees are responsible for initiating these meetings.
• Trainees are required to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) (pdf) with their Faculty Preceptor(s), and to review this plan at a minimum once per year. The initial IDP should be completed within three months of the trainee's start date.
• Trainees are required to make at least one Research-in-Progress presentation during their appointment to their peers and program faculty.
• Trainees are required to complete each of the courses required for their training track, and attend regular lectures, seminars and meetings. Course waivers or exceptions may be granted by the curriculum advisor - for example, for a substitute course - upon review.
• All trainees are required to submit an application for support for an individual NRSA or equivalent within the first six months of their initial appointment to this Training Program, and (if not initially awarded) in the first six months of each year of continuation thereafter. Trainees are advised to meet with the Training Coordinator for consultation on this and other topics.

Postdoctoral Program Applicants should include with their application a brief statement of interest in the field of sleep and/or in this Training Program. Letters of recommendation should be sent under separate cover directly to the Program. Prior to the Selection Committee meeting at which their application will be reviewed, applicants are required to make contact with the Faculty Preceptor(s) with whom they would be interested in working to make them aware of, and obtain their support for, the application. 

Trainees completing this program earn a Certificate in Sleep Medicine from the Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine, which is a certificate of completion of program requirements. Students and Fellows with alternate funding may also apply to participate in this program and earn the certificate of completion. For more information, please review the Program Description, or link directly to any of the program specifics and resources below.