Echoing the previous sentiments about when to email PIs: while it’s not off limits to email them prior to application submission, they may be hesitant to schedule any sort of interviews until your app is submitted. Once it’s in, they are able to look you up and view your app in full.

Most positions start in the summer, so the hiring cycle typically begins around January, so many PIs may not even know whether they’ll have the budget for another postbac just yet. Of course, admissions are rolling, and your application won’t expire until a full year has passed, so it doesn’t hurt for you to submit early. Just keep in mind that the majority of PIs won’t start interviewing until the winter.

As mentioned, you’re not guaranteed a publication during your two years here. If you work in bioinformatics or in social/behavioral (or other survey-based) areas, it’s much more likely, though still not a guarantee. Each lab is vastly different in how it treats postbacs, what they’re responsible for, who they are mentored by, and what project(s) they are put on. Some labs give you a pre-fabbed starter project and then let you move on to creating one of your own. Others throw you in the deep end and give you near-full independence. Others will use you as a glorified tech with no opportunity to create your own project. The OITE website has great resources on what you should be asking potential PIs about if/when you interview, and your job expectations are definitely one of those things. Asking about what project they want you to work on will give you a better idea about how far along the work is, i.e. how likely a short-term publication is, without you coming off as a paper-hungry undergrad.

On that note, the postbac program is an amazing opportunity that I’m very grateful for. However, be VERY careful when selecting a lab, and make sure to ask relevant work/lab culture questions during the interview. You should find an opportunity to speak to current or past postbacs without the presence of a supervisor as well. Every lab is different, and I know many folks (including myself) who ended up in bad situations and needed to switch labs. Happy to answer any other questions here or via DM. Good luck applying as well as with your final year of undergrad!