Bioscientists of Tomorrow (BoT)

Bioscientists of Tomorrow (BoT)

Bioscientists of Tomorrow (BoT)
Postdoctoral Cohort Program for Future Faculty

Overview

The Bioscientists of Tomorrow (BoT) Cohort Program is coordinated by the Bioscience Postdoctoral Affairs Office at UCLA. BoT’s mission is to provide guided professional development to postdocs preparing for an academic career. Complementary to their lab-based research training, the 4-year BoT program helps postdocs identify clear career goals, develop essential professional skills, and prepare their portfolio and materials for the academic job market. The cohort model builds a network of peers to promote community, accountability, and wellness.

Eligibility to Apply

  • UCLA Postdocs conducting Bioscience research
  • Must have one year or less of postdoctoral experience

Time Commitment

  • Mandatory: 9 meetings per year (each meeting is 1.5hrs)
  • Recommended: Training activities and programs (e.g. F32 workgroup)

Application Process

  • Application is posted August 17th
  • Submit an Online Application by September 8th
  • Review of Applications
  • Notification to Applicants by September 15th  September 22
  • Applicants Confirm Participation by September 29th (and on a rolling basis)

2023 Application is Closed.

We are currently no longer accepting applications for the 2023 cohort.

2024 Cohort Application will open late summer 2024.

Curriculum

Year 1: Professional Vision & Funding

#1 Getting to Know You / Intro Networking Workshop
#2 Defining Success
#3 Time Management
#4 Individual Development Plan (IDP) Workshop
#5 Mid-Year Check-In / Networking Lunch
#6 Writing a Research Statement
#7 Setting and Enforcing Boundaries
#8 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion 101
#9 End-of-Year Reflection / Networking Lunch (Mentors Invited)
Recommend Trainings:

  • NIH Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship: F32 Workgroup
  • Rigor & Reproducibility Course

Provisional Year 2 Curriculum: Mentorship & Communication Skills

#1 Setting Goals for the Year / Networking Lunch
#2 Elevator Pitch Workshop
#3 Assessing Your Values and Choosing Career Paths Workshop
#4 Advanced Networking Workshop
#5 Mid-Year Check-In / Networking Lunch
#6 Conflict Resolution Workshop
#7 Self-Advocacy Workshop
#8 Public Speaking Workshop
#9 End-of-Year Reflection / Networking Lunch (Mentors Invited)
Recommended Trainings:

  • Postdoc Research Mentor Training (PDRMT)
  • Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR)

Provisional Year 3 Curriculum: Teaching & Publishing

#1 Setting Goals for the Year / Networking Lunch
#2 Writing to a Specific Audience Workshop
#3 Best Practices in Scientific Writing Workshop
#4 Preventing & Coping with Burnout Workshop
#5 Mid-Year Check-In / Networking Lunch
#6 Managing Your Public Digital Presence Workshop
#7 Teaching Statement Workshop
#8 Diversity Statement Workshop
#9 End-of-Year Reflection / Networking Lunch (Mentors Invited)
Recommended Trainings:

  • NIH K99 Transition Award Workshop
  • Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Program

Provisional Year 4 Curriculum: Job Market Preparation

#1 Setting Goals for the Year / Networking Lunch
#2 Effective Job Talk Workshop
#3 Best Practices in Interview Workshop
#4 Exploring Different Types of Academic Institutions Workshop
#5 Mid-Year Check-In / Networking Lunch
#6 Revising Your Application Materials
#7 Community Support & Advocacy Workshop
#8 Incorporating Wellness into Your Professional Life
#9 End-of-Year Reflection / Networking Lunch (Mentors Invited)
Recommended Trainings:

  • Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) Refresher Course
  • QCBio Academic Job Postdoc Professional Development Series

Contact Info