Janelia group leaders are independent scientists who direct a team of researchers. By design, Janelia group leaders have time to focus their energy and creativity on research.
About the group leader position
Group Leaders are outstanding scientists and principal investigators who lead laboratories that develop new tools or methods or bring innovative approaches to the study of biological problems in Janelia’s Research Areas or Core Research Areas.
Group Leaders have time to focus their energy and creativity on research with the freedom to pursue long-term difficult projects through collaborative, interdisciplinary work. They are not evaluated solely on conventional academic measures, such as publishing. Rather, Group Leaders will be expected to make progress in their research areas and make contributions to the work of other Janelia scientists through collaboration, constructive criticism, or mentoring.
- 100% internal funding, no teaching requirements, highly collaborative environment.
- Small group size, and hands-on research is expected. Labs have 2 paid scientists in the first 5 years, 4 paid scientists in years 5-10.
- Lab capabilities are extended significantly by receiving thorough assistance from outstanding scientists in Janelia’s Support Teams.
- Excellent mentoring by senior advisors.
- Appointed for up to 10 years with a review at 5 years.
- Toward the end of the 10-year term, a group leader can apply for a HHMI Investigator position, which, if successful, can be transferred to eligible host institutions.
- If a review for a HHMI Investigator position is not successful, the group leader will receive a generous transition package that can be transferred to help start a lab at a new academic institution.
About the senior group leader position
Senior Group Leaders are outstanding scientists and principal investigators who lead laboratories that develop new tools or methods or bring innovative approaches to the study of biological problems in Janelia’s Research Areas or Core Research Areas.
Senior Group Leaders have time to focus their energy and creativity on research with the freedom to pursue long-term difficult projects through collaborative, interdisciplinary work. They are not evaluated solely on conventional academic measures, such as publishing. Rather, Senior Group Leaders will be expected to make progress in their research areas and make contributions to the work of other Janelia scientists through collaboration, constructive criticism, or mentoring.
Senior Group Leaders are expected to mentor early-career group leaders and to provide advice to the Head of the Research Area. Senior Group leaders must have a minimum of 10 years of experience running a research laboratory or equivalent
- 100% internal funding, no teaching requirements, highly collaborative environment.
- Small group size of 6 paid scientists; hands-on research is encouraged.
- Lab capabilities are extended significantly by receiving technical assistance from outstanding scientists in Janelia’s Support Teams.
- Review at 7 years. Most and are appointed for another 7-year term.
- After a minimum of 10 years of service at Janelia, a senior group leader can apply at a time for a HHMI Investigator position, which, if successful, can be transferred to eligible host institutions.
If a senior group leader term ends and review for a HHMI Investigator position is not successful, the group leader will receive a generous transition package that can be transferred to help start a lab at a new academic institution.
Research at Janelia
Mechanistic Cognitive Neuroscience
Research groups in MCN aim to discover the circuit dynamics, network architectures, neuronal biophysics, synaptic rules, and molecular pathways that enable cognition. We strive for tight ‘theory-experiment’ loops that involve the collaborative design of conceptual frameworks, experiments, and analyses that unravel the complexities of behavior and its neural implementation. We particularly encourage applications from scientists who are interested in developing new approaches to expose how rodents, fish, and flies build and use internal models to produce flexible behavior in dynamic and uncertain environments.
4D Cellular Physiology
Janelia is starting a new 15-year research area, called 4D Cellular Physiology. Our goal will be to understand the function, structure, and modes of communication of cells in organs and tissues with an aim of expanding our understanding of cells and how they collectively give rise to the physiological functions of the body.
Molecular Tools and Imaging
MTI seeks tool-builders who are independent experts in a range of physical, chemical, and biological disciplines to develop creative solutions for problems in biology. Current tool-builders at Janelia develop microscopes that allow imaging of biological systems with unprecedented resolution and depth as well as new imaging agents that enable measurement of phenomena inside cells or animals.
Computation and Theory
Our computational scientists develop machine vision and learning algorithms to analyze and interpret raw data across spatial and temporal scales. Our theorists develop theoretical frameworks and data-driven computational models to distill general principles that govern how and why biological systems operate the way they do.
Collaboration is a key value at Janelia. Researchers whose work spans the interface between our research areas are always encouraged to apply.
We're Hiring
Mechanistic Cognitive Neuroscience
We are recruiting for a Group Leader position in the Mechanistic Cognitive Neuroscience (MCN) research area.
We’re looking for an early-career scientist interested in gaining insights into the neural underpinnings of cognition using flies or fish as model organisms.
To learn more about the application materials and apply, go to our application portal.
If you have questions about the application process, contact Zarixia Zavala-Ruiz, Director of Scientific Programs.