Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Genetics and Genomics (Summer 2027)


Location: Philadelphia, PA
Open Date: Sep 14, 2026
Deadline: Dec 09, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The mission of the 3-year Penn Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetics and Genomics, supported by a training grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute, is to prepare junior scholars for success as creative, independent investigators in the field of ELSI research. Fellows will participate fully in the life of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, which is among the world's leading bioethics departments, and will engage with the outstanding genetic medicine, science, and ELSI communities at Penn. Fellows will receive a generous annual stipend, benefits, and funds for academic books and travel. When appropriate to their prior training and career goals, ELSI fellows may pursue a Master of Science in Medical Ethics to prepare them to compete for external funding in ELSI research. Steven Joffe, MD, MPH directs the Fellowship.



Qualifications
Applications are invited from scholars with doctoral degrees in hand (MDs, PhDs or equivalent), or who will receive such degrees by the summer of the year in which they apply to the fellowship. Doctorates may be in any relevant field, including but not limited to the life sciences, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, economics or anthropology. Prior experience in bioethics is not required. In addition, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.



Application Instructions

• Personal statement (up to 1500 words). In your statement, please be sure to tell us about:
  • the research question(s) you hope to pursue as a postdoc

Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Genetics and Genomics (Summer 2027)


Location: Philadelphia, PA
Open Date: Sep 14, 2026
Deadline: Dec 09, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The mission of the 3-year Penn Postdoctoral Training Program in the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) of Genetics and Genomics, supported by a training grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute, is to prepare junior scholars for success as creative, independent investigators in the field of ELSI research. Fellows will participate fully in the life of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, which is among the world's leading bioethics departments, and will engage with the outstanding genetic medicine, science, and ELSI communities at Penn. Fellows will receive a generous annual stipend, benefits, and funds for academic books and travel. When appropriate to their prior training and career goals, ELSI fellows may pursue a Master of Science in Medical Ethics to prepare them to compete for external funding in ELSI research. Steven Joffe, MD, MPH directs the Fellowship.



Qualifications
Applications are invited from scholars with doctoral degrees in hand (MDs, PhDs or equivalent), or who will receive such degrees by the summer of the year in which they apply to the fellowship. Doctorates may be in any relevant field, including but not limited to the life sciences, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, economics or anthropology. Prior experience in bioethics is not required. In addition, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.



Application Instructions

• Personal statement (up to 1500 words). In your statement, please be sure to tell us about:
  • the research question(s) you hope to pursue as a postdoc