Argyros Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Oncology Nursing
The Argyros Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Oncology Nursing provides advanced training and mentorship in patient-centered oncology research for nurses who completed a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) from an accredited university in nursing or a field relevant to nursing research and would like the opportunity to further develop a research career in oncology. The program provides mentorship from a seasoned faculty researcher and guidance in grant development, project management, manuscript development, networking opportunities.
The intent of the program is to foster research that will advance oncology nursing practice, shape policy, and impact the care and outcomes of patients across the cancer continuum, from prevention, through treatment, and to survivorship and end of life. The research focus includes symptom science and patient reported outcomes, clinical judgment and decision-making, patient and family psychosocial concerns, and integration of information systems and social media into cancer care.
For questions, contact us at ArgyrosPostDocFellowship@mdanderson.org.
Program Overview
Learning Objectives:
- Fulfill personal development goals and the fellowship goals through an individualized curriculum
- Establish collaborative relationships with faculty mentors and peer researchers
- Participate in ongoing postdoctoral research forums
- Prepare and submit manuscripts for publication including at least one first author publication
- Prepare and submit grants for research funding
- Develop a research platform and trajectory
Mentor Matching
Program Director: Eileen Danaher Hacker, Ph.D., APRN, FAAN, Chair of the Department of Nursing
A primary research mentor will be individually matched. Secondary mentors will be determined based upon specific needs.
Curriculum Plan
Curriculum Components
The fellow will be assigned a primary mentor who will provide mentorship and guidance in the fellow's area of research. Secondary mentors will also provide guidance in specific developmental areas identified by the fellow and primary mentor.
The fellow will complete coursework in research methods and area of focus as well as attending department and institutional learning opportunities. Examples of courses include epidemiology, bioinformatics, health sciences, biobehavioral research.
The fellow will participate in workshops, scientific presentations, scientific writing, and grant preparation.
The fellows will work with faculty and mentors to develop an individual and professional development plan and participate in career development activities.
Deliverables include data collection and management, posters and presentations, manuscript preparation and submission, and grant preparation and submission.
Sample Curriculum
Months 1-6
- Institutional and departmental onboarding
- Completion of required institutional research, human subjects and IRB training
- Align with primary research mentor; establish specific area and direction of fellow research
- Weekly meetings with primary research mentor
- Development of individualized curriculum (courses at MD Anderson or through Coursera). For example:
- Introduction to Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics
- Clinical Epidemiology
- Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice
- Biostatistics in Public Health
- Data Management for Clinical Research
- Writing in the Science
- Research Proposal Writing
- Engage in coursework
- Establish relationship with MD Anderson Office of Education and Training
- Establish relationships with secondary mentors
- Determine dates and goals for grant submission
- Work with primary mentor on directed area of research: data collection, data analysis
- Identify and generate protocol for IRB submission building on directed area of research
- Weekly meetings with primary mentor
- Continue coursework as needed
- Attend MD Anderson Education and Training workshops
Months 6-12
- Submit IRB protocol
- Submit mentored grant proposal
- Weekly meetings with primary mentor
- Meet routinely with secondary mentors for identified areas of professional development
- Attend a relevant research focused conference
- Attend MD Anderson Education and Training workshops
Benefits
Postdoctoral Research Fellows in Oncology Nursing receive a competitive stipend of $95,000 and benefits.
Eligibility
Education: Ph.D. in Nursing or related field from an accredited university. If Ph.D. is not in nursing, must have a minimum of a master's level degree in nursing.
Licensure: Licensed or eligible for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the state of Texas
Experience: At least 2 years of experience as a clinical or advanced practice registered nurse (Negotiable)
Preferred: Prior experience in nursing research
Application Information
Deadline to submit documents is January 15, 2025
Complete and submit submit Fellowship Application via Slate online application system
- Curriculum Vitae
- 1-page personal statement describing applicant's background along with proposed career trajectory and its application to oncology nursing science
- 1-page statement detailing proposed research interests or a proposed hypothetical study
- 2 letters of recommendation that include an assessment of potential for success as a nurse scientist
Applicants will submit the names and contact information of two individuals within the SLATE system. The program will contact these individuals on behalf of the applicant to request their letter of recommendation. Authors of the letters of recommendation must submit the letters of recommendation in the SLATE system.
- Highest degree transcripts to date
- If currently enrolled in doctoral program, 1-page narrative summary of dissertation status, including purpose, importance, methods, findings, and conclusion(s)
- If completed doctoral program, 1-page abstract of dissertation
For questions, feel free to contact us at argyrospostdocfellowship@mdanderson.org.
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