L-R: Drs. Sinduja Marx, Akinsola Oyelakin, and Jim Olson

Invent at Seattle Children’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program

The Invent Postdoctoral Scholars Program at Seattle Children’s is an investment in training early career scientists who are passionate about discovering novel therapeutics that could benefit children and young adults. Scholars will receive support to create new “discovered here” cellular, gene or protein therapeutics that ultimately advance to clinical trials for children, all while preparing for careers in the biotech industry or academia.

Program at a Glance

  • $45 million committed to educating postdoctoral scholars, with a pledge by Seattle Children’s to raise an additional $10 million
  • Approximately 50 postdoctoral scholarships will be offered during the first five years.
  • Recruiting efforts focused on building a community of scholars who are committed to ensuring that scientific advancements and biomedical research benefit everyone.
  • $80,000/year starting salary plus benefits
  • Relocation support within policy guidelines
  • $10,000 professional development fund for each scholar
  • Educational opportunities through the University of Washington; University of California, San Diego; and Invent at Seattle Children’s programming
  • Each scholar has a laboratory, clinical and biotech mentor
  • $5 million available for technology commercialization grants
  • Initial appointment is for three years
  • Funding opportunities in years four and five to bridge to company formation or faculty positions
  • Support for patenting, licensing and biotech company formation  

Invent at Seattle Children’s Yields Results

Seattle Children’s unique postdoctoral program invests in early career scientists who are passionate about discovering novel therapeutics.

Learn More

To learn more about this unique program, fill out an interest form to be invited to our next information session. Following the meeting, attendees will receive a link to apply to the program.

Get Started

Opportunities for Professional Development

Learning outside the lab is a critical component of the Invent at Seattle Children’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program. Scholars will spend up to 20% of their time completing coursework and participating in professional development activities that will help them learn the business side of biotechnology. Each scholar will receive career development funds to support their coursework, conference attendance, and professional development activities.

Scholars can select coursework that can be tailored to their specific interests and long-term goals. Examples of Invent@SC vetted coursework that scholars may consider include: 

  • Health Innovation Practicum: In-person overview course offered by the University of Washington and taught by Dr. Will Canestaro. The Health Innovation Practicum course organizes students into cross-disciplinary teams around project concepts that present solutions to classmates and a panel of experts.
  • Drug discovery and development​ and intellectual property: Through a partnership with the University of California San Diego, scholars can select online courses that are of interest from the Drug Discovery and Development program and the Intellectual Property Certificate program.
  • Regulatory affairs: Scholars can select online coursework offered by the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society to further build their knowledge base. The flexible certificate program is comprehensive and customizable and can be completed in a few months.
  • Biotech workshops: Invent@SC regularly offers workshops featuring investors, biotech lawyers, and company founders who share their experience and expertise. The overarching goal is to connect scholars with experts who can help them build networks or launch companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Am I eligible?

    Invent@SC seeks candidates who are enthused about focusing on a “discovered here” pediatric therapeutic product that has potential to advance to human clinical trials. There are three eligibility criteria. Candidates must meet one of the criteria in order to be eligible to apply.

    1. Candidates currently enrolled in a graduate program must be within six months of their PhD defense, with the defense date scheduled.
    2. Candidates with a PhD can apply up to three years following their PhD defense provided they have not held a faculty position. If this applies to you or if there are other extenuating circumstances regarding your eligibility, please provide relevant information in the “Anything else you would like us to know?” section of the application.
    3. Candidates already employed as a postdoctoral scholar are eligible to apply to transfer to Invent@SC and continue with their current lab mentor and project only if they are employed by Seattle Children's Research Institute, are within six months of hire, and provided their project is focused on a “discovered here” pediatric therapeutic product that has potential to advance to human clinical trials.
    4. Candidates who have been employed at the research institute as a postdoc for more than six months with projects focused on a “discovered here” pediatric therapeutic product that has potential to advance to human clinical trials are not eligible for Invent@SC salary support but are invited to apply to the program as affiliate members.
    5. Candidates currently employed as a postdoctoral scholar at other institutions are not eligible for Invent@SC unless they are seeking a new project and lab mentor.
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  • Do I need to be a U.S. citizen or hold a green card to become part of the program?

    No, candidates do not need to be U.S. citizens or hold green cards. We recruit the best and brightest scientists from all over the world. Visa support is provided on an as-needed basis.

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  • Can I apply before I finish grad school?

    Yes, you may apply up to 6 months before your planned thesis defense date.

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  • What happens if I am accepted before I finish my graduate program?

    We will hold your spot for approximately three months after your dissertation date. If you need to stay in your graduate school lab for a longer period to complete a manuscript, please email us to request a delayed start date.

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  • What if I am accepted into the program and still want to look at other postdoc possibilities?

    We want scholars in the program to be here by choice. An acceptance to the program does not obligate you to join the program – you are encouraged to look at other possibilities and make the right choice for you. Typically, we will hold your spot for up to 90 days.

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  • What if the lab or project is not a good fit for me?

    Applicants are admitted to the Invent at Seattle Children’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program, not to an individual lab. If a lab or project is not working out, scholars are welcome to reach out to the program director or program manager to seek either resolution of specific problems or a transfer to a different laboratory.

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  • What is the duration of funding?

    The program commits to providing three years of salary and benefits contingent on adequate progress each year. Progress will be evaluated by scholars and mentors with final decisions made by the program director and program leadership team.

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  • Is there a possibility of funding for years 4 or 5?

    Scholars who are on track to establish a biotech company may apply for Washington Research Foundation funding for years 4 or 5 during which time they can focus on company-formation activities such as preparing and pitching concepts to potential investors, seeking regulatory or manufacturing guidance, writing small business grants or developing a clinical plan. With mutual consent, the scholar is welcome to continue conducting experiments or managing experiments in the mentor’s lab.

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  • Are expenses involved in moving to Seattle reimbursable?

    Yes, to a limit. Please contact us for information about relocation support.

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  • Can I apply for affiliate membership in Invent at Seattle Children’s?

    Postdoctoral scholars working at Seattle Children’s Research Institute can apply for affiliate membership if they are working on “Discovered Here” therapeutic candidates that have potential to evolve into agents that will be tested in children through human clinical trials. See more details about eligibility and an application.

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  • What are the benefits of affiliate membership in Invent at Seattle Children’s?

    Postdoctoral scholars with affiliate membership receive up to $10,000 for professional development prorated over a maximum of three years, matching with a biotech and clinical mentor and the opportunity to participate in educational and professional development events hosted by Invent at Seattle Children’s and its partners.

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