Postdoc to PI: Navigating Faculty Positions in the U.S
- Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2026
- Time: 16:00 – 17:00 GMT / 11:00 – 12:00 EST / 10:00 – 11:00 CST
- Register: Spaces are limited due to the nature of this webinar. Register now to secure your free place at the live session. Once all places are filled, you will be able to join a waiting list.
Following popular demand for webinars tailored to country-specific postdoc-to-PI pathways, this session focuses on the United States academic system, drawing on the experience of faculty members actively involved in hiring and mentoring.
Moving from postdoc to principal investigator is a major step in your academic career, and navigating the faculty job market can feel daunting, even if you have strong publication records and funding experience.
So, what do U.S. hiring committees look for when recruiting for a faculty position?
In this webinar, you’ll gain exclusive access to insider perspectives from two highly experienced researchers with extensive hiring, mentoring, and search committee experience. Professor Brian Mathur and Professor Nicholas Gilpin will share real-world guidance on what makes a competitive PI applicant, what hiring committees look for, and how you can best prepare for a faculty position within the U.S.
What you’ll gain from attending
- Insider insight into U.S. faculty career pathways
- A clearer understanding of what makes an application stand out
- Practical guidance on preparing for the U.S. faculty job market
- Honest perspectives on common strengths, weaknesses, and misconceptions
The session will be delivered as a guided, conversational discussion, followed by a live Q&A where you can ask candid questions about applications, interviews, and career transitions.
Who should attend?
Postdoctoral researchers and early-career scientists who are considering U.S. faculty positions, or who want a clearer understanding of how hiring decisions are made by academic search committees in the U.S.
Spaces are limited due to the nature of this webinar. Register now to secure your free place at the live session. Once all places are filled, you will be able to join a waiting list.
About Professor Brian Mathur
Dr. Brian N. Mathur is a tenured Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he leads research on basal ganglia and claustrum circuitry using advanced electrophysiological, optogenetic, and behavioural approaches. With extensive experience directing graduate programs, serving on study sections, and chairing faculty search committees, he brings deep, practical insight into how early‑career researchers can successfully navigate the transition to PI. A dedicated mentor to PhD students and postdocs, Dr. Mathur will share clear, practical advice on how hiring committees evaluate and select future PIs.
Professor Brian N. Mathur, University of Maryland School of Medicine
About Professor Nicholas Gilpin
Dr. Nicholas W. Gilpin is a Professor and Vice Chair of Research at LSU Health Sciences Center, where he directs the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of Excellence and leads NIH‑ and VA‑funded research programs in addiction, stress, pain, and neuropharmacology. With over two decades of experience building multi‑disciplinary research teams and serving on numerous NIH and VA study sections, he brings deep insight into what makes a competitive PI candidate. Dr. Gilpin has an extensive track record in mentoring postdocs and hiring early‑career scientists, offering a candid and practical perspective on navigating the transition from trainee to independent investigator.
Professor Nicholas W. Gilpin, LSU Health Sciences Center
About Dr Jake Aronowitz
Jake Aronowitz, PhD, is a Product Specialist at Scientifica with over 10 years of neuroscience research experience. With deep expertise in electrophysiology and experimental system design, Jake supports researchers in selecting, implementing, and optimising technologies for complex neuroscience applications. As host and facilitator, he brings a practical, research‑driven perspective to the discussion.
Dr Jake Aronowitz, Scientifica
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