Join Our Lab
Each year, we take on new research trainees, with an emphasis on undergraduate students who are interested in the intersection between medicine, public health, and community-based research. We do not typically advertise for these positions; instead, we make placements in response to proactive contact by potential trainees.
Successful research trainees will:
- Have a strong interest in health equity and tobacco dependence work
- Be ready to work with a fast-paced research lab
- Be willing to commit 10 to 20 hours per week to research
- Be willing to commit to at least a year to the lab, assuming a good fit, if there is an expectation of attaining academic deliverables (professional presentation or peer-reviewed publication)
- Work well with a diverse team
- Be open to learning, be willing to ask questions, be thorough in their communications, be respectful of others’ time and always strive for excellence in their work
- Have strong written and verbal skills
- Welcome constructive criticism and critiques of their work in the spirit of professional development
- Be enthusiastic, curious and self-motivated
- Be timely and responsive to requests and emails
Research trainees can expect to:
- Gain training on the responsible conduct of research
- Be mentored by multiple team members
- Learn about research that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative science
- Work closely with one another
- Attend several weekly meetings (as course schedules allow) for grant-funded projects of interest to them
- Participate in training activities and events organized by Dr. Reitzel and Dr. Britton for all trainees
- Assist in the day-to-day conduct of grant-funded projects
- Learn about working with community agencies on tobacco dependence screening and treatment and tobacco health equity
- Participate in professional poster presentation development and peer-reviewed manuscript submissions (as their time, commitment and interest may allow)
Why Research at MD Anderson
See how our culture of collaboration, connectivity and data-based science provides the ideal research environment.
Become a student trainee
Interested students are encouraged to email Dr. Reitzel, Dr. Britton or Dr. Martinez Leal to discuss their background and interests in the lab. Please send your CV or resume, statement of interest, potential time commitment and information about whether you are pursuing course credit.
Typically, student trainees start working as volunteers and transition to paid positions over time as fit in the lab is confirmed. The team primarily works remotely, but there are opportunities to work with various community agencies that are engaged in our projects (e.g., on site delivering training) as well as to play an active role in recruitment through attendance at professional conferences, health fairs and/or tabling at local agencies.
Staff Positions
We also routinely hire staff, particularly as we onboard new grants. Please contact a faculty member in the lab (Dr. Reitzel, Dr. Britton or Dr. Martinez Leal) to learn about any open staff positions.