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Stanford Postdoctoral Recruitment Initiative in Sciences and Medicine (PRISM)

For Faculty

PRISM helps faculty discover and recruit postdoctoral scholars to their research groups through broad outreach, interview travel funds, and candidate support throughout recruitment.

“I certainly wouldn't have been connected with this candidate without PRISM.” —PRISM 2023 faculty

“This program is critical for my ability to maintain the diversity of my group.” — PRISM 2021 faculty

“I think it is a great recruitment tool to make it clear that there is a real commitment to diversity.” — PRISM 2019 faculty

Explore and Apply

Stanford PRISM, created in 2017, connects advanced graduate students from a broad range of backgrounds with potential postdoctoral mentors at Stanford. Through PRISM, students visit campus to explore the postdoc training environment, build relationships with faculty, and determine whether advanced training at Stanford would support their career goals. With one of the largest postdoc populations in the country and a strong commitment to supporting postdocs' success and thriving, Stanford provides a uniquely rich training environment. Stanford postdocs work alongside top scientists and simultaneously develop their professional skills, explore career options, and prepare for independent careers. Apply to PRISM and discover whether you can see yourself thriving as a postdoc here.

PRISM is open to graduate students from all backgrounds and in all fields, though we especially encourage applicants from the broad spectrum of identities that are underrepresented in academia to apply.

PRISM Cohort 12: Fall 2023

  • PRISM Cohort 12 applications are currently under review. Decisions will be rendered to all applicants by September 25, 2023.
  • Visit: November 1-4, 2023, to interview with faculty, connect with current postdocs, and learn about postdoctoral training
  • Conferral eligibility: PhD or other terminal doctoral degree conferral between December 2023 - December 2024
  • Questions: Contact stanfordprism@stanford.edu

PRISM Cohort 13: Spring 2024

  • Apply: Application will be open December 2023 - February 2024
  • Visit: May 2024
  • Conferral eligibility: PhD/MD conferral between August 2024 - August 2025
  • Interest list: Join the interest list for information about future PRISM cohorts

PRISM Resources

Eligibility

PRISM applicants must:

  • Be traveling from within the United States and its territories. Applications from students in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, etc., may also be considered, pending funding availability. Travel funds are not available for those located overseas.
  • Intend to complete their PhD within 15 months of their PRISM visit, though later graduation dates may be considered, at the discretion of the faculty or program.

Citizenship requirements vary by School:

  • Applications for faculty in the School of Medicine: Applicants must be eligible for NIH T-32 training grants, which are limited to US Citizens or Permanent Residents, by the time they will begin their postdoctoral appointment. Dreamers and DACA recipients are also welcome to apply.
  • Applications for faculty in the Schools of Engineering, Humanities & Sciences, and the Doerr School of Sustainability: Applicants may be of any citizenship with appropriate visa status.

NOTE: Applications deemed ineligible per the above criteria will NOT be submitted to Stanford faculty for review.

About PRISM

PRISM is intended to provide an opportunity for graduate students who might not have considered Stanford for their postdoctoral training to visit campus, interview with multiple faculty, network with current Stanford postdocs, and learn about postdoctoral training. We invite all graduate students, and especially those from backgrounds underrepresented in academia, to apply. Underrepresented identity groups include, but are not limited to: African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, Vietnamese, first generation college-goers, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with disabilities, and those underrepresented on the basis of gender identity or expression or sexual orientation.

PRISM in the News

Connect with #StanfordPRISM

PRISM Process

Apply

Fill out our online application, including your CV, a research statement, a recommendation from your mentor, and the names of up to six Stanford faculty with whom you would be interested in working.The PRISM Application Guide provides details about the application and how to select mentors. The Propel blog also has an excellent series of posts with guidance on exploring postdoctoral training and mentors. Candidates in the biosciences should also consider relevant T32 training programs at Stanford and their associated faculty.

After the application closes, eligible applications are forwarded to faculty for review. Faculty are instructed to review applications, conduct short screening interviews via Zoom with promising candidates, and nominate any candidates they would like to interview through PRISM. These nominations are used to build the cohort, and successful applicants are invited to visit. Invitees work with their faculty matches to establish interview schedules and work with the PRISM team to arrange travel to Stanford. We also provide training to help them prepare for the visit.

Visit

The goal of the PRISM visit is for recruits to meet a variety of faculty, learn about postdoctoral training at Stanford, and meet current and future Stanford postdocs. Over 3-5 days, PRISM recruits engage in interviews and research group visits as well as a number of activities with the cohort and current postdocs, including representatives of SURPAS, the postdoc association, and the postdoc affinity groups. Recruits also have access to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs staff, who can answer questions and provide coaching.

Contact Information

Email stanfordprism@stanford.edu with questions.

The PRISM Team
Robin Sugiura, Director of Postdoctoral Training