IRACDA Training Grant
Applications are currently being accepted from US citizens and permanent US residents who have completed the Ph.D. or will do so in the next 4 months for an exciting NEW post-doctoral IRACDA training grant from NIH that combines research with a mentor of your choice with learning how to develop advanced undergraduate courses and teach at one of three universities in the Houston area; St Thomas University, the University of Houston Downtown and/or Prairie View A& M University.
The combined teaching training and teaching component should comprise an average of 25% time, with most of the time commitment in the third year when the post-doc will teach/co-teach one course each of two semesters. The HEART IRACDA Scholars will have adjunct faculty appointments at the universities, and office and faculty parking privileges. Five new positions will be available each year.
HEART Scholars will be engaged in research throughout the 3-4-year program. During the first 1½ years of the program, they will establish their laboratory research project, attend workshops on effective teaching strategies, minority health disparities and how to interact with and mentor undergraduates to enter biomedical Ph.D programs. At the end of the first or beginning of the second year, Scholars will confer with undergraduate professors and select a class to teach during the third year of the program. In the first or last half of the second year, the Scholars will observe the teacher in the class they will teach or a related class and begin planning their lectures with incorporation of leading edge technology and knowledge. During the second to third year of the program, the Scholars will teach or co-teach one class per semester, introducing cutting-edge technology and knowledge into their teaching. They will receive feedback and mentoring to enhance their teaching. During the third to fourth year, the Scholars will continue research, complete manuscripts and apply for a job. If a 1st year post-doc has a project solidly established, then we will work to accelerate the time line for completion.
Post-docs will be paid the appropriate NIH pay scale with post-doc benefits from the IRACDA grant.
Please contact Gayle Slaughter, Ph.D. for further information (713-798-6644). Applicants will submit an IRACDA HEART application form (contact gayles@bcm.edu), three letters of recommendation (including one from the proposed post-doc mentor), transcripts from all colleges. The HEART application includes fundamental information and an essay on research training, teaching, mentoring and/or outreach experience. Applicants should have a strong interest in diversifying the scientific workforce.
Some teaching workshops will be open to any BCM post-doc and will be announced at a later date.
Gil Gilbert, Ph.D. (Sr. Associate Dean of Postdoctoral Affairs) and I are co-PIs on this grant. There are 12 IRACDA programs throughout the country. The post-docs and PIs meet every year for a conference on career advancement and to share research results. The faculty who attend are often involved in recruiting for their institution. Other program directors have told me that their IRACDA alumni are progressing to a job of their choosing. This could be just the opportunity you are looking for!
Please contact me if you have questions.
Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Education
Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
713-798-6644 713-798-6325(fax)