The Vollum Institute

VOLLUM INSTITUTE

Postdoctoral Training

The Vollum Institute is increasing its emphasis on the training of postdoctoral fellows for careers in academics and biotechnology. There are 70-80 postdoctorals, including about 30 from foreign countries, currently in training in the 21 laboratories of the Vollum faculty. Trainees are supported from NIH training grants, RO1 research grants and special fellowships. Those interested in postdoctoral training at the Vollum should contact individual faculty members whose research is of interest.

Several special training programs enhance career development of postdoctoral fellows. Of particular interest is a series of workshops on topics such as seminar presentations, job interviews, women in science, grant writing, academia versus industry, and scientific integrity. Trainees also attend a weekly seminar series featuring outstanding scientists from institutions throughout the world. There is also a weekly internal seminar series by Vollum postdoctorals and Ph.D. students that provides trainees with the opportunity to hone their communication skills. Foreign and domestic trainees benefit from a class in English scientific writing. Students in this class meet as a group and individually with an English instructor for 12 weeks and work on basic elements of scientific writing. Classes in English as a Second Language are also available at several local institutions.

The Vollum Institute is located on the main campus of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in southwest Portland, minutes from the city center. The campus buildings command spectacular views of the city's picturesque downtown and surrounding mountains. Vollum faculty and postdoctorals interact with OHSU faculty in the basic and clinical sciences. The Vollum and OHSU departments are well equipped for all aspects of modern biomedical research.

Portland and its surrounding communities (1.7 million population) are noted for convenient transportation, livability and affordability. There are more than 100 parks in the Portland City limits including the 5,000-acre Forest Park and the famous Japanese gardens. Prime outdoor recreational sites include the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood and the Oregon coast, all within about an hour's drive from the city. Portland and Oregon are a haven for hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, biking, windsurfing, fishing, sailing, rafting, kayaking and beach combing. The city boasts the NBA Portland Trailblazers, a variety of pop concerts, symphony, ballet, opera, art galleries, theater, coffeehouses, bookstores, wineries, microbreweries, great restaurants and an active nightlife. For detailed information, check out the Portland Oregon Visitors Association (POVA).

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