Fellowships and Positions – Clinical Investigator Development Program
CCR Voices
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.”
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) announces a new 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 Clinical Research Center.
Goal and Objectives
The program goal is to assist board-eligible/board-certified translational researchers to transition from a mentored position to 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; gain direct experience with 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; access to an extensive infrastructure including 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 transgenics and knockout mice. An attractive federal government employee benefit package includes health, life and disability coverage, and a retirement savings program. Student loan repayment is possible through the NIH.
Requirements
Program participants must successfully complete the courses Principles and Practice of Clinical Research, 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, permanent residency documentation and a one-page description of research interests and goals and how these relate to the chosen field. Applications are not being accepted at this time. Applications will be accepted again in the fall of 2009 for the program year beginning July 1, 2010. Click here for more information.
