The UCSC Training Program in Systems Biology of Stem Cells, funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), provides postdoctoral students with a solid understanding of the biology of stem cells, the skills to use stem cells in their own research, and the ability to devise and use computational approaches in their stem cell research.

Aggregate of mouse embryonic stem cells, many of which have differentiated into neurons Photo: Andre Love, HHMI, UCSC

The Postdoctoral CIRM Scholars program offers three fellowships for researchers pursuing or planning to pursue laboratory research with a UCSC CIRM mentor in some aspect of stem cell biology.

Program trainees receive guidance from UCSC faculty mentors and are expected to participate in activities associated with the CIRM Training Program, which may include attending and presenting research at a UCSC monthly seminar, a UCSC stem cell journal club, a Bay Area stem cell research group, and an annual retreat. Postdoctoral fellows may be expected to participate in planning and organizing some of the scholarly activities related to the training program. Scholars are encouraged to attend and present their work at a national scientific conference.

The program offers a stipend of $51,000 per year plus health, dental, and vision insurance and a research allowance of $10,000 per year to cover laboratory supplies, travel, and books.

Award period: two years, with the second year contingent on satisfactory progress in the program.

Course requirements: Postdoctoral CIRM Scholars will be expected to consult with the CIRM advisory committee and to audit stem cell training program-specific courses as deemed necessary: Introduction to Stem Cell Biology, Ethics of Stem Cell Research, and Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratory.

Other requirements: Scholars must submit a 1-2 page report near the end of their first year, which must be approved by the Executive Committee prior to embarking on the second year of scholarship.

Eligibility: Candidates must have received a Ph.D. or a professional doctorate in a scientifically related field and must be pursuing or planning to pursue laboratory research with a UCSC CIRM mentor in some aspect of stem cell biology. Trainees are not required to be California residents or US citizens. UCSC and the CIRM are particularly interested in training a diverse pool of individuals from many backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities.

Selection criteria: The CIRM Executive Committee will select Scholars based on academic record, written recommendations, research accomplishments, quality of publications and project proposal, and potential impact of the proposed research on the field of stem cell research.

Application process: Submit the following electronically at apply-CIRM@soe.ucsc.edu:

1. a 2-4-page project proposal
2. your CV
3. a letter of support from the proposed CIRM mentor in whose laboratory the work will be performed
4. (optional) arrange for a second letter of support to be submitted to the advisory committee on your behalf

Application deadline: The application deadline for the first cycle of scholars has passed

Start date: July 1, 2006