The NCI Division of Cancer Biology is Helping to Optimize the Workforce

The NCI Division of Cancer Biology (DCB) is helping to Optimize the Workforce by supporting activities that help junior investigators (including graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early faculty) develop career skills and network with other scientists that contribute to their scientific career advancement. 

The annual NCI Junior Investigator Meeting, which is hosted by DCB, is planned by and for junior investigators. It provides opportunities for attendees to meet fellow researchers, showcase their work, and develop collaborations.

Additionally, many DCB Research Programs provide opportunities for junior investigators. Some examples include:

• Participation in monthly steering committee meetings and the planning of annual conferences. 
• The ability to present short flash talks, research-in-progress seminars, and posters about their research, the chance to pitch team projects in a to a panel of judges (like “Shark Tank”).
• Involvement in a trainee steering committee for a program to inform the development and implementation of events and activities for the interests of junior investigators.
• The chance to attend presentations and panel discussions by guest speakers who share different career journeys and experiences in science.
• Opportunities to network with others in the cancer research community (including researchers and patient advocates). 

These types of activities supported by DCB help junior investigators develop leadership abilities, organizational and management skills, science communication abilities, networking connections, an understanding of team dynamics, and other valuable lessons that will continue to help them as they move along their own scientific career paths. 

Overall, DCB helps support the next generation of researchers to help build a diverse and vibrant community towards the advancement of fundamental knowledge and insights in cancer research.