PCCSM Postbaccalaureate Research Training Program

The PCCSM Postbaccalaureate Program prepares college graduates to apply for rigorous Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., and M.D. programs. This program seeks to inspire recent college graduates to pursue careers in oncology. This is a non-clinical program, and patient care/services or participation in clinical activities are not permitted.

We work with specific educational partnering institutions to offer postbacc training spots. Nominations from these partners are accepted at specific times in the fall. Partners will be contacted when we are ready to receive nominations for applications.

The experience of final candidates will be defined by an individual development plan created in partnership with a faculty mentor and tailored around the trainee’s academic and professional interests and goals.

Postbaccalaureate appointments are paid, full-time benefits-eligible positions. Trainees are expected to work under the supervision of a faculty mentor, and at the end of the program, they are required to demonstrate their ability to plan and execute a presentation of their work and/or produce a scientific paper describing their research or project.

Candidates can choose to tailor their training in any of the research areas at MD Anderson, including:

Basic Science Research
Cancer Prevention Research
Pathology/Laboratory Research
Radiation Oncology
Translational Research

Eligibility

Applicants must have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field no more than two years prior to starting the program.
Applicants must possess a strong academic record in basic sciences, biomedical science, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, epidemiology, behavioral science, cancer prevention, related public health disciplines, and/or radiation oncology.
Individuals holding a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (e.g., M.D., D.V.M., or M.B.B.S.) are not eligible.
Applicants concurrently enrolled in a degree-granting program, residency or other clinical training program are not eligible.
Students who have been accepted into graduate, other doctoral, or medical school programs must be able to provide written permission from their school to delay entrance for up to one year to pursue a research project at MD Anderson

Term Limit or Program Duration

Duration of one year; one-year reappointment is exceptional and would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Appointments may not exceed two years.

Compensation

Participants will receive an annual stipend and are eligible to receive medical insurance benefits. Applicants may also be supported in full by agencies, grants or external fellowship award. Under no circumstances should a trainee's or other individual's personal funds be used to supplement internally or externally supported stipend to the MD Anderson minimum level.

Postbaccalaureate Stipend Levels
Bachelor's - 1st Year: $36,000
Bachelor's - 2nd Year: $37,500
Master's: $37,000

Application Requirements

We work with many educational partnering institutions to offer postbacc training spots. Nominations from these partners are accepted at specific times in the fall. Partners will be contacted when we are ready to receive nominations for applications. Nominated applicants are required to create a Slate application portal account to complete an application and provide the following documents: Two letters of recommendation. One reference letter should come from a faculty mentor outside of MD Anderson. The appointing mentor may not provide a recommendation.

Proof of bachelor’s or master’s degree
Official Transcripts
Biosketch-NIH Format
myIDP Individual Development Plan
Statement of Intent describing the applicant's research interests and career goals

Final candidates will be required to meet the following onboarding contingencies prior to their program start date:

A clear sanction check and criminal and personal background check;
Verification that all required immunizations have been received;
A degree equivalency evaluation (evidence that the foreign degree is equivalent to a required U.S. degree)
A valid and appropriate visa status, for foreign nationals;
Personal funds may not be used to fund or supplement a postbacc position.

Postbaccalaureate IDP and Assessment

The Post-Baccalaureate IDP will guide applicants and their mentors as they define their goals and formulate plans for the coming year. The IDP must be completed three weeks after the program start date. An end of program assessment must also be completed, signed by the trainee and the mentor, and then submitted one week prior to the program end date.

Curriculum Requirements

Program participants are expected to participate in program-specific activities as well as complete 48 hours of curriculum content that includes Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training and related professional and career development.