Professional Development

Advanced Postdoctoral Training (APT) Program 

The PTO is excited to announce a new training program for all postdocs at City of Hope. The intention of APT is to provide opportunities for building specific career skills that are important for professional scientists, but that are not the focus of the scientific training postdocs receive in lab from their mentors. The APT will operate on a three-year cycle, with each year being dedicated to one main topic: communication, lab management, and job searches. Each year we plan to host at least four training opportunities that will be hosted by respected speakers who are experts in these areas. 

Core training

Every year the Postdoc Office will continue to provide NIH mandated training in responsible conduct of research and methods for enhancing reproducibility, grantsmanship cohorts, classes in R programming, and statistics refreshers. This in addition to opportunities to practice presenting your research at the Evolving Story Forum (previously the Postdoc Research Forum), the RSO Advance, and the annual City of Hope Poster Session.

APT Certificate

Participants in the APT Program will receive recognition for completion of the training. During our annual Postdocs Rock appreciation event we will acknowledge APT participants with certificates given to those who: completed mandated training and attend 75% of APT workshops in a given year. Thus, participants will receive certification for each of the three thematic training focuses. Postdocs who complete the entire cycle will receive a plaque signifying completion of the program.

International Postdocs

We have a thriving community of international postdocs at City of Hope.

  • Our City of Hope Immigration Services Facebook page connects you to the people, resources, workshops and social events that will help you work effectively and feel at home here. We have a dedicated professional available to guide you through visa and immigration issues.
  • Contact Sherri Pattanakiat at spattanakiat@coh.org or 626-256-4673, ext.87575. 

Continuing Education

Postdoctoral fellows enroll in a comprehensive Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) course. The purpose of the course is to promote the awareness among postdoctoral fellows of the ethical challenges confronted by laboratory researchers and explore approaches for successfully navigating them. This course is mandated by the National Institutes of Health as a part of every scholar’s training. In addition to RCR, postdocs receive training in Research Study Design to align with NIH’s initiative to increase rigor and reproducibility in science. 

We also offer courses in statistical analysis, R programming, and Biostatistics. Other offerings include the Professional Development monthly seminars and access to the Keck Graduate Center's Certificate in Bioscience Management.

We also have recommended resources on improving figure design. 

Individual Development Plan

Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) annually. An IDP is an annual self-assessment career benchmarking program that assists you in defining your goals and needs, planning your research, tracking your performance and measuring progress towards your next steps. We strongly suggest that you review your IDP with your principle investigator.

The Postdoctoral Training Office offers one-on-one counseling to help with your IDP, explore career options, develop job search strategies, create a self-marketing campaign and improve your networking skills. Networking is further enhanced with free membership in the National Postdoctoral Association.

Additional IDP resources are also provided.

To make an appointment to review your IDP contact Saundra Hilton at shilton@coh.org. 

Pursuing A Career In Academia

Launching A Career Outside Of Academia

The Professional Organization(s) within your discipline may offer career advice, access to mentors and job searches.

Career Training Programs/Fellowships For Ph.D.S

Finding A Position

A complete list of our open positions can be found here