Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (TAPS) Program
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS
The Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (TAPS) Program is inviting applications for two- and three-year postdoctoral fellowships in studies relating to the prevention of AIDS. Offered through the UCSF Department of Medicine, TAPS is located at the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), which is itself part of the Division of General Internal Medicine of the Department of Medicine. As part of the UCSF AIDS Research Institute (ARI), CAPS represents a unique collaboration between university, government, community-based and private local agencies in which:- The University of California, San Francisco, trains investigators and conducts research in behavioral medicine, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, medical ethics, and health policy;
- The Institute for Health Policy Studies (IHPS) conducts policy-oriented research and analysis on a wide range of health issues and applies findings on the national, state and local levels, while also offering training in health policy and health services research;
- The California AIDS Research Center (CARC) coordinates and supports innovative and beginning research among AIDS investigators at UCSF;
- The San Francisco Department of Public Health provides expertise in substance-abuse issues, AIDS surveillance and HIV serosurveillance, epidemiologic research, AIDS prevention education, and HIV health services, as well as offering sites for research.
The Center for AIDS Prevention Studies was established at the University of California, San Francisco in 1986. CAPS conducts epidemiological and behavioral studies in the primary prevention and early intervention of HIV infection. Research activities are carried out locally, nationally, and internationally by more than 70 faculty investigators and scientific staff, along with their support staff. CAPS also conducts ethical and policy analyses of AIDS-related issues, and provides a program of technology transfer and exchange with community-based organizations. Areas of special emphasis in AIDS research include:
- Epidemiologic Research
- Studies of AIDS Risk Behaviors
- Substance Abuse and HIV
- Primary Prevention Interventions
- Studies of HIV-Positive Individuals
- Policy and Ethics
- International Research
- Research Addressing Minority Populations
- Other public health and clinical aspects of AIDS
More than 80 AIDS-related research projects now being implemented by CAPS investigators will provide a wide variety of opportunities for Fellow participation. More information about CAPS is available at our web site: http://www.caps.ucsf.edu.
AIDS PREVENTION STUDIES FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Traineeships in AIDS Prevention Studies (TAPS) program trains scientists for academic and public health careers. Candidates must have a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctorate degree. The program is suitable for those who have recently completed their training, and for those who are already faculty members of academic or clinical departments.
The Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, with its unique combination of institutional resources situated in a region with a high prevalence of HIV infection, provides an excellent environment for postdoctoral training. To accomplish its goal, the Center offers Fellows supplementary academic preparation in research methods, public health, AIDS, and other specific learning objectives, and gives them several closely supervised experiences in AIDS prevention research. Fellows who already have a Master of Public Health [MPH] degree or its equivalent may complete the program in two years; those who do not will be required to complete the MPH degree at UC Berkeley in the first year, followed by two years of research training. The option of completing a 2-year Master's in Clinical Research at UCSF is also available as an alternative to the MPH. All incoming fellows are encouraged to take the 10-week TICR postdoctoral training course in clinical research. http://www.epibiostat.ucsf.edu/courses/summerworkshop.html
At the end of the training program each Fellow will have:
- completed an MPH degree or Master's in Clinical Research;
- taken advanced courses in research methods, statistics and other topics relevant to his or her major fields of interest;
- participated in and led numerous seminars on research topics within CAPS, as well as in the formal teaching programs of the University;
- designed several research protocols and completed at least one significant research project under the direction of a faculty mentor; and
- made presentations at national or international meetings, and submitted
several papers for publication.
All recipients of NIH research fellowships must sign an agreement with the NIH that they will fulfill a "service payback" commitment in return for their postdoctoral support. Under the provisions of this commitment, postdoctoral fellows in the first 12 months of their training program will incur an obligation which can be satisfied by an additional 12 months of NIH-supported research training or an equal number of months of health-related research or teaching. Individuals completing two years of postdoctoral support have no further service obligations stemming from postdoctoral support. Trainees who complete less than two years of training may be liable for a financial payback obligation for part or all NIH-funded training.
FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT
Each Fellow will be provided with logistic support including a computer, travel to at least one annual professional meeting, health insurance, and other support as required to make the training experience productive. NIH stipends range from $36,996 annually for persons with no relevant postdoctoral experience through $43,428 for those with three years of experience up to a maximum of $51,036 for seven or more years of experience. The costs of the Master's Degree, if required, will also be covered by the fellowship. Unless other arrangements are more suitable, all Fellows will use the modern and fully equipped office facilities occupied by CAPS in downtown San Francisco.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The fellowship program starts on July 1st of each year. Applications should be submitted, at the latest, by December 1st; an application decision will be announced by the following March. Persons interested in this program may request an application package at any time receive additional information about the fellowship and an application form. The Master of Public Health degree program requires a separate application, due December 1st. You may obtain information regarding the MPH Program at the Berkeley campus of the University of California by calling the School of Public Health at 510/643-0881, or by writing and sending your name and address to sphinfo@socrates.berkeley.edu . You can also find information about UCB School of Public Health admissions on the Internet at the following web site: http://sph.berkeley.edu . Information about the UCSF Master's in Clinical Research is available at http://www.epibiostat.ucsf.edu/courses/masters.html .
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree, and must be an American citizen, a non-citizen national of the U.S. (e.g., American Samoa), or have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence and have an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551). The most important selection criteria will be evidence of superior qualifications and productivity, demonstrated interest in AIDS prevention research, and career goals that can clearly benefit from the fellowship program. Candidates who are members of a minority ethnic group are strongly encouraged to apply.
Further questions about the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies research training program and requests for applications should be directed to:
Rochelle Blanco
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies
TAPS Fellowship Program
50 Beale Street, Suite 1300
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 597-9260
Fax: (415) 597-9213
E-mail: Rochelle.Blanco@ucsf.edu