Discover Symposium

The DISCOVER symposium is designed to identify talent and build a supportive, collaborative, and welcoming community.

Future postdoctoral candidates will be invited to the Salk Institute to present their research, connect with other trainees, participate in various professional development workshops and panels, and network with potential Salk faculty advisors to facilitate mentor-mentee pairing opportunities across disciplines of biology, a format not typically found in traditional postdoctoral interview formats.

The Discover Symposium program will consist of a 3-day, all-expenses-paid program from July 23-25, 2025.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

This opportunity is open to current PhD students, ideally those 1-2 years from starting their postdoctoral training, or recent PhD grads who are seeking their first postdoc position.

Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This program aims to build and sustain a strong biomedical research pipeline to advance the Institute's mission for training the next generation of bold, innovative scientists.

Applicants must complete a brief online application and submit the following documents: