Purpose
The purpose of the collaborative Postdoctoral Fellowship program between Massey Cancer Center (MCC) and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center is to develop and implement a bidirectional educational and training experience targeted for post-graduate/post-doctoral trainees who have completed terminal doctoral degrees in cancer-relevant fields.
Possible Tracks
Cancer Biology and Translational Sciences Track
Post-doctoral fellows will spend one to two years in a Massey Cancer Center member’s laboratory where research might be focused in numerous areas of cancer biology (e.g., cancer genetics and epigenetics, cancer cell signaling, tumor microenvironment) and developmental therapeutics (e.g., new compound development, drug resistance, clinical trials).
Cancer Prevention and Control Track
Post-doctoral fellows will spend one to two years engaging in multidisciplinary cancer prevention and control (CPC) research with members of the Massey Cancer Center CPC research program. This track will offer hybrid and non-virtual options.
Post-doctoral Fellows Eligibility
- Applicants must have already earned or be within 5 months of earning a terminal doctoral degree, with no more than two years of postdoctoral training in cancer-relevant fields.
- Applicants must be able to commit full-time effort to research during each year of the training period, verified by the letter of support from the mentor.
- The potential UPRCCC applicants, their co-mentors and the potential MCC mentors must attend the initial open house to identify common research interests and potential matches. Following this event, UPRCCC applicants will collaborate with their preferred MCC mentor to prepare a post-doctoral program application, which will undergo a competitive selection process. MCC and UPRCCC leaders will review the applications and choose two post-doctoral fellows to support.
Program Expectations
- Submission of at least one proposal for extramural support (NIH diversity supplement, F32 or other foundational support for postdoctoral fellows).
- Publication of at least two original, peer-reviewed research papers by the end of the fellowship.
- Development of an Individual Development Plan with the MCC mentor that will undergo quarterly review by a joint UPRCCC and MCC leadership team.
- Completion of yearly progress report to document significant progress to qualify for second year of funding.
- The Post-doctoral Fellow will be expected to attend Massey Cancer Center research seminars, grant writing workshops, retreats, and symposia offered throughout the year.
- The mentor is expected to attend at least one yearly scientific event hosted by UPRCCC.
Please visit the BRIDGE program informational website for further details.
You may also contact CRTEC Coordinator, Wilfredo Morales