The Burroughs Wellcome Fund has announced the Career Awards at the Scientific Interface program, intended to foster the early career development of postdoctoral scientists with backgrounds in the physical/computational sciences whose work addresses biological questions and who are dedicated to pursuing a career in academic research. The awards will provide up to $500,000 in support over five years to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of a future faculty appointment, presumably at a different institution.

Applicants are expected to draw upon their training in a scientific field other than biology to propose innovative approaches to answer important questions in the biological sciences. Examples of aproaches include, but are not limited to, physical measurement or manipulation of biological phenomena, computer simulation of complex processes in physiological systems, mathematical modeling or self-organizing behavior, building probabilistic tools for medical diagnosis, developing novel imaging tools or biosensors, applying nanotechnology to manipulate cellular systems, predicting cellular responses to topological clues and mechanical forces, and developing a new conceptual understanding of the complexity of living organisms. Proposals that include experimental validation of theoretical models are particularly encouraged.

Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, statistics, or engineering and be nominated by a degree-granting institution in the US or Canada. Tthe program is open to US and Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Only two (2) nominations per institution will be accepted, or three if one of the nominations is a female.  For consideration for nominations, please send the following information to Julie O’Connor in the Office of the Vice President for Research via email (ag2712@wayne.edu) by March 3, 2008 with the subject line “Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Awards“: 

a) title page with all contact information; b) abbreviated CV; c) scientific abstract limited to one page.

Full proposals for those selected to submit a proposal will be due April 15, 2008.  Full proposals must be submitted through the Sponsored Program Administration office.  Those selected to submit a proposal will be notified by March 14, 2008.