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How to apply to the Fortenbach Lab as a postdoc, graduate student, or undergraduate.
The Fortenbach Lab is recruiting at all levels. Below is what we are looking for and how to get in touch.
Postdoctoral fellows
We are recruiting postdocs with backgrounds in any of: retinal physiology, vision science, electrophysiology (patch clamp, MEA, ERG), photopharmacology, chemical biology, bioengineering, or computational neuroscience. The strongest applicants tend to combine deep technical expertise in one of these areas with a willingness to learn at the interface.
To apply, email me a cover letter, your CV, and contact information for three references. In the cover letter, please describe (a) what scientific question excites you most, (b) the techniques you would bring with you, and (c) why our lab specifically.
Graduate students
UW students from relevant programs (Neuroscience, MCB, Bioengineering, MSTP, Vision Science) are welcome to rotate. Please email me to arrange a meeting before requesting a rotation.
Prospective students who have not yet been admitted to UW should apply through the program that best matches their background and interests; I cannot review applications outside of the formal process, but I am happy to chat about fit if you reach out before applying.
Undergraduates
Undergraduates with strong quantitative backgrounds and a sustained interest in vision science are welcome to inquire about research positions. We expect a meaningful time commitment (10+ hours/week during the academic year, full-time over the summer) and prefer students who can stay with the lab for at least a year.
Clinical research opportunities
Residents and clinical fellows in ophthalmology interested in research time are welcome to discuss possibilities — projects can range from focused clinical questions to bench work, depending on your training stage and goals.
How to email
Please use the subject line Lab inquiry — [your name], [career stage]. A short, specific email is much more useful than a long generic one. I read every message, but it can take me a week or two to reply during clinic-heavy stretches.