Research Scholar

American Addiction Centers • Winston-Salem, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) Research and Education in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias Initiative for Excellence (READDIE; pronounced “ready”) Program is designed for one year of training to facilitate post-baccalaureate trainees’ entry into and completion of PhD programs in Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD). Funded by The National Institute of Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it includes academic enhancements and extensive research experiences aimed at preparing individuals in biomedical and behavioral sciences to complete PhD programs in these disciplines. The one-year program helps scholars demonstrate research and academic proficiency before fall program applications, with potential for a second year in the program to reinforce their science identity as ADRD researchers. Scholars should not be appointed for less than one year; a second year is allowable only at the discretion of the READDIE program directors and if within the awarded costs of the program. The training plan starts in the summer to allow scholars to acclimate to the program and select their research mentors and projects prior to the beginning of coursework. Activities during the year will enhance progression towards a PhD (or MD/PhD) program by demonstrating research and academic proficiency prior to fall graduate school application dates. Scholars will be exposed to varied career paths related to ADRD research, and receive career counseling to encourage long-term engagement in the field. Each scholar selects a faculty mentor and conducts a biomedical research project in the mentor’s laboratory /research group. Individualized Development Plans (IDPs) help guide professional development activities and mentored research, tailored to prior experience and curricular needs. IDPs will be designed within the context of a one-year apprenticeships, similar to graduate students, to provide the necessary skills to prepare the students for rigorous PhD programs. The research apprenticeship is intended to build the skills needed to be accepted into top-tier PhD programs. READDIE scholars will conduct independent research, develop hypotheses, design experiments, and take responsibility for research projects, gaining valuable discovery experiences. The program fosters a supportive environment with opportunities to interact with peers, postdocs, and investigators, preparing scholars for success in demanding PhD programs. READDIE scholars will dedicate 75% of their time to research and 25% to academic development, including relevant courses, journal clubs, workshops, seminars, and community engagement. Activities should enrich the participants’ verbal, analytical and critical thinking abilities and build their academic credentials; coursework will align with requirements of selective PhD programs. It is expected that upon completion of apprenticeship, READDIE scholars will apply to high-caliber PhD programs.

Requirements

• Recent baccalaureate graduates in a biomedically relevant science who have graduated from accredited U.S. colleges or universities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico no more than 36 months prior to applying to READDIE and are not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program.
• US citizens.
• Completed a baccalaureate degree, typically with a GPA of 2.5 or better, with an emphasis on courses in the biomedical sciences, which is documented on a transcript from their college or university.
• Interest in a career in biomedical research, with the goal of attaining a PhD.
• Application accompanied by documentation of a statement of interest and two letters of recommendation from faculty at the degree-granting institution.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a biomedical research training project as an apprentice scientist similar to a first-year graduate student, preferably authoring or co-authoring an abstract or publication on their research
• Participate in a READDIE journal club and other student-focused journal clubs within the host faculty’s department or graduate program
• Participate in sessions for professional development activities including but not limited to technical writing, presentations of scientific material in oral, written and poster format, lay audience speaking, job and academic etiquette
• Attend training sessions on safety and ethics in biomedical research with graduate students
• Attend graduate level courses appropriate to their research interest and targeted PhD or MD/PhD graduate programs of interest
• Attend training sessions on graduate educational opportunities and apply to at least two graduate programs by the end of the training period
• Attend recruitment activities at national meetings in fall of first year to network and learn about graduate programs at various universities
• Prepare a poster describing their research and make a presentation at a poster session in June

Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level