Academic Research: Alternatives to Tenure Track

Are you interested in academic research but unsure about opportunities beyond the tenure track? Join us for a panel discussion featuring research faculty and scientists who have built careers that leverage their passion for discovery and inquiry. Panelists will share insights into their roles, career paths, essential skills for success, and practical advice for navigating this career trajectory.

When: March 31, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Exposure Seminar Series - What can I do with my PhD?

Every Other Monday at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom

Expand Your Education - myCHOICE Mini-Courses

Friday, April 4 and Thursday, April 10

International graduate students and postdocs are encouraged to attend both GRADUCon and GRADUCon International. GRADUCon International—a sister event to GRADUCon—is a virtual career conference that helps you reflect upon and navigate your professional options. The event features panel discussions with UChicago alumni who have overcome limited immigration options and built careers in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Relevant Panels' Schedule

Friday, April 4, 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. CT

8:45-9:45 a.m.: Careers in Europe

 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: The U.S. Job Search (STEM)

Thursday, April 10, 8-9:00 p.m. CT

8:00-9:00 p.m.: Careers in Asia

Visit International GRADUCon webpage for more information and register here. 

This info session will feature information on Polsky programs for PhD students and postdocs at the University of Chicago, with a specific focus on the Commercialization Fellows Program and Polsky Science and Technology Associates.

In a 3MT competition, participants prepare a three-minute presentation about their research using only one static slide. The focus of their presentation should be their original research, pitched in an engaging way to a general audience that underlines the significance and impact of their work. A panel of judges will award cash prizes, with the first-place winner receiving $1000. This year's 3MT will take place in Ida Noyes Hall on Friday, May 2 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., with a light lunch reception following the competition. 

Go Abroad with Fulbright

Info Session 1
April 8 at 3:00 p.m., Virtual

Info Session 2
April 15 at 12:30 p.m., GRAD HQ

What exactly is 'the Fulbright'? How can a Fulbright help my career? Would I be a competitive applicant for this well-known fellowship? 

Whether interested in research, study or teaching abroad, the Fulbright is an opportunity to pursue your professional goals around the world. We will talk about the different types of Fulbright and what you can do to prepare for the next competition cycle.

Curious about funding for research projects and other academic goals, but not sure where to start?

Fellowships can enrich your career in academia (and beyond). They contribute to fieldwork expenses, research travel, conferences, language study, tuition, and many other academic funding needs.

Consulting Spring Training is a week-long event for graduate students and postdocs interested in careers in consulting. We begin with a session on the landscape of the consulting industry; offer workshops on resumes and cover letters, behavioral interviews, and case interviews; and finish the week with “Meet the Firms,” an opportunity for attendees to connect with recruiters and consultants from a variety of firms. Whether you are just starting to explore consulting or are working on job applications, this series can help you prepare for the next step in your process.

UChicagoGRAD’s career development team is a dedicated group of advisors and relationship builders. We are seeking a PhD student to support graduate students by providing individualized advising, and skill-building workshops while gaining experience and training in higher-education administration

National Community Investment Fund is a national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and impact investor with a mission to increase access to responsible financial products and services in underserved communities. NCIF is seeking a leader to help the development of a AI-driven data analytics platform. This platform will enable natural language querying of multiple databases, combining public, private, structured, and unstructured data. The successful candidate will be responsible for the end-to-end architecture, design, and development of this web-based application, ensuring it meets the highest standards of security, scalability, and performance.  The person is a member of the senior management team with strategic and transactional responsibilities.

The Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Research to serve as a member of the scientific directors, specifically the Director of Mass Spectrometry, research-track (non-tenure track) faculty in the Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research Center (IMSERC) facility, beginning on or before September 1, 2025. This position is a full-time, benefits eligible, 11-month, continuing faculty position with an initial appointment term of three years and with the possibility of promotion to Associate and Full Professor of Research as a career trajectory. 

UChicagoGRAD is giving away a free University of Chicago sweatshirt to all students who win external fellowships this academic year, while supplies last. If you’ve been notified that you've won an external fellowship between June 16, 2024 through June 15, 2025, complete our form to let us know. You will receive instructions for picking up your sweatshirt within 7 business days. 

*External fellowships include research grants, language grants, scholarships, and similar funding awarded by organizations outside the University of Chicago. Even if you turn down the fellowship, you can still get a sweatshirt! If you’re not sure whether your opportunity counts, report it anyway and we’ll follow up with you. 

Google PhD Fellowship

Deadline: April 15

Google PhD Fellowships directly support graduate students as they pursue their PhD, as well as connect them to a Google Research Mentor. The Google PhD Fellowship Program was created to recognize outstanding graduate students doing exceptional work in computer science and related research areas.

Schmidt Science Fellows Program

Deadline: April 15

Info Session 1
Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 3 a.m. Central; For students in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania

Info Session 2
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 10  a.m. Central; For students in Africa, Europe and North and South America

The Schmidt Science Fellows Program provides participants with a stipend of $110,000 to conduct a full-time, postdoctoral research study in a field-leading laboratory, focusing on a discipline in the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics or computing that is different from their existing area of expertise and planned future focus. In order to be eligible, individuals must have received or expect to receive a PhD between May 15, 2025 and June 30, 2026. International applicants may apply for this award.

National Research Council (NRC) Research Associateship Programs

Deadline: May 1

The NRC Research Associateship Programs (RAP) are prestigious postdoctoral and senior research awards designed to provide promising scientists and engineers with high-quality research opportunities at federal laboratories and affiliated institutions. These programs offer a comprehensive experience, including mentorship, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities to influence government policy, all geared toward enhancing the research career development of the Research Associates.

Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships

Deadline: May 7

The HFSP fellowship program supports proposals for frontier, potentially transformative research in the life sciences. Applications for high-risk projects are particularly encouraged. The projects should be interdisciplinary in nature and should challenge existing paradigms by using novel approaches and techniques. Scientifically, they should address an important problem or a barrier to progress in the field.

Doctoral Writing Room (New and Improved!)
Regenstein Library 354

Tucked in the third-floor stacks for quiet concentration, the new writing room for doctoral students offers updated lighting, tables, and chairs.

Covered drinks and snacks are allowed, but meals should be eaten elsewhere. Access can be gained daily by requesting a key from the circulation desk (just make sure to return it before the library closes).

Student Counseling Services: 773-702-3625
Staff and Faculty Assistance Program: 800-456-6327
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
UChicago Arts + Public Life: Free Virtual Events

Check out  LinkedIn Learning Services for free online training in thousands of subjects, which include Python, R, presentation skills, Adobe Suite, and much more!

Interstride: Discover jobs and internships in the US and around the world. Connect with your international community. Find resources to level up your global career.

UChicagoGRAD career advisors, resources, lounge, and parenting community
UChicago Learning Remotely resources
UChicago Remote Working Tips
myCHOICE Professional development Travel Award 

FitChicago: Channel that stress into free exercise classes, including strength training, yoga, zumba, and many more...

Questions? Email mychoice@uchicago.edu