External Candidate Instructions

Thank you for considering the University of Maryland, Baltimore for your career development. This instruction sheet will guide you through the application process.   Please note, the career development and research plans should be in 11 point Helvetica, Georgia, Palatino Linotype, or Arial type with .5 inch margins.

Applications must include:

• A completed MCRDP Application Form

• One page Abstract – overall description of the proposal

• NIH Biosketch 

• A Personal Career Development Plan addressing the following (Limit: 2 pages):

1. Brief summary of your career path to date, including any research training and a description of your current research interests.
2. Description of overall career goals (both short and long term), including how you plan to incorporate a multidisciplinary approach in your career.
3. Description of how the proposed research project, coursework and other training experiences will meet these career goals.

Applicants should specify the courses they will take and explain how they relate to career goals.  They must demonstrate that they have received or will participate in training in biostatistics, data managment, epidemiology or study design as well as legal and ethical issues associated with research on human subjects.  A brief description of proposed seminars, journal clubs, and scientific conferences to be attended as well as opportunities for interactions with other scientists could also be included.

The career development plan should be "customized" for the candidate, based on clearly stated career goals and past experience.

Resouces available:

http://medschool.umaryland.edu/epidemiology/grad_courses.asp

http://medschool.umaryland.edu/epidemiology/masters_clinres.asp

http://lifesciences.umaryland.edu/phdclinicians/

• A Description of your Research Project (Total limit: 5-7 pages)

1. After contacting your proposed primary mentor, please describe your research project.
2. Hypothesis and Specific Aims
3. Background and Significance (Limit: ½ page).
4. Preliminary data, if applicable
5. Research plan for each aim.

• Please explain how your selected mentor will assist you with your research and how your research will be distinguished from your mentor’s work (Limit: 400 words). 

• Please describe your ideal job (Limit: 250 words)

• A Letter of Recommendation from the proposed primary mentor of the candidate.

This letter must include the mentor's opinion of the candidate's qualifications, in particular motivation and potential for future success. The letter should also indicate the mentor's qualifications,including experience in providing similar mentorship (the NIH biosketch, including training record, of the mentor should be attached). The letter should also indicate that adequate space, facilities, and resources will be made available for the successful completion of the Scholar’s research project. If the practicum experience is to also include involvement in an ongoing research project sponsored by the mentor, then the mentor should provide a description of that project, a description of the specific role of the candidate in this project and how the candidate’s contribution o the project will be distinct original, or independent.

• A Letter of Support from the chair of the candidate's proposed department.

This letter should state the willingness of the department to provide an academic appointment at the assistant professor level to the successful candidate and must specifically state that at least 75% of the candidate's time will be protected for coursework and research should the candidate be selected for the program. The letter should also comment on opportunities for the further career development of the candidate (including research space and other resources), and should address the chair’s opinion of the candidate's motivation and likelihood to become an independent investigator.

• Faculty Letters of Recommendation from members of the candidate’s current institution who are thoroughly familiar with the candidate’s clinical and research related activities.

The letter should include the writer’s opinion of your professional, academic and personal qualifications, as well as his/her opinion of your potential for success in the multidisciplinary field for which you are applying.  The faculty members should represent at least two different disciplines.  (Letter limits: No fewer than two and no more than 4)

The required letters must be received no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2008. Except for letters of recommendation, which must be mailed, all other required materials may be sent via email to k12mcrscholars@medicine.umaryland.edu. 

Mail to:
Laura Bell-Martin, Program Manager
Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Program
University of Maryland, Baltimore
MSTF, Room 314
685 W. Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

For further information, contact Laura Bell-Martin at 410-706-6283 or lmartin@medicine.umaryland.edu.

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