Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Aging

Application Process

The following are the steps for completing the application process for the postdoctoral training program.

Step 1: INITIATE CONTACT

Initiate your application by sending a letter briefly describing your research and a copy of your Curriculum Vitae to Dr. Deborah Gold, Research Training Program, Center for Aging, Box 3003, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. Dr. Gold can work with you on finding an appropriate mentor, if necessary. The application must be written in conjunction with your chosen mentor. If you have questions you may contact Dr. Gold by e-mail, by phone (919) 660-7530, or by mail at the above address.

Step 2: WRITE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

There is no required format for the research proposal, but in general it should look like a mini-grant proposal for the NIH. It must be developed with your mentor so that the work proposed will be suitable for his/her laboratory.

Step 3: SUBMIT ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

I.) CAREER PLAN: Briefly outline your long-term career goals. Indicate the type of institution, role and field(s) of interest to which you hope to move in the future.

II.) TRAINING PLAN: Indicate the specific aspects of training you wish to accomplish and how the proposed research in this program will carry you toward your indicated career goals.

III.) MENTOR LETTER and MENTOR CV: Please ask your proposed mentors to write a brief statement in which they state that they are (1) willing to serve as mentors and (2) willing to provide whatever resources are necessary for you to complete your proposed research (lab space, computers, and so on). This letter and the mentors' CV's should be sent to Dr. Gold by the mentors.

IV.) LETTERS OF REFERENCE: Please have three individuals familiar with your research and academic potential write letters of recommendation for you. Each should have the recommendation form attached to it. These letters and forms should be sent to Dr. Gold. NOTE: Your letters of recommendation should come from people other than your mentor.

V.) TRANSCRIPT: Please have your graduate school send a transcript of your course work directly to Dr. Gold.

NOTIFICATION

All materials in the application should be sent to Dr. Gold. The deadline is March 1, but earlier application is encouraged so as to permit earlier notification to the candidates. You will be notified before May 1st of the decision of our committee. If all positions are not filled at that time, then additional applications will be reviewed until all openings are filled.

BASIS OF JUDGING APPLICATIONS

Applications are judged on the basis of their scientific merit, relevance to aging, and the fit of the trainee's needs for training with the resources of the mentor and the training program.