Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of developing various cancers over an individual's lifetime. These genetic alterations not only affect the cancer cells themselves but also influence the tumor microenvironment, the immune system, and overall patient health. To address the wide range of challenges associated with BRCA1/2 mutations and related cancers, it is crucial to cultivate a new generation of researchers dedicated to this field. Our goal is to train investigators across a spectrum of disciplines, including basic and translational science, implementation and behavioral science, preventive medicine, bioinformatics, and clinical trials.
Program Overview
In addition to full-time effort in the selected laboratory, the postdoctoral fellows will engage in a program designed to foster connections among the fellows, forge collaborations, establish professional networks, and appreciate the clinical aspects of BRCA1/2-associated disease. These activities will include monthly Basser Center seminars, weekly Distinguished Lectures in Cancer Research Seminar Series, meetings for the Penn Center for Genome Integrity and the Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, as well as opportunities to participate in clinical conferences and observe patient care with the goal of incorporating clinical outcomes into their research.
Program Proposal
Basser Postdoctoral Fellowship Program fellows will be offered salaries of $80,000 per year. Standard Penn postdoctoral benefits will be provided as outlined by the Penn Biomedical Postdoctoral Program (BPP) and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, fertility benefit, prescription drug coverage, and behavioral health benefits. An additional $20,000 per year will be provided to the BPFP Fellow to advance their research. Fellows will be supported to attend one national meeting per year. An annual progress report will be required prior to awarding subsequent years of funding. Each postdoctoral trainee will have a mentorship committee, and will be expected to participate in all activities of the Basser Center and Gray Foundation, as well as group trainee activities to facilitate cross-collaborate between laboratories at Penn. Years 1-3 will be funded, with an expectation that BPFP fellow will obtain funding for Years 4 &5, as well as additional support from their laboratory PI.
Basser Center Laboratories
Postdoctoral candidates will select a Basser Center Core laboratory where they will conduct their postdoctoral training. Interested applicants should directly contact Penn investigators involved in BRCA1/2 research.
Application Process
Applications will be due on May 30, 2025 by 5:00 PM ET, for a September 1, 2025 start date.
Applicants will need to provide:
- Two-page research interests with relationship to BRCA1/2
- Applicant biosketch
- Two independent letters of references
- Letter of agreement from mentor that they would work with at Penn
Preference is given to applicants completing their PhD training or the clinical component of their MD fellowship. The entirety of the fellowship must be completed within 5 years of awarding the PhD or completing of the residency for MDs.
Applications must be prepared using standard word processing software, combining all documents mentioned above into one single PDF for upload/submission onto the portal:
Application Review and Notification
Postdoctoral candidates will be reviewed by a committee Comprised of senior leaders at Penn.
Contact
For questions relating to the Basser Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, please contact Heather Symecko, Basser Center for BRCA Executive Director of Administration, by filling out the information below.