Research, Funding, and Awards

  • 1/16 Extended Date - Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows Prog.

    Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows Program

    Program Summary

    The purpose of the Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows Award is to initiate and support postdoctoral fellows at research institutions across the United States, who have the highest potential for success in an independent academic career in chemistry and the life sciences, thus leading to the development of new tools and methods while providing assistance during their transition from “mentored yet independent” postdoctoral to an independent, tenure-track position. On the basis of the experience gained during the term of fellowship, the Fellow should be prepared to compete very effectively for academic openings in research universities throughout the nation. These individuals are expected to become the next generation of leaders and innovators in science, engineering, and technology.

    Limitation / Eligibility

    Institutions may put forth only one postdoctoral application.

    Candidate Eligibility

    • U.S. Citizen or permanent resident at the time the application is submitted;
    • PhD, MD, and MD/PhD;
    • In a first postdoctoral position at the time of application; and
    • Have not been in said first postdoctoral position for longer than twelve months at the time of this application;
    • Will be eligible for a tenure track position at a scientific research institution at the end of year two of the Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship.

    Mentor Eligibility

    • PhD, MD, and MD/PhD; and
    • Full-time tenure track; and
    • Active investigator in the candidate’s area of research.

    Award Information

     

    The award will range from $57,000 - $67,000, based on years of relevant postdoctoral research experience at the time of application, with funding provided for a stipend and research expenditures. Please see the chart on the overview page for exact funding levels.  Relevant doctoral experience at the time of application may include research experience (including industry), teaching assistantship, internship, residency, clinical duties, or other time spent in a science-related field beyond that of the qualifying doctoral degree.

     

    Internal Selection Procedure

     

    The Graduate School at UConn has established an internal review procedure to select the UConn nominee. Applications will be reviewed according to the sponsor's selection criteria. Potential applicants must submit the following information:

     

    1.  A two-page CV
    2.  A description of the proposed research. It should have the following elements:

    • A cover sheet with the project title, your name, department, and campus address, and the title of the program you are responding to.
    • A description of the proposed project from the candidate (no more than three pages in length) responding to the following sponsor-identified criteria:
      • Specific Aims: Identify the aims of the proposed research; 
      • Background: Candidate should describe the background leading to the proposed research; 
      • Significance of the research: Include a brief historical background of the proposed research, including major findings by you and/or others in relevant fields; 
      • Proposed strategy and approach (research design and methods): Describe in detail the hypothesis, methodology, plans for achieving the specific aims, the rationale for the proposed approach, potential pitfalls and expected/alternative outcomes of the proposed studies; 
      • Other aspects: (formal and informal) of the program that will contribute to the total training environment (such as, interaction with senior professionals, participation in staff conferences, teaching, consultation, etc); 
      • List any planned coursework; 
      • List pertinent literature references. Ensure that the fellow has access to a broad academic network to support his/her work.
    • A mentorship and career development plan from the mentor (no more than three pages in length) responding to the following sponsor- identified criteria (abbreviated):
      • Define the % of time the mentor will dedicate to the Fellow;
      • How this support relates to the candidate's proposed research project;
      • Institutional Support: Describe the research environment and the availability and quality of needed research facilities and research resources (eg., equipment, lab space, computing resources, subject populations);
      • Assessment of the candidate qualifications and potential for a career as a productive, independent researcher. 
    • Additional pages may be added for references. 
    • Please be sure the project is identified on each page and number the pages.

    The above materials must be submitted to Rowena Grainger at rowena.grainger@uconn.edu, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16th. The selected nominee will be asked to complete the full application package in accordance with the sponsor's deadline of Monday, February 2, 2014.

     

    For more information, contact: Rowena Grainger at rowena.grainger@uconn.edu