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Fellowships

Members of the VA Research community who are interested in advertising their available positions here can submit requests to [email protected].

Please note that this section is updated monthly. The following positions are still open as of 01/01/22.



(01/25/22) Health Services Research Fellowship - Seattle, WA and Denver, CO



The Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation (COIN) participates in the VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Health Services Research & Development trains and mentors the next generation of VA HSR&D; scientists and physician scientists. Both the Seattle and Denver sites offer PhD and MD Fellowships. See https://www.seattledenvercoin.research.va.gov/Fellowship/Fellowship_Program.asp for details.

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(01/19/22) Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Fellowship Program (BD-STEP) - Houston, TX



Summary

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is now the most common solid malignancy associated with the human papillomavirus and is increasing at an exponential rate in the US. The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is rising at 3 times the national rate in the Veteran population, and Veterans demonstrate inferior outcomes compared to US patients at large. Given the significant toxicity of conventional treatment (chemotherapy, radiation) and the wide disparate survival between subset of oropharyngeal cancers it is imperative to develop a precision oncology approach to this deadly disease.

In order to effectively create new precision oncology tools for cancer within the VHA, the VHA has created the VA Hub for Computer Vision and Machine Learning in Precision Oncology (CoMPL).  CoMPL was established at the VA Northeast Ohio Health System in 2021 with the following objectives: 1) focus on building the computational infrastructure and tools to allow for expanding the scope and access to CVML resources within the VA; and 2) develop new companion diagnostic tools for risk assessment, predicting response and need for more or less aggressive therapy in cancer. Fellows that are accepted into this new collaborative program within BD-STEP will collaborate closely with the CoMPL and Houston teams to create new biomarkers for OPC.

Project Title and Goals

“Leveraging pathomic and radiomic feature analysis enriched with spatial transcriptomic data to risk stratify oropharyngeal cancer in Veterans”

AI Goal #1: Develop a sensitive and specific biomarker of a favorable tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and use to predict OPC response in Veterans to chemo-radiation and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

AI Goal #2: Manipulate oxidative stress response via p53 reactivation or GPX2 targeting to generate favorable TIME and improve OPC treatment response in Veterans.

Description of Fellowship Activities

  • Learn to develop and optimize machine learning approaches to pathomic features of OPC extracted from conventional diagnostic specimens.
  • Learn to develop and optimize machine learning approaches to radiomic features of OPC combining anatomic (CT) with metabolic (FDG-PET) diagnostic imaging.
  • Learn to integrate pathomic and radiomic features with targeted transcriptional data from patient tumors to build and refine predictive models for OPC in a Veteran population.
  • Apply risk stratification models to Veterans with OPC using VA-Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) data stratified by time period and conventional risk factors as well as HPV status to determine the relative predominance of high risk and low risk oropharyngeal cancer within the VHA.
  • Collaborate with CoMPL for data acquisition and sharing, and AI tool development.

Mentorship Team and Environment

Vlad Sandulache, MD, PhD

Houston VA

Clinical, biology, cancer epidemiology

Anant Madabhushi, PhD

Cleveland VA, CoMPL

AI and machine learning

Fellowship Benefits

  • A paid full-time 2-year fellowship (stipend plus books) through VA Office of Academic Affiliations and National Cancer Institute.
  • Opportunities to access big data sets at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center or through the VA CDW.
  • Interprofessional mentoring and teamwork; experience working within a healthcare system.
  • Distance learning with data scientists and fellows at BD-STEP sites across the country.

Eligibility

  • US Citizenship
  • D. in a physical science, computer science, engineering, or related discipline (to include chemistry, physics, statistics, and mathematics) from an accredited educational institution.
  • Experience in bioinformatics, modeling, or management of large data sets; strong background in advanced mathematics and statistics; and proficiency in at least one programming language.

How to Apply

Send a current CV and contact information to Christine Eriks at [email protected].

For questions, please contact Vlad Sandulache, MD, PhD, at [email protected].

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled.

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(01/04/22) VA Advanced Fellowship in Health Services Research - Providence, RI



The Center for Innovation in Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS-COIN) at the Providence VA Medical Center invites applications for our postdoctoral fellowship in health services research. We seek candidates interested in improving access, quality, and value of long-term services and supports for older Veterans in a learning healthcare system.

The 2-year fellowship program, administered by AcademyHealth, offers fellows interdisciplinary scientific and career development training necessary to become independent research investigators in health services research. Fellows are expected to participate in didactic training, team-based research, and quality improvement experiences to meet their individualized career development goals. LTSS-COIN investigators hold joint appointments at Brown University and are internationally renowned for their work in health services research and policy lending to a robust mentoring program to promote the career development of our fellowship trainees. To learn more, visit https://www.va.gov/oaa/advancedfellowships/advanced-fellowships.asp.

VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, protected Veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Eligibility Requirements

  • US Citizenship
  • PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in relevant health and social sciences
  • MD candidates must have:
    • Board eligibility (any specialty)
    • Completed clinical training prior to entering fellowship program
    • Full medical license (or currently applying)

Application Materials

Send the following to Ms. Elizabeth Archambault ([email protected]):

  1. CV
  2. Cover letter/statement of interest (Indicate research interests and experience, fellowship goals, and proposed mentors.)
  3. Two letters of recommendation
  4. Writing sample

 

Deadline

Applications are due by March 1, 2022. After this date, we will accept applications on a rolling basis until the fellowships are filled. Please contact Ms. Archambault with any questions.

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(12/21/21) Postdoctoral fellow: Microbiology - Atlanta, GA



The Atlanta VA is in pursuit of an innovative Microbiologist. We are looking for a qualified and creative scientist with an interest in working on the mechanisms that regulation virulence gene expression in the opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Specifically, the position will investigate mechanisms that regulate a high-frequency genetic switch that generates virulent and avirulent subpopulations.

For this position, the successful applicant must have a PhD degree in microbiology. Experience in basic techniques in microbiology and in molecular biology, such as cloning, DNA/RNA purification, and PCR is required. Experience in techniques to measure gene expression, such as qRT-PCR, use of reporter gene fusions are desirable. In addition, the candidate must have excellent critical thinking skills, a track-record of productivity as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, ability to work well both independently and as part of a team, and proficiency in written and oral English communication.

A successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead independent and cutting-edge research projects in a world-class research facility while obtaining valuable experience with the relevant technology that prepares well for future positions in academia or industry. We will also provide individual career development/support and access to an interdisciplinary and collaborative research community.

Qualifications for this position include: Must have a Ph.D., have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to manage people and projects, write grants.

Applicants should submit a current CV and cover letter outlining their experience in research and bone biology, along with their career goals to Ashley Scales, PhD, MPH at [email protected]. *Include "Microbiologist" in the email subject line.

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(12/16/21) Advanced Fellowship in Health Services Research - Iowa City, IA



Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE)

The Advanced Fellowship in Health Services Research at the Iowa City VA and our academic affiliate - the University of Iowa - will allow you to build on your current skills and launch you on a successful research career. The fellowship provides 2-years of training for eligible physicians, associated health or nursing professionals, and those with a PhD or equivalent in health services research, public health, the social sciences, statistics, anthropology, or related fields. Candidates interested in telehealth, infectious disease, women’s health, care coordination, medication safety and multi-methods research, Learning Health Systems (LHS), and rural health care and delivery may find CADRE a particularly good fit, but other candidates are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, a personal statement (maximum 600 words), curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation to Co-Directors Dr. Michelle Mengeling ( [email protected]) and/or Dr. Michael Ohl ([email protected]).

We are accepting applications until March 1, 2022, after which application will be accepted until the fellowships are filled. To learn more, please contact Dr. Mengeling ( [email protected] ) .

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(11/19/21) HSR&D; Advanced Fellowship in the VA Learning Health System - Indianapolis, IN



This two-year program aims to prepare fellows to be independent investigators in the field of Health Services Research. Fellows spend their time in mentored research, an educational curriculum, and professional development activities relevant to the VA. Mentors of national stature provide guidance to fellows in rich and collaborative learning environments.

Application deadline is February 1st.

See brochure for complete details.

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(09/08/21) Data Science Fellowship - Location TBD



The Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program (BD-STEP) is a two-year fellowship offered through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that uses data science to advance cancer research and patient care. Competitively selected postdoctoral fellows are placed in four VA medical centers across the country to work with clinicians and interdisciplinary researchers to address important patient-centered health challenges. Fellows have unique opportunity to unitlize the extensive VA health data infrastructure while gaining valuable exposure to the clinical environment.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. See https://cssi.cancer.gov/bd-step for details.

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(09/08/21) Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Exercise Physiology - East Orange, NJ



The War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)

The WRIISC is a national Department of Veterans Affairs tertiary care clinic that provides expertise on post-deployment health through clinical, research and education efforts. Within the New Jersey WRIISC, we have launched the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence where we provide advanced diagnostics and care for patients with unexplained dyspnea. Our integrated program of research complements these efforts by studying mechanisms of fatigue, dyspnea and exercise intolerance.

