T32 Surgical Oncology Training Program

Department of Surgery
Washington University in St. Louis

Surgical Oncology T32 Trainee Washington University School of Medicine Training slots are available for the Surgical Oncology Basic Science and Translational Research Training Program at Washington University School of Medicine. The goal of our program is to provide surgical trainees the opportunity to develop fundamental skill sets in basic science, translational, and public health research. The training program typically includes a focused mentored research experience with opportunities to participate in formal coursework through the Clinical Research Training Center and the Division of Public Health Sciences, with the potential to obtain a Master’s degree. The program offers eight positions per year. Appointments are typically two to three years in duration. Candidates must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents to qualify, and must be surgical trainees in an ACGME surgical training program. Stipends for living expenses and health allowance are provided, along with a small budget for supplies, travel, and research expenses. Trainees are expected to be committed to full-time basic research training (40 hours/week) with a two-year commitment (no clinical responsibility will be expected of the trainees) and are required to complete training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). Additionally, trainees are required to provide annual progress reports during and after the period of support. More information is available on this web page. How To Apply To apply, please provide a curriculum vitae and cover letter detailing your career goals in academic surgery. Interested individuals should contact Alissa Hanten (ontiberosa@wustl.edu). The standard, annual deadline for receipt of all application material is May 31. However, applications will be accepted and considered on a continuing basis until the postdoctoral positions are filled. Please visit siteman.wustl.edu/surgicaloncologyprogram for more details.

Surgical Oncology Training Program:

• This research training program is funded by a T32 award from the National Cancer Institute to the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine.
• This grant supports a comprehensive educational program in laboratory research in cell and developmental biology, immunobiology, molecular biology and molecular genetics/genomics. The aim is to support surgical residents and/or fellows who are planning careers devoted to oncology in the specialties of general, pediatric and thoracic surgery, as well as gynecologic oncology. The long-term objective of this program is to prepare surgical trainees, through an intense educational program and mentored research experiences, to become independent scientific investigators and to acquire faculty positions in academic departments as well as to become leading physician scientists.
• The typical training period is two years, with a maximum of three years.

Number of Candidates Accepted Per Year:

• Eight positions are available each year.

Applicant Eligibility:

• Applicants must have an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. and must not have had more than one year of previous postdoctoral support from another NIH institutional training grant or individual NIH fellowship award.
• All applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• Physicians on temporary or student visas are not eligible.

Acceptance Criteria of the Program:
The acceptance criteria are based on the following:

• Academic credentials and recommendations
• Strong interest in cancer research and a desire for an academic career in surgical oncology

Goals of the Training Program:
The primary training goal of the T32 Surgical Oncology Training Program is to develop academic surgeons who have outstanding skills in: 1) the multidisciplinary clinical care of patients with a particular emphasis on cancer patients; 2) the performance of fundamental laboratory research; and 3) the teaching of fellows, house staff and medical students.

Stipend Support:

• Postdoctoral stipend levels are set by the NIH each year, and commensurate with the number of years of postgraduate training. Current NIH stipend levels can be found at https://www.niaid.nih.gov/grants-contracts/salary-cap-stipends.
• The grant also covers health insurance, travel, and trainee-related expenses.

Expectations of the Trainees:

• Trainees are expected to be committed to full-time basic research training (40 hours/week) with two year commitment.
• No clinical responsibility will be expected of the trainees.
• Trainees will attend regularly scheduled seminars and journal clubs.
• Trainees will be expected to complete training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
• Trainees will have the responsibility to provide annual progress reports during and after the period of support.

For more information, please contact:
Alissa Hanten 
ontiberosa@wustl.edu