NIH Postdoctoral Training Award

Training academic researchers and educators is essential to advance biomedical science in the US, and providing this training is central to the mission of the University of Kansas.

Recently, faculty in the Departments of Molecular Biosciences (MB) and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) were awarded a new $4.1 million postdoctoral training grant from the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).

The IRACDA at the University of Kansas (K12 GM154719) is led by Drs. Stuart Macdonald (MB), Kristi Neufeld (MB), and Paulyn Cartwright (EEB). The program will ultimately support up to 10 postdoctoral scholars, each engaging in a 3-year program of research, teaching and professional development. Scholars will be provided with individualized, mentored research training by KU faculty, joining a research group in one of 5 units on either the KU campus or at KU Medical Center (Chemistry, Ecology & Evolution, KU Cancer Center, Molecular Biosciences, School of Pharmacy).

Additionally, to prepare scholars for a future academic career that merges research and pedagogy, scholars will be provided with training in education, building their skills via workshops and real-world teaching experiences. To facilitate this, the KU IRACDA team have partnered with Haskell Indians Nations University and Kansas City Kansas Community College. Scholars will be mentored by teaching faculty at these institutions, and gain meaningful educational experience as instructors-of-record for science classes. Notably, given the diverse student body at each of these institutions, KU IRACDA scholars will build skills in culturally sensitive teaching methods, and work directly with students who are underrepresented in STEM fields.

Late-stage doctoral students who are interested in pursuing a postdoctoral position that encompasses research and teaching are encouraged to contact the KU IRACDA leadership.