How to apply
The VCU Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award is a unique three-year postdoctoral program designed to train fellows in biomedical research and teaching. IRACDA is funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences and combines a traditional mentored postdoctoral research experience with an opportunity to develop teaching skills through formal pedagogic training and mentored assignments at minority-serving institutions. The program facilitates the progress of postdoctoral candidates toward research and teaching careers in academia. Other goals are to provide a resource to motivate the next generation of scientists at minority-serving institutions, and to promote linkages between research-intensive institutions and minority-serving institutions that can lead to further collaborations in research and teaching. IRACDA fellows are matched with research mentors at VCU and teaching mentors at one of three partner universities: Virginia Union University, Virginia State University or Elizabeth City State University.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent and must complete the degree before starting the program. IRACDA trainees must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or non-citizen nationals. Proof of citizenship status or resident status will be required before the start of the program. Individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application process
Interested candidates should use the online application and will need to submit their curriculum vitae, a statement of career goals (including both research and teaching interests), graduate transcripts and three letters of recommendation.
Applications open on Nov. 15, and the priority deadline is April 1. However, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. A successful candidate must demonstrate an interest in teaching, excellence in research and an interest in increasing diversity in the biomedical sciences workforce.
For more information, please contact cohdtraining@vcuhealth.org.
VCU has several training grants that support postdoctoral scholars. Eligibility for these training grants requires that the individual be a citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment.
Other postdoctoral appointments at VCU are most typically arranged between the individual seeking a position and the faculty member whose research is in the area in which the postdoc would like to receive training. VCU postdoctoral openings can be found at VCU HR website.
To identify available postdoctoral positions around the country, you may want to visit careers.org or the job board on the National Postdoctoral Association website.