Inspiring, training, and mentoring the next generation of scientists is a vital aspect of the Sloan Kettering Institute’s mission. SKI offers advanced education and training for postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. We also host programs for aspiring researchers at the high school and college level.

Our trainees and students join a vibrant community that includes graduate students, postdocs, medical students, and clinical fellows from across the larger Memorial Sloan Kettering campus. A full calendar of scientific lectures, symposia, and special events helps to spark interaction among trainees, students, and faculty mentors.

In addition to laboratory research training, we offer extensive professional development services. Joint programs with neighbors Weill Cornell Medical College and The Rockefeller University, plus the vast resources of New York City, add to the diverse opportunities open to trainees and students.

Craig Thompson

MSK President Craig Thompson welcomes high school students to the annual “Major Trends in Modern Cancer Research” seminar.

Kat Hadjantonakis

Developmental biologist Kat Hadjantonakis with members of her lab

Postdoctoral Training

Postdoctoral researchers are a vital aspect of SKI’s research enterprise. The collaborative culture provides an exciting and stimulating training experience where interdisciplinary teamwork and learning are strongly encouraged. 

Postdocs have access to a wide variety of resources to help them take charge of their careers. The Office of Career and Professional Development sponsors panel discussions, networking events, and more. Individual career counseling sessions are also available. And with nearly 50 workshops and skills-building courses in computational biology, statistics, proteomics, and other areas on offer throughout the year, postdocs have abundant opportunities to develop new skills and position themselves for a successful job search. 

Additionally, the MSK grants and contracts office offers extensive support to postdocs applying for fellowships and research grants, helping to identify funding opportunities, review research proposals, and submit competitive applications.

Explore open positions   Learn more about doing your postdoc with us

 

Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

The Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences trains laboratory scientists and engineers to work in research areas related to human disease, with a focus on cancer. The GSK faculty supports students in their PhD training from their first day of school through their thesis defense and beyond. The flexible curriculum allows students to explore potential thesis mentors and take a deep-dive into new avenues of research before starting their dissertation work.

Learn how to apply to the PhD Programs

Louis Parada

GSK student Yu-Jung Chen (left) with his thesis mentor, Luis Parada

 

Michael Sadelain

Physician-scientist Michel Sadelain instructs grad students in immunology.

Ushma

Ushma Neill, Vice President for Scientific Education and Training, at MSK’s annual Academic Convocation ceremony.

Joint Graduate Programs  

SKI sponsors a wide range of joint graduate programs in partnership with Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, and The Rockefeller University. These offerings provide comprehensive and unique curricula at the intersection of the biomedical sciences and the management of cancer.

Grad students can train in SKI labs through the following joint programs:

  • Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
    A collaboration between the Weill Cornell Medical College and the Sloan Kettering Institute, this school trains future generations of biomedical researchers.
  • Tri-Institutional MD/PhD Program
    Sponsored collectively by the Sloan Kettering Institute, The Rockefeller University, and Weill Cornell Medical College, the Tri-Institutional MD/PhD Program trains physician-scientists to become leaders in biomedical research.
  • Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Computational Biology and Medicine
    The Tri-Institutional Program in Computational Biology and Medicine is a collaborative effort between Memorial Sloan Kettering, Cornell University in Ithaca, and Weill Cornell Medical College. Our training prepares researchers for careers at the interface between computer science and biology.
  • Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology
    The Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology is a joint graduate program offered by Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell Medical College, and The Rockefeller University that trains students to use chemical approaches to address problems at the forefront of biomedical research.
The Marie-Josée Kravis Fellowship in Quantitative Biology

Computational biologists Michael Berger and Helen Won

 

Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at MSK may apply for a variety of funding opportunities to support their work, including those listed below:

 

Programs for College and High School Students

The  Mechanistic Biology Summer Program gives approximately 10 outstanding undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, and juniors the opportunity to train in SKI laboratories. 

College students can also hone their skills in summer programs tailored to specific research interests. Learn more about our programs in the following areas:

High school students can interact with SKI scientists through outreach activities such as the annual Modern Trends in Modern Cancer Research seminar. The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) within Memorial Hospital also offers an eight-week summer experience for high school students interested in pursuing a career in biomedical sciences. Learn more about the HOPP Summer Student Program. 

SURP Student Poster Session

College students give a poster presentation as part of the SURP program.

 

Yaihara Fortis Santiago, PhD

Yaihara Fortis Santiago, PhD, Associate Director of Postdoctoral Affairs and Trainee Diversity Initiatives at MSK.

 

Trainee Diversity Initiatives

Memorial Sloan Kettering is committed to fostering diversity at all levels in the organization. Each year, the Office of Science, Education, and Training hosts a recruitment event for potential postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented groups, called MSK View. We also collaborate in the Tri-I Minority Society, which brings together students, administrators, researchers, and faculty members from the Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Weill Cornell Medical College to make scientific opportunities available to all underrepresented groups.

The MSK Bridge program aims to provide post-baccalaureate trainees from traditionally underrepresented groups with a strong foundation in science and research, as well as guided mentoring that will help them successfully transition into biomedical PhD programs.

Dr. Yaihara Fortis Santiago leads many of these efforts as Associate Director of Postdoctoral Affairs and Trainee Diversity Initiatives at MSK.