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A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities and is among is the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.
Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.
UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina (UNC-CIDD) is seeking fellows for our Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and co-directed by Ben Philpot and Mark Shen, this program emphasizes research training in both the biological basis and clinical manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Continuously funded since 2001 (T32HD040127), it was one of the first programs in the U.S. to bring together multi-disciplinary postdocs to accelerate translational research on NDDs. The UNC-CIDD T32 program has trained over 65 postdoctoral fellows to date, many of whom have subsequently obtained NIH K-awards, Simons Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome, or other prestigious junior faculty awards, and started their independent labs at R1 universities.
The goal of UNC-CIDD’s T32 Postdoctoral Research Training Program is to develop researchers with expertise in both the biological basis and clinical manifestations of NDDs. This broad-based and integrated perspective enables researchers to better relate across disciplines and maximizes the potential for major research advances in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of NDDs.
T32 fellows will participate in integrated training in biological and behavioral research in NDDs (e.g., autism, fragile X syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Dup15q syndrome, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), schizophrenia, ADHD, language disability) while studying both clinical and basic sciences (e.g., neuroscience, neurology, genetics, cell biology and physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, allied health sciences, developmental psychology, and psychiatry).
The program provides a variety of opportunities including: (1) mentored research training in specific methods, NDDs, and underlying pathogenic mechanisms; (2) courses, seminars, and lectures that integrate the study of clinical NDDs, developmental processes, mechanisms of disease, and research methods; and (3) clinical experiences to complement translational research opportunities.
This program has an anticipated start date of July 1. The annual stipend for each trainee follows NIH guidelines based on years of experience. Note: the T32 program is designed as a two-year program: the second year of funding is contingent upon competitive renewal of the training grant.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Postdoctoral trainees must have received, by the start of the T32 appointment, a Ph.D. (from a basic science or clinical research program), M.D., or comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution. Documentation by an authorized official of the degree-granting institution is acceptable, certifying all degree requirements have been met prior to the training start date. Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to: D.D.S., D.M.D., D.C., D.O., D.V.M., O.D., D.P.M., Sc.D., Eng.D., Dr. P.H., D.N.Sc., D.P.T., Pharm.D., N.D., D.S.W., Psy.D.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Trainees are required to engage in their research training on a full-time basis, devoting at least 40 hours per week to the program. For trainees in clinical fields, these hours must be focused on the proposed research training, and any clinical duties should contribute directly to the research training outcomes (e.g., peer-reviewed publications).
NIH requires that to be appointed to a training position supported by an NIH NRSA / T32 research training grant, an individual must be either: (a) a citizen of the U.S.; (b) a noncitizen national (individuals born in territories of the U.S. (e.g., Puerto Rico, American Samoa and Swains Island)); or © an individual who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Permanent Resident Card I-551 (green card) or other legal verification of such status). Individuals on temporary or student visas are unfortunately not eligible for NIH NRSA / T32 funding.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Ph.D. (from either basic science or clinical research programs) and M.D. (e.g., physicians in residency training) level trainees are encouraged to apply.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications are currently being accepted and will be considered on a rolling basis. Those received by January 15 will receive full consideration. Those considering submitting applications after January 15th should inquire if positions are still available.
1. Check eligibility (degree and citizenship) requirements and program weblinks below.
2. Review our directory of training grant faculty who are eligible to mentor a T32 fellow and sponsor an application. Identify a faculty member(s) who agrees to serve as your mentor (or co-mentors), and establish that they are willing to work on an application with you.
3. Email the Program Directors, Ben Philpot and Mark Shen (copying the Program Coordinator Angela Cousin) with (a) your CV; (b) your proposed mentors; and © whether you meet the elibility requirements.
4. Develop a research plan together with the mentor (or co-mentors) to be submitted with the application.
5. Apply via the UNC HR website for the Post-Doc Trainee Position.
6. Applications should include: CV; cover letter; and three letters of recommendation sent via email.
Email or mail letters of recommendation to:
Drs. Ben Philpot & Mark Shen
c/o Program Coordinator Angela Cousin (
[email protected])
UNC Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
101 Renee Lynne Court, CB 7255
Carrboro, NC 27510
RESOURCES:
- Program Information: https://www.med.unc.edu/cidd/training-education/research-training-opportunities/
- Eligible Mentors: https://www.med.unc.edu/cidd/research/meet-our-researchers/
- Meet the T32 Directors and Current Fellows:
https://www.med.unc.edu/cidd/training-education/research-training-opportunities/meet-our-t32-program-directors-and-fellows/
- For more information, contact the T32 Program Coordinator, Angela Cousin
