Research Scholar

30 hours a week

Pay Range

JOB SUMMARY:

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) Research and Education in Alzheimers Disease and Dementias Initiative for Excellence (READDIE; pronounced ready) Program is designed for one year of training to facilitate post-baccalaureate trainees entry into and completion of PhD programs in Alzheimers Disease and related dementias (ADRD). Funded by The National Institute of Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) it includes academic enhancements and extensive research experiences aimed at preparing individuals in biomedical and behavioral sciences to complete PhD programs in these disciplines. The one-year program helps scholars demonstrate research and academic proficiency before fall program applications with potential for a second year in the program to reinforce their science identity as ADRD researchers. Scholars should not be appointed for less than one year; a second year is allowable only at the discretion of the READDIE program directors and if within the awarded costs of the program. The training plan starts in the summer to allow scholars to acclimate to the program and select their research mentors and projects prior to the beginning of coursework. Activities during the year will enhance progression towards a PhD (or MD/PhD) program by demonstrating research and academic proficiency prior to fall graduate school application dates. Scholars will be exposed to varied career paths related to ADRD research and receive career counseling to encourage long-term engagement in the field. Each scholar selects a faculty mentor and conducts a biomedical research project in the mentors laboratory /research group. Individualized Development Plans (IDPs) help guide professional development activities and mentored research tailored to prior experience and curricular needs. IDPs will be designed within the context of a one-year apprenticeships similar to graduate students to provide the necessary skills to prepare the students for rigorous PhD programs. The research apprenticeship is intended to build the skills needed to be accepted into top-tier PhD programs. READDIE scholars will conduct independent research develop hypotheses design experiments and take responsibility for research projects gaining valuable discovery experiences. The program fosters a supportive environment with opportunities to interact with peers postdocs and investigators preparing scholars for success in demanding PhD programs. READDIE scholars will dedicate 75% of their time to research and 25% to academic development including relevant courses journal clubs workshops seminars and community engagement. Activities should enrich the participants verbal analytical and critical thinking abilities and build their academic credentials; coursework will align with requirements of selective PhD programs. It is expected that upon completion of apprenticeship READDIE scholars will apply to high-caliber PhD programs.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

For the purposes of this program announcement to receive salary support scholars must be recent baccalaureate graduates in a biomedically relevant science who have graduated from accredited U.S. colleges or universities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico no more than 36 months prior to applying to READDIE and are not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program. They must be US citizens.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Please list 10-12 accountabilities with no bullet points)

1. Participate in a biomedical research training project as an apprentice scientist similar to a first-year graduate student preferably authoring or co-authoring an abstract or publication on their research

2. Participate in a READDIE journal club and other student-focused journal clubs within the host facultys department or graduate program

3. Participate in sessions for professional development activities including but not limited to technical writing presentations of scientific material in oral written and poster format lay audience speaking job and academic etiquette

4. Attend training sessions on safety and ethics in biomedical research with graduate students

5. Attend graduate level courses appropriate to their research interest and targeted PhD or MD/PhD graduate programs of interest

6. Attend training sessions on graduate educational opportunities and apply to at least two graduate programs by the end of the training period

7. Attend recruitment activities at national meetings in fall of first year to network and learn about graduate programs at various universities

8. Prepare a poster describing their research and make a presentation at a poster session in June

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

The participants will have completed a baccalaureate degree typically with a GPA of 2.5 or better with an emphasis on courses in the biomedical sciences which is documented on a transcript from their college or university and will have an interest in a career in biomedical research with the goal of attaining a PhD. The application is to be accompanied by documentation of a statement of interest and two letters of recommendation from faculty at the degree-granting institution.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

READDIE scholars train in the research laboratory of a faculty mentor who has a research interest chosen by the scholar and participate in activities similar to first year PhD or Masters level graduate students. Depending on the specific research area chosen the duties and requirements below may vary.

Our CommitmenttoYou:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs competitive compensation generous retirement offerings programs that invest in your career development and so much more so you can live fully at and away from work including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications skills relevant experience and/or training

• Premium pay such as shift on call and more based on a teammates job

• Incentive pay for select positions

• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs

• Health and welfare benefits such as medical dental vision life andShort- and Long-Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave

• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g. full-time part-time per diem temporary etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.