Discover Symposium

The Salk Discover Symposium invites preeminent future postdoctoral candidates to an exclusive, immersive experience designed to ignite collaboration and accelerate careers. Attendees will present their cutting-edge research, engage with a vibrant community of fellow trainees, and gain invaluable insights through various sessions. This unique event also offers rare, cross-disciplinary networking opportunities with potential Salk faculty mentors-creating powerful pathways for mentor-mentee connections that transcend traditional postdoc interview formats.

The Discover Symposium will consist of a 3-day program from July 15-17, 2026. Travel costs and lodging accommodations associated with the program are covered by the Salk Institute.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

This opportunity is open to current PhD students located within the United States who are 1-2 years from beginning postdoctoral training, as well as recent PhD graduates who are seeking their first postdoc position.

Students from all research and demographic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The program is designed to support the development of a robust biomedical research pipeline, aligning with the Salk Institute's mission to cultivate the next generation of innovative, bold scientists.

Applicants must complete a brief online application and submit the following documents: