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 3-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 approx. 1 hour in length. 

Application Process

  • Application is posted July 1, 2026
  • Application Closes on August 10, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
  • Notification to Applicants by August 19, 2026
  • Applicants Confirm Participation by August 26, 2026
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The Application

  • Basic Info (name, email, UID, etc.)
  • 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 and provide networking practice while sharing relevant resources.

By Month & Year:

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
#1 – September Welcome & Orientation The Informational Interview Managing Your Public Digital Presence
#2 – October Defining Success Public Speaking, Part 1 – Best Practices Academic Job Market Planning and Timeline
#3 – November Exploring Different Academic Jobs Public Speaking, Part 2 – Practicum Job Talks, Part 1 – Best Practices
#4 – December December Social
#5 – January Writing an Effective Research Proposal Preventing & Coping with Burnout The Business of Research
#6 – February The Elevator Pitch Revisiting the Postdoc IDP Revisiting the Postdoc IDP
#7 – March March Social
#8 – April Setting and Enforcing Boundaries Navigating Laws & Policies to Build Inclusive Spaces Recruiting & Managing a Team
#9 – May Future Faculty Banquet
#10 – May Promoting your Research to Different Audiences Biographical Storytelling & Self-Marketing Job Talks, Part 2 – Developing Your Job Talk
#11 – June The Very Basics of Inclusion Flexibility & Career Pivoting Skills Reflection & Goal Setting
#12 – July Summer Social
Recommended Trainings

Contact Info