Research Fellow Jobs
Research Fellow jobs are open across universities, research hospitals, government agencies, and private think tanks, from postdoctoral and junior fellows through senior and principal investigator levels, with specializations in biomedical science, social policy, and computational research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Women’s Health – San Francisco VA / UCSF
San Francisco VA Health Care System | University of California, San Francisco
Location: San Francisco, CaliforniaAppointment: Full-time, two-year fellowshipApplication cycle: 2027–2028Compensation: [Insert approved VA fellowship stipend range]
About the Fellowship
The San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), in affiliation with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), is accepting applications for its Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship in Women’s Health.
This interdisciplinary, two-year fellowship prepares physicians, psychologists, and other doctoral-level researchers for independent careers in women’s health research, clinical care, and academic medicine.
Fellows receive individualized mentorship from established investigators across multiple research programs at SFVAHCS and UCSF. The program is designed to support each fellow’s research interests, scientific development, and long-term career goals.
Research Areas
Opportunities span a wide range of women’s health topics, including:
- Reproductive and midlife health: Menopause, ovarian aging, reproductive health, and hormonal influences on health.
- Cancer and prevention: Breast cancer risk, screening, prevention, and epidemiology.
- Mental health: PTSD, depression, trauma exposure, substance use, and mental health treatment.
- Cardiovascular and metabolic health: Cardiovascular risk, aging, osteoporosis, and related health outcomes.
- Sleep and biological mechanisms: Insomnia, psychophysiology, neuroendocrinology, inflammation, and sex differences in health.
- Other women’s health concerns: Urinary incontinence, chronic pain, and related conditions.
Fellows can pursue projects within a single research area or collaborate across disciplines, drawing on existing datasets, ongoing studies, and opportunities for new research.
Fellowship Training and Career Development
The fellowship provides mentored research and education, with clinical training opportunities for eligible fellows.
Training opportunities include:
- Developing and conducting independent research projects.
- Analyzing clinical, epidemiological, and biological datasets.
- Preparing first-author manuscripts and scientific presentations.
- Developing competitive research grants and career development awards.
- Participating in research seminars, workshops, and UCSF coursework.
- Receiving individualized mentorship and guidance toward an independent academic or research career.
Clinically qualified fellows may spend up to 25% of their time in supervised clinical activities, including care for women Veterans, depending on professional background and individualized training goals.
Mentorship and Research Environment
The program is co-directed by Karla Kerlikowske, MD, and Sabra Inslicht, PhD, and provides access to multidisciplinary faculty mentors across SFVAHCS and UCSF.
The San Francisco VA offers a substantial research infrastructure, a strong academic partnership with UCSF, and opportunities to collaborate with investigators across women’s health, primary care, psychiatry, epidemiology, and clinical research.
Fellows are encouraged to pursue their own research interests and identify mentors whose expertise best aligns with their goals.
Eligibility
Applicants must have:
- An MD with completed approved residency training; or
- A PhD in clinical or counseling psychology, nursing, neuroscience, epidemiology, health psychology, data science, or another relevant allied health field.
Clinical and counseling psychology applicants must have completed an APA-accredited doctoral program and APA-accredited internship.
All doctoral requirements must be completed before the fellowship begins. U.S. citizenship is required for the VA appointment.
Both clinical and nonclinical researchers are encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit:
- A letter of interest describing research experience, research interests, career goals, and potential faculty mentor(s).
- A curriculum vitae.
- Three letters of recommendation, including at least two from current or recent research mentors.
Please combine the letter of interest and CV into a single PDF. Recommendation letters should be sent directly by the recommenders in accordance with program instructions.
For psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience applicants:
Sabra Inslicht, PhD: Sabra.Inslicht@va.gov
For medicine and other allied health applicants:
Karla Kerlikowske, MD: Karla.Kerlikowske@va.gov
For further information about the fellowship, visit:
https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/fellowship/
Applications are being accepted for the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle. Contact the program for current review dates.
Help advance women’s health research and improve care for women Veterans through interdisciplinary research, mentorship, and clinical training.
Pay: $68,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
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Find Research Fellow JobsResearch Fellow Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Northeastern University36
- Mayo Clinic31
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute17
- MD Anderson Cancer Center15
- Massachusetts General Physicians Organization11
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services14
- Education12
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
- Science & Research1
- Hospitality & Tourism1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research fellow jobs.
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field such as biology, public policy, economics, or computer science
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication or equivalent research output
- Proficiency with statistical or data analysis software such as R, Python, Stata, or SPSS
- Experience designing and executing independent research projects from conception through dissemination
- Ability to apply for and manage external grants or fellowships
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to academic and non-specialist audiences
Tips for Your Research Fellow Job Search
Tailor your CV to the fellowship type
Academic and industry research fellow roles weight different things. For academic posts, lead with publications, conference presentations, and grant history. For industry or policy roles, move methodology skills and applied project outcomes to the top of your CV.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research fellow openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Signal your methodological range clearly
Hiring committees scan for specific techniques, whether that's CRISPR, econometric modeling, or mixed-methods qualitative work. Name your methods explicitly in your research statement and CV, not just in the context of a single project.
Request informational meetings with active fellows
Most fellowship programs prefer candidates who understand the lab or team culture before applying. Reach out to current fellows at your target institutions to ask about research direction, collaboration norms, and unwritten expectations for the role.
Prepare a research talk that fits a 20-minute slot
Most research fellow interviews include a job talk. Committees almost always run short on time, so prepare a version that lands your key findings and future directions in 20 minutes, not 45, even if you are told you have more time.
Negotiate startup funds before accepting an offer
Research fellow offers at universities and institutes often include discretionary startup or professional development funds that are not mentioned upfront. Ask about equipment budgets, conference travel allowances, and research assistant support before you sign.
Research Fellow Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research fellows?
Northeastern University, Mayo Clinic, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are hiring the most research fellows right now, with openings concentrated in Massachusetts, Texas, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is particularly strong in research-intensive sectors including academic medicine, federal agencies, and technology-adjacent think tanks.
How many research fellow jobs are remote?
About 32% of research fellow openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies considerably by discipline. Policy research, data-driven social science, and computational biology roles are the most likely to offer remote arrangements, while wet-lab and clinical research positions almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a research fellow?
Most research fellow positions require completing a doctoral degree and publishing original research in peer-reviewed outlets. From there, you apply directly to posted openings or respond to faculty recruiting announcements, submitting a CV, research statement, writing samples, and letters of recommendation. Some fellowships have competitive cohort application cycles with set deadlines, while others are filled on a rolling basis by individual principal investigators.
Can you get a research fellow role with little experience?
Yes, entry-level and junior research fellow positions exist specifically for candidates early in their research careers, including those finishing a doctorate or completing a master's degree with a strong thesis. Strengthening your application means leading with any first-authored publications, presenting at conferences, and demonstrating hands-on experience with the methods the team uses, even if your overall publication list is short.
What does the research fellow interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a screening call with a hiring manager or faculty supervisor, followed by a formal job talk where you present your current research and future directions to the broader team or department. A panel interview with senior researchers and potential collaborators usually follows, and some programs include a written research proposal or a discussion of how your work fits the lab's ongoing projects.
Where can I find and apply to research fellow jobs?
You can find and apply to research fellow jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from institutions and organizations across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your discipline and experience level, then apply directly to each position that fits.
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