Negotiating a Post Doctoral Fellowship

1. Negotiating a Post Doctoral Fellowship Doris Hill, PhD, RN, CNOR

2. Goal of Postdoctoral Programs • To enrich and broaden the research talent of highly qualified individuals. • Provides opportunities for individuals to: • continue to pursue their research interests, • develop expertise in new areas, or • start a new line of research.

3. Selection Criteria • Must have earned a Ph.D. • Primary criteria: --Applicant’s scientific capability and potential --Good match between the applicant’s research interests and the research opportunities available at research centers

4. Plan • Typically the groundwork should begin six months to a year in advance: • Investigate available opportunities for research that fit your interests and abilities. • Contact the appropriate Research adviser. Applicants are usually judged: • based on their proposed research • their education and the expertise needed to conduct the research. • Determine application deadlines

5. Sources of Information • College websites • Check for specific departments which fit your research interests. • Research and training opportunities at the National Institutes of Health • http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/fellow.html#prog • Foundations • Robert Wood Johnson

6. Sources of Information • Fellowships such as the MFP Ethnic Minority Fellowship • Post doctoral http://www.nursingworld.org/emfp/fellowships/post.htm

7. Things to Do • Update your CV • Identify your research interests • Set goals • Determine if you want a location which is local or distant. • Review the application process

8. Negotiation • Arrange to visit with mentor and tour the facility. Meet other individuals with whom you may interact. • What interests do you have in common? • Potential for meeting goals. • Is there a good fit? Discuss positives as well as concerns. • Balance other commitments.