CTEGD-Janssen Visiting Scholars

The Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases at the University of Georgia seeks to share more broadly our expertise, facilities, and other resources with a larger group of scientists from neglected disease endemic countries and in the process, build their capacity to work in this critically important area.

Through the generous support of Janssen Research and Development, CTEGD is able to provide competitive fellowships to visiting scholars in the area of Chagas Diseases for highly qualified investigators from Latin America. In the initial year of this program, the selected investigators would work in the area of Chagas disease at the CTEGD, although they might also work collaboratively with other members of more than 20 CTEGD laboratories.

Selected Post-doctoral Scholars will receive round-trip travel support, 12-month salary, and health insurance benefits.

Competitive Sabbatical Scholar support for early/mid-career independent faculty investigators will include 6 to 12 months of generous travel and living expenses.

Successful candidates would be expected to contribute to ongoing Chagas-related research projects within the CTEGD while also exploring their individual interests in collaboration with CTEGD scientists. Potential applicants are encouraged to consult with the program director Rick Tarleton ([email protected]) on potential research areas.

Review of applications will begin March 1; there is no specific deadline although awards are expected to be determined by July 2018.

Inquiries should be sent to [email protected]

Elgibility

The CTEGD-Janssen Visiting Scholar Program is open to post-doctoral level trainees and early to mid-career independent faculty investigators from Latin America who work in the area of Chagas Disease. Newly graduated Ph.D. scholars are encouraged to apply for the post-doctoral award.

Application Process

Potential candidates are encouraged to submit an initial Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply, indicating a proposed timetable, general area of research interest, and including a CV. The CTEGD-Janseen Visiting Scholars Program may provide feedback, particularly on specific research areas, as well as direction on completion of the application package.

A complete application will include:
  1.    a standard CV
  2.    official diploma as evidence of PhD, MD, DVM or equivalent degree (post-doc scholars only)
  3.    a statement of research interests and objectives for the fellowship/sabbatical period and overall professional goals (up to 3 pages)
  4.    three references (academic and/or professional)
  5.    a statement from Department/Institute/Center Director indicating status as an independent investigator (head of lab) and Institution approval of sabbatical leave (Sabbatical Scholars only)

Email complete application to [email protected]

Selection Process

Each application is independently reviewed by 3 CTEGD faculty and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via Skype.

The selection criteria will include:
  • Academic and professional record and status
    • preference is given for post-doc fellowships to individuals with less than 3 years post-PhD experience.
    • preference is given for Sabbatical Scholars to individuals with less than 10 years experience as an independent investigator.
  • Research experience and productivity
  • Compatibility between research/training interests of the applicant and the opportunities in the CTEGD.
  • English language proficiency. If the first language of the applicant is not English, applicant must submit a TOEFL score. Acceptable scires are based upon UGA graduate school requirements (at least 213 on the computer-based exam, a 550 paper-based score, or an 80 on the internet-based TOEFL). Applicants for Sabbatical Scholar support may demonstrate English proficiency via a history or written and spoken English presentations (published senior author manuscripts and lectures/seminars).

Support Provided

Selected Post-Doctoral and Sabbatical Scholars will receive the following support:

  • Round-trip air travel
  • Travel processing (visa)
  • Health insurance
  • Travel to a US scientific meeting
  • Salary (Post-doctoral Scholar) or Stipend (Sabbatical Scholar)

For Post-doctoral Scholar recipients, CTEGD-Janssen Funding is limited to 1 year, although continued funding of successful projects through other sources is possible.

Support for Sabbatical Scholars for 6 months is preferred; 12 month support is possible but stays of less than 6 months are not likely to be funded.