Resources & Support
Single-particle tracking of proteins diffusing in the membrane of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Diffusion coefficients represented by color scales report different sub-populations of active enzymes. Video from Alexandre W. Bisson-Filho, Assistant Professor of Biology.
Career Development
Molecular and Cell Biology PhD students are encouraged to consider academic and non-academic career paths. To help students navigate this complex process, students are required to complete an annual “Individual Development Plan” and discuss with their advisors and/or thesis committee members. Students are also supported in their career goals by the student-led group, Career Development for the Sciences. Members of the group organize monthly seminars highlighting career paths, provide networking opportunities for students with industry professionals, and organize career-relevant skills workshops. The Center for Career and Professional Development at the Graduate School also organizes events and workshops, provides one-on-one career advising, and fosters employer relationships with Brandeis alum.
View examples of IDP forms (Brandeis login required)
Diversity and Inclusion
Brandeis is proud to provide a supportive and inclusive community for its students. The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is committed to working collaboratively with the campus community in an effort to build high-quality programming that evokes social change.
Brandeis MCB students are actively engaged in student-lead groups focusing on diversity and inclusion, including the Division of Science Diverse Brandeis Scholar student group, the Brandeis SACNAS chapter, the Brandeis Queer Grad Student Union, and the Brandeis Latino and Latin American graduate student organization, “Sin Fronteras.”
Membership to the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
All graduate students at Brandies receive membership to the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity, a nationally recognized, independent organization providing online career development and mentoring resources. This subscription entitles all faculty, academic staff, postdocs, and graduate students to tools to increase research and writing productivity and improve work-life balance.
Student Leadership
In addition to the graduate student-lead groups focused on Career Development and Diversity, graduate students in the sciences are activity engaged in the Science Policy Initiative (SPI) and Women in Science Initiative (WiSI) groups. SPI provides on campus opportunities for graduate student education in science policy through seminars, peer-to-peer activities, and lectures given by both Brandeis faculty, and outside experts in the relevant fields. The Women in Science Initiative (WiSI) is a community of graduate students, postdocs, and staff of every gender that works to foster the success of women in STEM fields.
MCB PhD students have also held leadership positions in the Graduate Student Association student government, and as student representatives for their program.
Campus Mental Health Resources
Brandeis takes the mental health of its graduate students very seriously. As such, the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) is available for all graduate students to use with no out of pocket expense to them. Additionally, in January 2019, a new community therapist will serve the science community directly by providing one-on-one therapy sessions in the science complex, free of charge.
Leave of Absence
Sometimes it is necessary for a graduate student to request a health leave of absence, personal leave of absence, pregnancy accommodation, or parental relief. The procedures for requesting a leave can be found on the GSAS website.