CTSA Postdoctoral T32 at Johns Hopkins

The mission of the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) Postdoctoral Program (T32) is to provide an integrated set of training opportunities focused on the core principles of translational science augmented by instruction in biodesign principles and methodology. We will focus the training experience on (1) specific skills for competency in research including research applications of biodesign methodology, (2) individual mentored project development, and (3) developing skills in community engagement to advance trust in science. A core program goal is to advance cross-disciplinary training among researchers in translational science. Our history of successful recruitment and selection of highly qualified trainees from various schools, specialties, and participating institutions allows us to build on our efforts to enroll a wider range of trainees who bring multiple disciplines to address health problems. We will use existing strategies to recruit trainees in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and public health with varied scientific interests and perspectives in translational science. Our partnership with UMB will provide additional access to varied health professionals who approach problems in unique ways. We (1) Teach core principles in clinical and translational research, ensuring trainees have the knowledge and skills to succeed in their scientific pursuits and build an identity as a translational researcher; (2) Provide a supportive and collaborative culture for trainees; (3) Create a community of clinical and translational science trainees, building networks and collaborations among trainees (and mentors) to drive innovation; and (4) Encourage the development of team science skills. Trainees will recognize the importance of working collaboratively, an increasingly critical research skill. Our integrated program offers a multidisciplinary mentoring team, didactic training, competency-based interactive workshops, core ICTR resources, peer-support and resource-sharing designed to stimulate lifelong engagement in a clinical and translational research career. The program offers trainees intensive and hands-on learning experiences that prepare them to be exemplary clinical and translational scientists in any discipline, specialty or subspecialty. Our heterogeneous pool of trainees will emerge equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities to advance diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical interventions and behavioral modifications to improve the health of all Americans as they develop into independent researchers. We will perform continuous program evaluation with multiple metrics. We evaluate the program itself (faculty, courses, seminars) and track enrollment, retention and satisfaction of trainees; and conduct course and mentoring evaluations. Like the consortium of CTSA academic medical institutions across the country, we will report on trainee performance and satisfaction as well as mentor satisfaction. We will also measure, evaluate and disseminate the impact of translational research from our program. The JHU ICTR T32 will support 5 postdoctoral trainees per year for 24 months.