Postbaccalaureate Training

Research & Training

Let the Postbac at JAX help you stand out. Through our two-year semi-structured training program, postbacs immerse themselves in cutting edge research as part of a team, pursue an independent research project with direct ties to human health and disease, strengthen their professional skills, and improve their scientific communication.

Our Genomic Education team supports the professional development of trainees through:

Access to JAX courses and conferences
Participation in the annual JAX Scientific Symposium
Postbac Journal Club
Interdisciplinary learning through the Postbac Community Read
Travel stipends to attend an external scientific meeting
Personalized planning for the graduate school application process
Feedback on essay drafts and interview practice sessions
Financial support for MCAT/GRE preparation and test registration

Postbac trainees also benefit from:

JAX’s reputation as a leader in genetics & genomics research
Dedicated, world-class faculty
State-of-the-art research resources
Comprehensive scientific services
Institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Vibrant community of doctoral students and postdocs
Full-time employment status, salary and benefits

Bar Harbor, Maine

Life at JAX

Postbacs are matched with PIs for training and mentorship so that they can meaningfully contribute to their lab’s research program. Postbacs are valuable members of our trainee community that also includes Postdocs and PhD students. In addition to conducting research, postbacs attend trainee-specific workshops and events, and have free access to JAX courses (both online and in-person). As a research institution with a diverse group of nearly 3,000 staff, JAX has a wide range of scientific interest groups and social communities that help forge connections between colleagues.

Two Postbac Programs

MD-PhD Postbac Fellows

A full-time research experience with professional development training to prepare you for a career as a physician-scientist.

Learn More

Ph.D. Postbac Researchers

A two-year training program in genomics and data science for recent college graduates that prepares you for the rigors of a Ph.D. program.

Learn More

Recent Postbac Trainees

Alisha Tillman

Undergraduate Institution: Alabama A&M University

Undergraduate Major: Biology

JAX PI: Ewelina Bolcun-Filas, Ph.D.

After JAX, Alisha went on to pursue an M.D. at Auburn University Via School of Medicine.

Ashley Tucker

Undergraduate Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology

Undergraduate Major: Biomedical Sciences

JAX PI: Carol Bult, Ph.D.

Ashley worked alongside Dr. Julie Wells and Dr. Carol Bult to develop and characterize a mouse model of metastatic lung cancer.

After JAX, Ashley went on to pursue an MD-PhD at UConn Health.

Christian Monroy Hernandez

Undergraduate Institution: University of New Orleans

Undergraduate Major: Biological Sciences

JAX PI: Elissa Chesler, Ph.D.

In the Chesler lab, Christian's research focused on understanding how genetics and environmental factors like stress contribute to addiction.

After JAX, Christian went on to pursue an MD-PhD at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Jin Komerska

Undergraduate Institution: Grinnell College

Undergraduate Major: Biological Chemistry

JAX PI: George Weinstock, Ph.D.

In the Weinstock lab, Jin investigated the difference in treatment outcomes for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, drugs that boost the human immune response against tumors.

After JAX, Jin went on to pursue an MD-PhD at University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Oraya Zinder

Undergraduate Institution: University of Vermont

Undergraduate Major: Molecular Genetics

JAX PI: Laura Reinholdt, Ph.D.

In the Reinholdt lab, Oraya worked to identify causative mutations of phenotypically mutant mice.

After JAX, Oraya went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology at University of Illinois - Chicago.

Taylor Wade

Undergraduate Institution: University of Connecticut

Undergraduate Major: Engineering, Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering

JAX PI: Roel Verhaak, Ph.D.

In the Verhaak lab, Taylor investigated mitochondrial genome evolution in gliomas under therapy.

After JAX, Taylor went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology at Duke University.

Tom Murdy

Undergraduate Institution: Brandeis University