Qualified Applicants:

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with expertise and/or interest in human cardiopulmonary physiology to join our clinical research team. Incoming fellows are expected to collaborate on ongoing funded projects, provide clinical cardiopulmonary services, develop independent research questions and apply for research grants. The following specific criteria will be considered:

  • Must be a US Citizen with a PhD, MD or equivalent degree
  • Background and knowledge of human physiology
  • Laboratory experience in human exercise physiology, cardiopulmonary testing and/r cardiovascular research. Preferred experience: cardiopulmonary exercise testing, cardiovascular imaging, and/or basic science techniques

Highlights of the Postdoctoral Fellowship:

  • Opportunity to conduct clinical translational research
  • Competitive salary and health benefits
  • Eligible for VA intramural grant funds, including Career Development Awards
  • On-site fitness center and child care available
  • Approximately 30 minutes from New York City

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Contact Information:

Dr. Michael Falvo: [email protected] (800-248-8005)
www.WarRelatedIllness.va.gov; https://www.va.gov/oaa/specialfellows/programs/SF_war_related.asp?p=19

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(09/06/21) Elizabeth Dole Center of Excellence Fellowship in Health Services Research - Palo Alto, CA; Salt Lake City, Utah; Miami, FL; and San Antonio, TX



The Veterans’ Health Administration-funded Elizabeth Dole Center of Excellence for Veteran and Caregiver Research is seeking postdoctoral and post-residency fellows for a 2-year research fellowship in health services research focused informal caregiving, home and community-based care, long-term support services, and other aspects of aging in place.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

See http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/centers/dole/Elizabeth-Dole-CoE-Fellowship.pdf for details.

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(09/01/21) Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship in Interprofessional Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research for Associated Health Professionals - Washington, DC



Overview: The Interprofessional Polytrauma and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research (P/TBI) Fellowship at the Washington DC VA Medical Center (DC VAMC) is recruiting associated health professionals for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship program. The P/TBI Fellowship at the DC VAMC reflects the high VA priority to address the complex rehabilitation of injured active duty service members. The primary goal of this fellowship program is to develop clinician-investigators with the appropriate research skills and clinical expertise to advance P/TBI rehabilitation who may assume positions of leadership across the country in the service of Veterans with polytrauma.

Program Description: This interdisciplinary program aims to train associated health professionals for an academic research career with a focus on the rehabilitation of Veterans with polytrauma and/or acquired brain injury. These aims will be achieved by providing: 1) structured career development training, 2) formal clinical and research mentorship, 3) access to the equipment, human capital, and other resources associated with a strong clinical research environment, 4) a comprehensive, individualized fellowship training curriculum, and 5) protected research time in close collaboration with a P/TBI investigator. Fellowship candidates with professional licensure will allocate 25% of their time to participate in clinical rotations within the PM&R; Service. Additional program guidance is provided by the P/TBI Fellowship Directors and Advisory Board, and peer-to-peer interaction is facilitated through the Fellows’ Forum seminar series. Fellows will receive a salary, health benefits, and an annual research stipend.

How to Apply: Interested associated health professionals who meet the eligibility requirements should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to Michael Harris-Love, DSc ([email protected]). The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in the fellowship program, a brief overview of your previous clinical and research experiences, a succinct statement of your research interest, and how the fellowship program may aid your professional and career goals. Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis. Associated health professional fellows must be U.S. citizens.

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(08/26/21) Women’s Health Fellowship - Pittsburgh, PA



Overview: The Women’s Health Fellowship at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is recruiting candidates for a 2-year postdoctoral research fellowship program. The goal of the program is to cultivate women’s health researchers to develop careers that will contribute to the VA’s core mission of delivering high quality, equitable care to women Veterans.

Program Description: This interdisciplinary program trains associated health professionals for academic research careers focused on women’s health. Individualized, mentored research and clinical training (if appropriate) is combined with a curriculum that emphasizes research best practices, study design, statistical analysis, and grant preparation. Fellows receive a stipend, health insurance, and limited support for training and research activities. There are no teaching, service, or payback requirements.

Qualifications: To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must be US citizens. Clinical (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers) and non-clinical associated health professionals (e.g., anthropologists, sociologists, health economists) with doctoral degrees (or nearing the end of their doctoral training) are eligible to apply. Candidates who are people of color or from other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:  Interested candidates who meet the eligibility requirements should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and writing sample to [email protected]. The cover letter should specify the reasons for your interest in this particular fellowship training program, a brief overview of your previous clinical and/or research experiences, and how you see this program promoting your professional and career goals. In addition, three letters of recommendation should be sent via email directly from the letter writers. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is an equal opportunity employer.

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