Springer-Lu
Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Term: Two years; third year possible with satisfactory progress.
• Employment: IPI employee; salary $80,000/year plus exceptional benefits.
• Resources: Bench space and substantial interface with IPI platforms (yeast display, deep sequencing, protein expression & purification, biophysical characterization, antibody validation, confocal microscopy, integrated AI/ML, and automation).
• Engagement with IPI: Fellows must substantially utilize IPI platforms and contribute materially to IPI (methods, datasets, reagents, code, publications, protocols).
• Co-mentor model: Applicants must propose a project that involves an external sponsor (tenured/tenure-track faculty or equivalent). IPI will appoint an additional mentor (internal to IPI). The two mentors will jointly support the applicant’s scientific development and career.
• On-site presence: Fellows will spend more than 50% of their time on-site at IPI to enable collaboration.
• Reporting: Fellows are expected to complete an annual written report and an intellectual property disclosure form, as well as present their work at an Institute seminar.

• Recent PhD, MD or MD-PhD graduates are strongly preferred, though early-career postdocs will also be considered.
• Applicants must identify an external sponsor who is willing to support their postdoctoral project.
• Candidates must have experience in and willingness to contribute to IPI areas of interest, including but not limited to: yeast display, deep sequencing, protein expression and purification, biophysical characterization, antibody validation, confocal microscopy, integrated AI/ML, computational modeling of antibody interactions, or automation.

Applications are due on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST. We strongly encourage candidates to register their interest and apply early for full consideration. Please review all information below before applying. For further questions regarding the application process and project scope, please contact springer-lufellowship@proteininnovation.org. 

Timeline

• Register: Indicate your interest as soon as possible by completing this brief form. We’ll ensure you receive priority updates.
• Apply: Applications will be accepted until January 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST.
• Review: The IPI Review Committee will evaluate applications based on the criteria outlined below.
• Interview: Finalists will be asked to attend an in-person interview and present a seminar at IPI during the review process, with final decisions conferred in March 2026.


Application requirements
To apply, email springer-lufellowship@proteininnovation.org with the subject “Springer–Lu Fellowship – Lastname, Firstname” and attach one consolidated PDF file containing the documents listed below, in order. Files should be formatted in 11-point font or larger, with 1-inch margins, and saved as a single PDF named Lastname_Firstname_SpringerLu.pdf.

1. Cover letter (≤2 pages) that describes career trajectory and goals statement, brief overview of proposed work, and alignment with IPI’s work and mission. 
2. Full CV with complete publication list.
3. Research proposal (≤6 pages including figures, excluding citations) that describes significance, innovation, specific aims, approach, anticipated impact; explicit plan for engaging with IPI platforms; concrete contributions to IPI and the Sponsor lab; risks/alternatives.
4. References: two letters, one from the candidate’s most recent mentor (referees may email letters separately to the same address, using the applicant’s name in the subject).
5. Sponsor commitment: NIH Biosketch and a brief letter from the proposed external faculty. The sponsor must confirm their willingness to sponsor and describe the mentorship and environment.

Review criteria
Applications will be evaluated for:

1. Candidate excellence: publications, demonstration of independent research, trajectory of scientific career, letters of support/recommendation.
2. Scientific merit & originality: clarity of question; potential impact on the antibody discovery or life sciences field.
3. Feasibility and rigor: approach, milestones, risk mitigation.
4. Fit with IPI: clear, substantial use of IPI platforms; specific bi-directional contributions by both IPI and the sponsor’s institution.

• Collaborative projects may result in joint intellectual property. In such cases, ownership and rights will be determined based on contribution, following the guidelines of both IPI and the sponsor’s host institution. 
• When applicable, reagents and tools developed under the award should be deposited or disseminated via IPI to maximize community impact.
• Compliance with all applicable research integrity, safety and regulations governing the use of animals and human subjects is required.
• The awardee will be a full-time employee of IPI and will adhere to all policies established by the Institute.
• Fellows are permitted to obtain additional awards or grants to cover research expenses only. Fellows are not permitted to hold any other award or grant that supplements their stipend. Fellows are required to seek approval from IPI before applying for any other award or grant. All current and pending grant support for candidate’s research must be reported to IPI, and the relationship of that support to the proposed project must be explained.
• Springer-Lu Fellowship awards are intended for full-time research.
• Springer-Lu Fellows are not permitted to pursue additional degrees during the course of their fellowship.

Disclaimer: By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge and consent to being added to IPI’s mailing list for the purpose of receiving notifications regarding future fellowships and other institutional opportunities. The mailing list is maintained solely by IPI and will not be shared, sold or distributed to any external entities.