PTB Graduate Student Trainer

The Program in Translational BioMedicine (PTB) seeks to provide a rich training environment for graduate students who wish to study human disease through the lens of fundamental mechanisms. In contrast to department-embedded graduate programs, PTB students train with faculty mentors across the entire Yale School of Medicine who share a common vision and commitment to translational science. PTB students therefore benefit from both the specialized community in their home department and the broad perspective provided by the PTB, which serves as a hub for the integration of basic, translational and clinical science across disciplines.

The primary mission of the Program in Translation BioMedicine (PTB) is to prepare the next generation of translational scientists to be forward-thinking leaders in academic research, medicine, education, industry and society. To achieve this mission, the PTB leverages its interdepartmental structure to break down silos between disciplines and to foster a collaborative community comprised of laboratories from across all the departments at the Yale School of Medicine. The PTB program emphasizes a flexible curriculum, personalized professional development, and a supportive environment in which all participants can reach their full potential.

Participation in graduate programs and mentorship of Ph.D. students requires understanding of, and experience with, Ph.D. training paradigms. The application process to the PTB is outlined below based on the stage of each trainer. If approved by the PTB trainer selection committee, applicants in Groups 2 and 3 will be sponsored to apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) through the direct appointment mechanism. A two-tiered review by the Yale Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) and GSAS will then take place. If approved, GSAS assignment will be for a term of 5 years coterminous with membership in the PTB program. For those with direct appointment to the graduate school, at the end of each 5-year assignment period assignees may reapply for an additional term via the same review and assignment process.

The PTB expects all trainers to commit to each of the following:

1. Prior completion of (or commitment to attend) mentorship training through the National Research Mentoring Network (NMRN) offering at the Poorvu Center or equivalent.
2. Commitment to teaching 5 hours/year in one or more of the following venues: PTB- specific coursework, Responsible Conduct in Research, Mentored clinical experience, M2P2 seminar course, etc.
3. Commitment of the trainer and members of the trainer’s group to participate in programmatic activities including Research in Progress series, annual retreat, and seminar series.
4. Commitment to service on Ph.D. thesis committees, recruiting for Yale BBS programs via participation in student recruitment events, national conferences, and participation as a mentor in pipeline programs (STARS, Amgen Scholars, BioMed SURF, START, Yale PREP)

Beyond these common aspects, we envisage that prospective trainers will fall into one of four categories, which will have additional expectations and application components.

Group 1 Faculty:
Trainers with existing graduate school appointments who desire appointment to the PTB program and are already affiliated or plan to affiliate with the MMPP track.

1. A brief statement of the applicant's reasons for wishing to mentor PhD students affiliated with the PTB program and explanation of how their research focus aligns with the PTB mission.
2. Yale format CV
3. Brief summary of mentorship experience/history

Group 2 Faculty:
Faculty who have established independence (>3 years) but do not have a graduate school appointment.

1. A brief statement of the applicant's reasons for seeking assignment to the graduate school and explanation of how their research focus that aligns with the PTB mission.
2. Yale format CV or NIH Biosketch
3. Substantial prior research experience as reflected in completion of a graduate degree (PhD or MD) including post-doctoral/fellowship research training (typically >3 years or shorter period with strong documented productivity).
4. Documented history of mentorship experience ideally including interactions with graduate students. Examples include laboratory mentorship of postdoctoral trainees, service on qualifying exams/thesis committees, and prior laboratory mentorship of PhD students during training.
5. Written statement of mentorship philosophy and narrative describing mentorship experience.
6. Demonstration of active funding including R01-level resources committed to his/her research program.
7. Evidence of successful NIH grants within the past 5 years (including mentored awards).
8. Evidence of financial investment and support from the Department/Section.
9. Letter of commitment from the Vice Chair of Research or Departmental Chair including assurance of support for graduate students.

Group 3 Faculty:
Junior faculty who have typically earned a PhD or MD/PhD at recruitment or within the first 3 years of independence who do not have a graduate school appointment.

1. A brief statement of the applicant's reasons for seeking assignment to the graduate school and explanation of how their research focus that aligns with the PTB mission.
2. Yale format CV or NIH Biosketch
3. Substantial prior research experience as reflected in completion of a graduate degree (PhD and/or MD) including post-doctoral/fellowship research training (typically >3 years or shorter period with strong documented productivity).
4. Documented history of mentorship experience including direct one-on-one mentorship of undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, fellows, and/or technicians for more than one year and/or other informal mentorship relationships such as serving on thesis committees.
5. Written statement of mentorship philosophy and narrative describing mentorship experience.
6. Evidence of NIH-funded, mentored awards or equivalent and future plans to acquire research funding.
7. Evidence that a mentorship committee for the prospective junior faculty trainer is in place to track progress on graduate student training efforts.
8. Evidence of financial investment and support such as start-up package from the Department/Section.
9. Letter of commitment from the Vice Chair of Research or Departmental Chair including assurance of support for graduate students.

Group 4 Affiliate Faculty:
Junior faculty without a PhD (typically within the first 3 years of independence or at recruitment) who have not yet met the criteria for Group 3 but wish to work towards obtaining a Graduate School appointment. The PTB leadership commit to actively sponsor junior faculty towards this goal including providing opportunities to participate in graduate education and the possibility of co-mentorship of graduate students with an experienced co-mentor.

1. A brief statement of the applicant's reasons for seeking assignment to the graduate school and explanation of how their research focus that aligns with the PTB mission
2. Yale format CV or NIH Biosketch
3. Prior research experience as reflected in completion of a graduate degree (PhD and/or MD) including post-doctoral/fellowship research training
4. Evidence of mentored awards and/or future plans to acquire research funding
5. Evidence that a mentorship committee for the prospective junior faculty trainer is in place to track progress on graduate student training efforts