>

Postdoctoral Program

A postdoctoral fellowship at VUSN opens doors to an environment rich with experienced mentors and resources designed to support your growth as a nurse scientist and scholar.

Applications for the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program are now open. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2026. Apply here.

For opportunities with specific faculty members or labs, please contact them directly.

 

Students gathered outside a limestone and brick building
Section Contents

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing offers a transformative two-year postdoctoral fellowship designed to support the transition from doctoral training to an independent research career. Fellows devote sustained time to research, collaborate closely with experienced mentors, and develop the publications, funding proposals and professional skills needed for successful careers.

What You'll Accomplish

What You'll Accomplish

Build Your Research Portfolio

  • Lead studies and pilot projects that set you up for major grant funding
  • Collaborate on interdisciplinary teams across Vanderbilt and nearby Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Present your work at national and international conferences

Secure Career-Launching Funding

  • Develop competitive F32 and K99/R00 grant applications under expert guidance
  • Access dedicated grant-writing support and internal funding opportunities
  • Learn strategies from mentors who’ve successfully secured funding

Master Research Communication

  • Publish in peer-reviewed journals, supported by intensive mentorship
  • Translate complex research for diverse audiences through media and public engagement
  • Build your academic presence via presentations and professional networking

Expand Your Research Toolkit

  • Deepen expertise and gain hands-on experience with advanced methods
  • Participate in specialized workshops, seminars and graduate courses
  • Build skills in data science and emerging technologies

Join a Thriving Research Community

  • Connect with scholars across Vanderbilt and VUMC
  • Build lasting networks with fellows and faculty
  • Collaborate using Vanderbilt’s extensive research resources

Research Signature Areas

Choose your path in one of our nationally recognized areas:

Acute & Chronic Illness

– Transform care for chronic conditions from cardiovascular disease to diabetes, improving daily lives and long-term outcomes.

Data Science and Health Technologies

Harness AI, big data and digital health tools to advance precision health and predictive analytics.

Health Barriers

Tackle health disparities, access gaps and social determinants to improve equity across populations.

Nursing Education

Innovate pedagogy and best practices to enhance learning and faculty development.

Palliative Care Science

Enhance care for patients with serious illness and their families, optimizing quality of life and end-of-life care.

Pregnancy & Family Health

Strengthen maternal-child outcomes from preconception through postpartum and across the lifespan.

Explore faculty expertise on our Postdoctoral Faculty page to find your ideal mentor match.

Why VUSN?

Mentorship That Moves You Forward

Work closely with faculty invested in your growth and success. Small fellow-to-mentor ratios mean personalized guidance and real career support.

Collaborate Across Disciplines

Tap into Vanderbilt and VUMC’s rich network. From medicine to engineering to public health, the best ideas happen at the intersections – and you’ll be at the center.

A Supportive Community

Join a close-knit postdoc network where peers cheer each other on, share feedbackand celebrate milestones together.

Resources That Let You Focus

We provide research coordinators, statistical support and administrative help so you can spend more time on science and less on logistics.

Competitive Support

A generous stipend (above the NIH NRSA recommendation), benefits and a $16,500 per appointment year research allowance for travel, supplies and other research-related expenses ensure you can focus fully on your work without financial distractions.

A City That Inspires

Live in vibrant Nashville – a hub for music, arts, and outdoor adventures – while staying connected to conferences and collaborators.

Career Outcomes That Matter

Our alumni secure tenure-track positions, lead research programs and win competitive grants. Your Vanderbilt postdoc is an investment in a thriving research career.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you're finishing your PhD or looking to pivot into a new research area, Vanderbilt School of Nursing’s Postdoctoral Program offers the perfect environment to develop your research program, build your CV and launch the career you've envisioned.

Explore our current fellows to see who's here now

Review application requirements and prepare your materials

Reach out to potential mentors whose work aligns with your interests

Questions? Contact us at VUSNpostdoc@vanderbilt.edu