Scientists at Janelia work together in multidisciplinary teams to solve challenging biological problems that are difficult to address in other research settings.

Many lab spaces at Janelia feature modular designs and natural light.

Credit: Brad Feinknopf

Occupying 689 wooded acres along the Potomac River, Janelia Farm provides a variety of services and facilities to support its diverse community of scientists and staff—inside and outside the lab.

A view of the Janelia Farm Research Campus at dusk.

Credit: Brad Feinknopf

The Janelia Farm model frees scientists of constraints commonly found in other research environments, providing access to world-class resources and a talented support staff.

Graduate scholar John Tuthill prepares a Drosophila specimen for imaging.

Credit: James Kegley

In addition to our resident scientists and fellows, we offer visiting scientists, graduate, and undergraduate candidates a range of scientific programs.

Graduate scholar Arbora Resulaj (left) and her mentor, Janelia Fellow Dmitry Rinberg (right).

Credit: James Kegley

Janelia Farm regularly hosts scientific meetings, ranging from workshops to intensive, specialized conferences. See what's coming up and visit the archive of past events.

Janelia's large auditorium seats 250 people.

Credit: Matt Staley

Janelia provides outstanding employment opportunities, at all levels.

Credit: James Kegley

Many tools developed in Janelia Farm labs are made freely available to outside researchers, while others are taking shape through collaborations with industry, academia, and government.

A virtual arena for the study of flight in insects.

Credit: James Kegley

Janelia’s sense of community comes from a core belief that people of diverse disciplines and backgrounds can accomplish great things when working with a common purpose.

Research specialist Trevor Wardill (left) and group leader Vivek Jayaraman (right).

Credit: James Kegley

Research Positions

Position Overview

We encourage applications from scientists at all career stages: from those just finishing their graduate degrees to senior, established scientists.

We invite applications from biochemists, biologists, chemists, computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, neurobiologists and physicists who are passionate in their pursuit of important problems in basic scientific and technical research.

All laboratories are internally funded without extramural grants. Scientists at Janelia have no formal teaching duties and minimal administrative responsibilities. They are expected to engage in the direct conduct of research and in intellectual interaction with their colleagues. Individual research groups are limited in size, comprising postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and technicians. Janelia Farm hosts conferences and Group Leaders are encouraged to organize meetings in their areas of interest. A central objective of Janelia Farm is to free scientists to focus on their research and minimize distractions. The infrastructure of the campus is designed to support the creativity, insight, courage, experimental skill, and effort of the resident scientists.

Group Leaders and Fellows must spend at least 75 percent of their professional time focused on research at the Janelia Farm campus. The remaining 25 percent of their time may be spent on other scientific activities, such as attending conferences, reviewing for journals or grant agencies, and giving outside seminars. They may also use part of this time to consult for industry. Janelia Farm Group Leaders, Fellows, and Junior Fellows are subject to the same policies regarding outside activities that apply to host-based HHMI investigators.

Group Leaders

Group leaders are independent scientists, similar to HHMI investigators, with laboratories of up to six additional members. Their initial appointment is for six years. Thereafter, Group Leaders are reviewed for reappointment every five years.

A Group Leader position will be attractive if you want to:

spend most of your time doing direct research
supervise a small group
have outstanding resources and support services
hear about your colleagues' work
collaborate with scientists outside your own area
eliminate teaching, grant writing, and administrative responsibilities
attend some of the best scientific conferences without traveling

There are two application deadlines per year. The first competition opens on March 1 and closes July 15. The second opens September 1 and closes November 15.

Required documents for application:

Curriculum vitae
Research statement (less than 3,000 words)
Collaboration plan (less than 1,000 words)
Publications (three maximum)
Three references

Apply here

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Fellows

Fellows are independent scientists with laboratories of up to two additional members. The fellowship is for a five-year term and is not usually renewable.

Fellows may apply for a Group Leader position at any time. Janelia Farm fellows are expected to:

be actively engaged in research on campus for not less than 75 percent of their professional time
bring their full creativity and attention to their work
use wisely the unparalleled level of resources and support provided at Janelia Farm
be collaborative with colleagues and supportive of their work
demonstrate respect for everyone with whom they work and professionalism in all situations
exercise the highest level of ethics at all times

Curriculum vitae
Research statement (less than 3,000 words)
Collaboration plan (less than 1,000 words)
Publications (three maximum)
Three references

Applications are no longer being accepted. The application will reopen March 1, 2012.

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Jr. Fellows

We are looking for enterprising scientists at an early career stage to join Janelia Farm's collaborative research environment. Junior fellows are postdoctoral fellows who develop their own research programs and work with minimal direct advising.

Janelia Farm is an exciting and intense environment. Working and living at Janelia offer a variety of amenities and conveniences, and provides an exceptional opportunity for scientists interested in cutting-edge research.

If you have any questions about a Junior Fellow position, please contact Zarixia Zavala-Ruiz, Ph.D. -- Science Program Manager for Scientific Recruiting.

HHMI is now accepting applications for Junior Fellows at the Janelia Farm Research Campus. The deadline for all materials, including letters of reference, is March 01, 2012, 02:00 PM EST.

To begin, visit the online application here.

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Postdoctoral Associates

Postdoctoral associates work in the laboratories of Janelia Farm group leaders and fellows. Appointments are made for a one year period and may extend for a total of five years.

Recruitment for postodoctoral associates is ongoing. Please send correspondence to individual group leaders or fellows to get more information about potential postdoctoral positions in their labs.

Completed applications are reviewed regularly for postdoctoral associates.

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Other Positions

Various other positions

Position openings for Project Scientists, Program Managers, Research Specialists and Research Technicians will be posted here

For information on how to apply to Janelia’s graduate program
For information on how to apply to Janelia’s undergraduate program

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Position Overview

Group Leaders

Fellows

Jr. Fellows

Postdoctoral Associates

Other Positions

Program Administration