The Monell Chemical Senses Center is a nonprofit, basic research institute dedicated to the study of taste, smell, chemesthesis, and appetite. Founded in 1968, the Center is located near the campuses of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University in Philadelphia. Research focuses on understanding how the chemical senses function and their importance in everyday life.
Positions are currently available for interdisciplinary training and research in our four broad research aims: sensory nutrition, disease diagnosis/treatment, smell/taste loss, and digitizing smells/tastes. Approaches include clinical medicine, chemistry, biochemistry, organismal and molecular biology, animal and human psychophysics, organ- and neurophysiology, including single cell, whole nerve and in situ brain recordings, neuroanatomy, experimental psychology, environmental sampling, and human-exposure assessment. A background in chemosensory research is not required.
This application portal is for all postdoctoral applications.
One funding opportunity for postdoctoral fellows in all areas of chemosensory research is available through a National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirshchenstein NRSA Institutional Research Training Grant (T32).
The goal of this grant is to provide interdisciplinary training in the chemical senses (i.e., taste, smell, and chemesthesis) for scientists coming from a wide range of disciplines. This includes providing the tools necessary for trainees to gain independence: a strong scientific environment, committed faculty mentors, and didactic course work in appropriate areas. To be eligible for T32 funding, applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen U.S. nationals, or those lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Additional support comes from grants to individuals and unrestricted funds available to the Center.
Check out https://monell.org/postdoctoral/ for more information on postdoctoral training at Monell Chemical Senses Center.
Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree is required. Many applicants come from fields outside the chemical senses. A background in chemosensory research is not required.
Strong self-motivation, an interest in obtaining new skills, and a desire to work in a multidisciplinary environment are highly valued.
Applicants should prepare the following materials:
Monell Chemical Senses Center shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.
The Monell Center is an independent non-profit science institute that conducts basic research on the chemical senses. A leader in scientific discovery, Monell's world-class scientists advance understanding of taste and smell to benefit human health and well-being. The Center’s outstanding interdisciplinary research programs incorporate approaches that range from molecular biology to behavioral neuroscience, from analytical chemistry to comparative sensory ecology and clinical work with human patients.
