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Fellowships and Positions – Clinical Investigator Development Program

CCR Voices

Deborah E. Citrin, M.D.
Radiation Oncology Branch

“The Clinical Investigator Development Program has been an incredible opportunity for me. A tenure-track position seemed out of reach after I completed my clinical training. The lab resources and mentorship I received through this program helped me establish a solid translational research program.”

Application Deadline: October 15, 2009

Program Starts: July 1, 2010

The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) announces a training opportunity for physicians interested in dedicating their careers to clinical oncology research. The Clinical Investigator Development Program will link eligible clinicians to a vibrant, multidisciplinary research community of more than 250 talented CCR intramural scientists conducting cutting-edge research on the campuses of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda and Frederick, Maryland. The CCR is nationally recognized as a premier training ground for clinical research, which is conducted in the state-of-the-art NIH Clinical Research Center.

Goal and Objectives

The program goal is to assist board-eligible/board-certified translational researchers in transitioning from a mentored position to an independent investigator in either laboratory-based or patient-oriented research so that they will be highly competitive for tenure-track appointments in academia or comparable positions in government and industry. Potential areas of interest include medical oncology, pediatric hematology-oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, surgical pathology or related specialties. Program objectives are to develop competence and skills in study design, protocol development and patient-oriented research; acquire knowledge related to the ethical and regulatory issues of conducting clinical research involving human subjects; gain direct experience with and develop strategies for the collection and management of research data; and learn about function, development, organization and leadership of a multidisciplinary research team.

Program Provisions

Successful applicants will be awarded a 3-year appointment; competitive salary; dedicated laboratory space and budget; a full-time research support person; travel and training funds; and access to an extensive infrastructure that includes research nursing, data management support, animal facilities, core services, and advanced technologies such as imaging/microscopy, protein chemistry and purification, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, genomics and transgenic and knockout mice. An attractive federal government employee benefit package includes health, life and disability coverage, a retirement savings program and relocation expenses. Student loan repayment is possible through the NIH.

Requirements

Program participants must successfully complete the NIH courses Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research, Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, and Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Research, or demonstrate competence in these areas; develop a research proposal within the first six months in collaboration with a mentor; and apply for an NIH Career Development Award (K mechanism) by the end of the second year. There will be an annual review of each participant’s research program.

Eligibility and Selection Process

Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have completed subspecialty training at a U.S.-accredited institution in appropriate fields (e.g., medical oncology, pediatric hematology-oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, surgical pathology). Candidates will be recruited nationwide. Awardees will be selected competitively by a review committee, and there will be a mentoring placement process.

Application Requirements

Applications must include a current curriculum vitae, complete bibliography, three letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, U.S. citizen or permanent residency documentation and a one-page description of research interests and goals and how these relate to the chosen field. Applications must be received by email at moodyt@mail.nih.gov by October 15, 2009. For more information contact Terry Moody, Ph.D., at moodyt@mail.nih.gov. Visit Fellowships and Positions – Clinical Training to learn more about clinical training opportunities at the Center for Cancer Research.

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DHHS, NIH and NCI are Equal Opportunity Employers