NIH T32 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH
TRAINING IN BIOTHERAPY OF CANCER
DIVISION OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
T32 Postdoctoral Training Program in Biotherapy of Cancer:
- This training grant is a 5-year award from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh .
- The training grant will provide state-of-the-art basic research training in the biological therapy of cancer for postdoctoral fellows with faculty members of the Division of Surgical Oncology. There are five areas of focused research interests and each candidate will conduct basic research involving only one of the five: 1) Immunotherapy, 2) Cytokine Therapy, 3) Gene Therapy, 4) Targeted Molecular Therapy and 5) Genomics/Proteomics in Cancer Therapy.
- The training period is two years with an optional third year.
Number of Candidates Accepted Per Year:
- Two postdoctoral positions are available each year.
Applicant Eligibility:
- Applicants must have M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. and must not have had no more than one year of previous postdoctoral support from another NIH institutional training grant or individual NIH fellowship award.
- All applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
- Students on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
Acceptance Criteria of the Program:
The acceptance criteria are based on the following:
- Academic credentials and recommendations
- Strong interest in cancer research and a desire for an academic career in surgical oncology
- Desirable personal characteristics, including integrity, perseverance, and communications skills
Goals of the Training Program:
- Broad exposure to aspects of cancer biology and biotherapy of cancer
- The integration of biological therapy into scientific inquiry and the clinical treatment of cancers
- Learning and applying fundamental principles of scientific inquiry
- Under close mentorship, successful completion of one or more research projects
- The writing of manuscript(s) describing the results of the research project(s), preferably including presenting or submission for consideration of publication.
Application Procedure and Deadline:
- Interested individuals should contact Ms. Margaret Corson , the Administrative Coordinator of the training grant. A copy of applicant's curriculum vitae should also be provided.
- The first application deadline is May 1 of every year; however, applications will be accepted and considered on a continuing basis for open postdoctoral positions. Prospective candidates are ENCOURAGED to inquire Ms. Corson throughout the year!
Stipend Support:
- Postdoctoral stipend levels are set by the NIH each year, and commensurate with the number of years of postgraduate training. Graduating General Surgery residents accepted into this Program will be salaried at PGY 6-7 stipend levels.
- The grant also covers tuition/fees, health insurance, travel, and trainee-related expenses. Exact amounts for each item are available upon request.
Expectations of the Trainees:
- Trainees are expected to be committed to full-time basic research training (40 hours/week) with two year commitment.
- No clinical responsibility will be expected of the trainees.
- Trainees will attend regularly seminars and journal clubs.
- Trainees will also be required to present one journal club and one research seminar in designated forums each year.
For more information, please contact:
