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

  • Over the course of the year there will be 12 meetings (approx. 1 per month); BoT scholars are expected to attend at least 9 of the 12 meetings. Each meeting is 1 hour in length. 

Application Process

  • Application is posted June 18, 2025
  • Application Closes on August 10, 2025
  • Notification to Applicants by August 13, 2025
  • Applicants Confirm Participation by August 22, 2025
APPLY NOW

The Application

  • Basic Info (name, email, UID, etc.)
  • Demographic Info
    • All questions have a “prefer not to say” option
    • We collect this demographic data in aggregate and with no personal identifiers for two reasons. First, NIH requires UCLA to report aggregate demographic information on our postdoctoral community. Second, understanding the needs and identities of our applicant pool helps us provide more relevant services and support.
  • Education (PhD institution, Postdoc PI, UCLA start date, etc.)
  • Getting to Know You
    • CV submission
    • Short Answer (Successful applicants answer within 3-6 sentences)
      • What are your goals for your postdoctoral training?
      • What aspects of this program excite you the most?
      • What is a challenge you had to face? How did you overcome it?
      • How would your best friend describe your personality?

No Letters of Recommendation necessary

 

The Curriculum

Socials overlap across cohorts to promote a postdoctoral community.

By Month & Year:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4*
#1 – September Welcome & Orientation Meet the New Cohort
#2 – October Defining Success Elevator Pitch Managing Your Public Digital Presence Exploring Different Types of Academic Jobs
#3 – November Basics of Networking Exploring Different Faculty Jobs Best Practices in Scientific Writing Best Practices in the Academic Job Market
#4 – December December Social
#5 – January Time Management Finding Mentors & the Informational Interview Writing the Teaching Statement Incorporating Wellness into Your Everyday Life
#6 – February Writing a Research Proposal Disability & Accessibility Preventing & Coping with Burnout Revising Your Application Materials
#7 – March March Social
#8 – April Individual Development Plan (IDP) Developing a Teaching Philosophy Promoting Your Research to Different Audiences American Dining Etiquette & Formal Manners
#9 – May Future Faculty Banquet
#10 – May Setting & Enforcing Boundaries Public Speaking, Part 1 – Best Practices Service. What is it? How do you do it? Effective Job Talks
#11 – June Basics of Inclusive Excellence Public Speaking, Part 2 – Practicum  The Business of Research Recruiting & Managing a Team
#12 – July Summer Social
Recommended Trainings

By Topic:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Professional Vision Defining Success; Individual Development Plan (IDP) Exploring Different Faculty Jobs Managing Your Public Digital Presence Exploring Different Types of Academic Jobs
Networking

Includes Meeting the New Cohort, Socials, & Future Faculty Banquet

 Welcome & Orientation; Basics of Networking  The Elevator Pitch; Finding Mentors & the Informational Interview ~~~ American Dining Etiquette & Formal Manners
Communication Writing a Research Proposal; Setting and Enforcing Boundaries The Elevator Pitch; Public Speaking, Part 1 & 2; Emotional Intelligence & Communication Managing Your Public Digital Presence; Best Practices in Scientific Writing; Writing the Teaching Statement; Promoting Your Research to Different Audiences Best Practices in the Academic Job Market; Revising Your Application Materials; Effective Job Talks
Funding Writing a Research Proposal; NIH Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship: F32 Workgroup  ~~~ Promoting Your Research to Different Audiences; CTSI NIH K Award Workshops and Resources ~~~
Lab Management Rigor & Reproducibility Course Responsible Conduct in Research Course  The Business of Research Recruiting & Managing a Team; Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) Refresher Course; Project Management & Teamwork
Teaching & Mentorship ~~~ Developing a Teaching Philosophy; Postdoc Research Mentor Training Writing the Teaching Statement; Service. What is it? How do you do it?; Center for the Integration of Research Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Program ~~~
Inclusive Excellence Basics of Inclusive Excellence Disability & Accessibility Service. What is it? How do you do it?  Fostering Advocacy & Belonging
Wellness Time Management; Setting and Enforcing Boundaries Emotional Intelligence & Communication Preventing & Coping with Burnout Incorporating Wellness into Your Everyday Life

*Year 4 is tentative. Every year we review the content and make adjustments.

Contact Info