Working at Mayo, your next career step!

Overview of Mayo Graduate School and Its Career Landscape

Mayo Graduate School, officially the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MCGSBS), is a premier institution dedicated to advanced training in biomedical research. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, it is tightly integrated with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, providing unparalleled access to clinical resources and cutting-edge facilities. Jobs at Mayo Graduate School primarily revolve around research, education, and administration in fields like biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, neuroscience, and virology. These roles attract top talent seeking to contribute to transformative medical discoveries that directly impact patient care.

The school's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration means professionals work alongside clinicians, fostering translational research that bridges lab discoveries to real-world applications. Rochester's campus, part of the larger Mayo Clinic ecosystem, offers a supportive environment for academic careers, with opportunities for research jobs that emphasize innovation and mentorship.

History of Mayo Graduate School

Established in 1961 as the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, it evolved into the current form to focus on PhD training. Over decades, it has trained thousands of scientists, many becoming leaders in academia and industry. Key milestones include the development of signature programs in cancer biology and regenerative medicine, supported by NIH funding exceeding $100 million annually for Mayo Clinic research. This history underscores a commitment to excellence, making jobs at Mayo Graduate School highly sought after for those passionate about biomedical advancement.

Types of Jobs Available at Mayo Graduate School

Career opportunities span graduate student positions, postdoctoral fellowships, faculty appointments, research associates, and administrative roles. Graduate students pursue PhD programs, while postdocs engage in independent research under mentors. Faculty jobs involve leading labs and teaching, often requiring a track record of publications in high-impact journals like Nature or Cell. For a full list of university job types, including postdoc and faculty positions, explore our resources.

• PhD Student Positions: Fully funded with stipends around $40,000/year.
• Postdoctoral Fellows: Focus on specialized research projects.
• Research Faculty: Tenure-track roles in departments like Immunology.
• Staff Scientists: Support lab operations and experiments.
• Administrative Roles: Oversee programs and recruitment.

Definitions

To understand jobs at Mayo Graduate School, key terms include:

• Postdoctoral Fellow (Postdoc): A temporary research position for recent PhD graduates to gain advanced training, typically 2-5 years, focusing on independent projects.
• Translational Research: The process of turning basic scientific discoveries into clinical applications, central to Mayo's model.
• Biomedical Sciences: The study of biological processes in health and disease, encompassing molecular to systems biology.
• NIH Grant: Funding from the National Institutes of Health, crucial for research sustainability.

Required Academic Qualifications, Research Focus, Preferred Experience, Skills, and Competencies

🔬 Jobs at Mayo Graduate School demand rigorous qualifications. For research roles, a PhD in a relevant field such as biomedical sciences, biology, or chemistry is essential. MD/PhD holders are preferred for clinician-scientist positions.

Research focus areas include immunology (studying immune responses to diseases), neuroscience (brain disorders like Alzheimer's), and cancer biology (targeted therapies). Preferred experience encompasses 3+ years of postdoctoral work, first-author publications (aim for 5+ in top journals), and successful grant applications, like R01 NIH grants averaging $500,000 over 5 years.

Key skills and competencies:

• Technical: PCR, next-generation sequencing, animal models.
• Analytical: Bioinformatics, statistical analysis using R or Python.
• Soft Skills: Collaboration, presentation at conferences like AACR, ethical research conduct.

Candidates should demonstrate competencies in project management and mentoring, vital for thriving in Mayo's team-oriented labs.

Application Process and Tips

📝 The application process starts on the AcademicJobs.com portal or Mayo Clinic's career site. Submit CV, cover letter, research statement, and three references. Interviews involve seminars and lab visits.

Actionable tips:

• Customize your academic CV to highlight Mayo-aligned research.
• Network via Mayo seminars or postdoc advice.
• Prepare for questions on past failures and future goals.
• Use free resume templates and cover letter templates.
• Follow up post-interview with thank-yous.

Deadlines vary; apply early for fall cycles.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

🌍 Mayo Graduate School champions diversity through the Diversity and Inclusion office, offering the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) for underrepresented minorities. The Women in Science and Medicine group provides mentoring, while the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) supports diverse pre-PhD candidates. In 2023, 45% of incoming PhD students were from underrepresented groups, reflecting commitment to inclusive excellence.

Work-Life Balance and Campus Life

⚖️ Mayo prioritizes work-life balance with 4 weeks vacation, parental leave (12 weeks paid), and on-site childcare. Rochester, MN, features a safe, affordable community (cost of living 20% below national average) with trails, arts, and Mayo Clinic's wellness center offering fitness classes and counseling.

Campus life includes graduate student association events, journal clubs, and proximity to Mayo's 3,000+ researchers. Flexible hours support family needs, and sabbaticals are available for faculty.

Why Pursue Jobs at Mayo Graduate School?

In summary, jobs at Mayo Graduate School offer unparalleled research opportunities in Rochester, Minnesota. From higher ed jobs to specialized research positions, leverage career advice and explore university jobs. Institutions like Mayo attract top talent; visit postdoc jobs or post your opening via post a job.