The UNC School of Medicine Office of Research invites applications from postdoctoral fellows to serve as the Smithies Postdoctoral Chair for the next Oliver Smithies Nobel Laureate Symposium.
About the Symposium
The Oliver Smithies Nobel Laureate Symposium is a signature, full day event that honors the legacy of Nobel Laureate Dr. Oliver Smithies and brings a distinguished Nobel Laureate to UNC Chapel Hill. The Symposium engages postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, faculty, and the broader research community through a keynote lecture and associated events held throughout the day.
Role of the Smithies Postdoctoral Chair
One postdoctoral fellow is selected to serve as Chair of the Oliver Smithies Nobel Laureate Symposium and the Postdoctoral Planning Committee. This role offers a high impact leadership opportunity to help plan a flagship scientific event and to interact closely with an invited Nobel Laureate. The Postdoctoral Chair invites Nobel Laureates to participate, leads and coordinates the postdoctoral planning committee, provides overall oversight of Symposium planning, works closely with the School of Medicine Office of Research and faculty leadership, and introduces the Nobel Laureate at the keynote seminar. Postdoctoral fellows from across UNC–Chapel Hill and representing a wide variety of academic disciplines are encouraged to participate and apply.
Serving as Smithies Postdoctoral Chair is a meaningful service commitment that spans several months of preparation and a full day of Symposium events. Applicants should be prepared for active participation in planning meetings and hands-on involvement in event execution before and during the Symposium.
The Symposium is administered by Dr. Janelle Cross, Associate Director of the School of Medicine Office of Research, and advised by Dr. Kathleen Caron, Professor and Chair of the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, who serves as faculty lead.
Application Materials
Interested postdoctoral fellows should submit the following by June 5, 2026:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Interest: Maximum 500 words. The statement should address:
- Why you want to serve as Smithies Postdoctoral Chair
- Why you are well suited for this leadership role
- Prior service, leadership, committee, or community roles you have held
- New ideas or perspectives you would bring to the Symposium
- Advisor Confirmation Required: Applicants must clearly state that they have discussed applying for this role with their postdoctoral advisor and that their advisor is supportive of their application. Applications without this confirmation will not be considered.
Questions
Questions about the role or application process may be directed to Dr. Janelle Cross.