The 2026 Rising Stars application will open in November, the nomination form will open in September!

Program Description

The UNC SOM’s Rising Stars Program’s main goal is to broaden participation among faculty members in the basic sciences. This professional development workshop series provides training to postdoctoral fellows to help them excel during the faculty interview process by exposing admitted fellows to the same components that they will experience during the faculty job interview process. This includes mock screening interviews, job talks, chalk talks, and multiple one-on-one faculty interviews. Participants will also attend workshops on the faculty environment and negotiating hiring packages as well as receive guidance on how to practice and prepare for a chalk talk. This program is sponsored by the Vice Dean for Research at UNC SOM and the Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development.

Please note, applications to the Rising Stars Program are neither an application for employment at UNC nor an interview for a faculty position.

Program Components

• The 2026 Rising Stars program will be held virtually
• Opportunities to complete mock screening interviews, job talks, and multiple one-on-one faculty interviews
• Workshops on the faculty environment, negotiating hiring packages, and guidance on chalk talk practice and preparation

2026 Program Schedule

• The anticipated timeline is as follows:
  • Application Deadline: February 15th, 2026
  • Awardee Selection & Notification: February – March 2026
  • Program Orientation (Virtual Series): March – April 2026
  • Virtual UNC Visit: Week of April 20th, 2026

Program Eligibility

• The Rising Stars Program (virtual visit) is open to all postdoctoral researchers, and we aim to prepare a broad pool of candidates for excellence in future faculty positions in academic research.
• External and internal postdocs to UNC are eligible to apply.
• Participating basic science departments are listed below:
  • Biochemistry and Biophysics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cell Biology and Physiology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology and Immunology
  • Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Social Medicine
  • NOTE: A list of all SOM Departments and Centers/Institutes can be found here.

Application Instructions

• Only online applications will be accepted. When completing the online application, please have the following materials available:
  • UPLOAD your most recent Curriculum Vitae. There is no page limit for this document.
  • UPLOAD a brief Research Statement that includes a (a) Description of your previous experience and predoctoral work (1-2 paragraphs), (b) Overview of your current project (2-3 paragraphs), and (c) Explains your broad area of research for development (propose the idea for the research program you hope to develop as a faculty). This document should be no longer than 3 pages, excluding references.
  • IDENTIFY the basic science departments (up to 3) with which your research best aligns.
  • UPLOAD a Leadership Statement that succinctly describes (up to 1 page) how your unique experience and perspective add value as a researcher and leader.
• Each uploaded document must be saved as a pdf and titled with the applicant’s name (i.e. JaneDoe_CV, JaneDoe_ResearchStatement, etc.).

Program Leadership Team

• Co-Directors: Dr. Ashalla Freeman and Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera
• Program Coordinator: Virginia Nadworny

Any questions about the program or application process can be addressed by Rising Star Leadership Team.