
Janelia Group Leaders are outstanding scientists 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.
Appointment Overview
- 100% internal funding
- No teaching with minimal administrative duties
- Small group size with hands-on research is expected
- Up to 10-year term with 5-year review
- Outstanding support teams and mentoring
How it works
Appointment & term
- Appointed for up to 10 years with a review at five years.
Funding & support
- 100% internal funding.
- Extended lab capabilities through the assistance from outstanding scientists in Janelia’s Support Teams.
- Excellent mentoring by senior advisors.
- No teaching with minimal administrative duties.
Lab size & expectations
- Small group size with hands-on research is expected.
- Two paid scientists in the first five years and four paid scientists in years 5–10.
Who you are
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You are a late-stage graduate student, postdoctoral associate, early-career faculty member, or industry professional who is enthusiastic about taking charge of a small lab within an inspiring and collaborative environment
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You have a big idea or a meaningful problem to solve to make a transformative change in your field
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You want to focus your energy and creativity to pursue long-term difficult projects through collaborative, interdisciplinary work
What you'll do
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Lead a small, hands-on lab in Janelia's Computation & Theory research area
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Develop innovative tools, methods or approaches to biological problems
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Collaborate across disciplines and with Support Teams
Application timeline
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Applications are due on November 4, 2025
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Finalists must interview in-person at Janelia on February 5-6, 2026 to be considered
"Janelia’s unique strength is the tight collaboration between theorists, experimentalists, computational scientists, and engineers... At Janelia, we can do it all."
Stephan Saalfeld, Head of Computation & Theory
Take the next step
Learn about our research
Apply to lead a C&T lab
Explore other opportunities
Program Administration

Senior Director, Janelia Scientific Programs and Training
Zarixia Zavala-Ruiz

Senior Scientific Program Manager
Dominika Braverman