Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Number employed: 19,000 faculty and staff

Contact details:
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1530 3rd Avenue S., Shelby 171, Birmingham, AL 35294-2182
www.postdocs.uab.edu
205-975-7020 or 205-975-7021

About us:
University of Alabama at Birmingham - In just four decades, this young, dynamic university has evolved into a world-renowned research university and medical center. With more than 18,000 students, 19,000 faculty and staff, and a campus covering more than 80 city blocks, UAB is on the leading edge of teaching, research, health care, and community service. The Office of Postdoctoral Education (OPE) was established in 1999, making it one of the first universities to establish an office devoted to postdocs.

UAB was # five on the list of the top 40 Best Places to Work in US academic Institutions for 2010. In funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), UAB ranks 20th overall earning more than $470 million per year in contract and grant support. The Carnegie Foundation classifies UAB “very high” in research activity, which puts UAB among the nation’s top 95 research universities, public or private.

MERIT - Mentioned Experiences in Research, Instruction, and Teaching Program

The MERIT Award is a newly funded Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) from the Division of Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE) at NIH/NIGMS. The award provides UAB postdoctoral scholars with outstanding research and teaching experiences while improving the recruitment of underrepresented minorities into the field of biomedical research. For graduate students interested in teaching and research in a postdoctoral position, see http://iracda.meritprogram.org for more information.

Key attractions:
UAB is committed to the development and success of postdoctoral scientists. Competitive terms, benefits and training programs for the university’s 300+ postdocs have been established. Every postdoc receives medical insurance, single or family, provided at no cost to them. Depending on funding, matching retirement may be available. Monthly workshops on subjects of interest, several award opportunities, and grant writing and other courses provided at no charge are just some of the career development/training opportunities available to all postdocs. Innovative research opportunities, top 20 NIH funding, and competitive salaries and benefits makes UAB an outstanding choice among postdoctoral fellows as a place to work, live and succeed.

Main recruitment areas:
Graduate students in their last year to two years of study are encouraged to review the research publications of UAB faculty members, which interest them. Topics in the variety of disciplines at UAB include dentistry, engineering, health professions, medicine, natural sciences, mathematics, public health, optometry, and social and behavioral sciences.