Voice Research Training Opportunities

Applicants to the Postdoctoral Fellowship program are evaluated based on past experience, interest in pursuing a voice-related research career and the quality of their recommendations. One postdoctoral fellow is accepted to the program annually. A commitment of two years is required.

Postdoctoral fellows engage in a mentored laboratory research project as well as a clinical research project. Individualized learning plans, as well as a basic science mentor and a clinical research mentor, ensure a well-rounded experience in laboratory and clinical research, while building an understanding of how to translate research from bench to bedside.

Training includes:

• Coursework in fundamentals of clinical research (including principles of research design and statistical analyses)
• Basic science research coursework if needed for proficiency
• A variety of seminars and lectures on clinical research and voice biology
• Participation in voice-related conferences, journal clubs and lab meetings
• The Advanced Short Course in Clinical Research offered by the University of Wisconsin Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR)

Postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to submit an individual F32 fellowship grant to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to extend their training period when appropriate. Postdoctoral fellows who make remarkable achievements during their training will be encouraged to submit a career development grant through UW ICTR or a Pathway to Independence to NIH to fund an additional year of postdoctoral training.

Postdoctoral trainee stipends are fixed by the NIH and vary depending on the number of years of experience following PhD or MD degree. Trainees are eligible for health insurance, tuition support and travel money (when appropriate for advancing the training experience).

Eligibility Requirements

• Completion of an MD or PhD or intent to complete a PhD in the upcoming academic year
• U.S. citizenship, U.S. non-citizen national, or U.S. lawful permanent resident

Application Process

Applicants should submit one PDF containing:

• One-page statement of research interests
• Curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation

Apply now

Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply. Start dates for postdoctoral trainee appointments are flexible.

Accepted predoctoral fellows have individualized study plans tailored to their interests and background. The plans integrate departmental requirements with the training grant curriculum and the research activities.

The training experience usually lasts three years. To ensure that trainees understand the essentials of translating research from bench to bedside, the training program integrates a variety of seminars and lectures on clinical research and voice biology, as well as voice-related conferences, journal clubs and lab meetings along with the traditional graduate coursework and research experience.

Predoctoral trainees are encouraged to submit an individual F31 training grant when more than three years of funding is necessary to complete their training program.

Trainee stipends are based on the current National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award predoctoral stipend levels. Trainees are also eligible for health insurance, tuition support, and travel money (when appropriate for advancing the training experience).

Eligibility and Requirements

• Acceptance through the University of Wisconsin’s standard application process into a graduate program (e.g., through the Department of Communicative Disorders or the Department of Biomedical Engineering) before applying to this training program, and have a voice-related research project under the primary mentorship of one of our faculty trainers
• U.S. citizenship, U.S. non-citizen national or U.S. lawful permanent resident

Application Process

Applicants should submit one PDF containing:

• College transcripts
• GRE scores
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of intent describing career goals and research interests
• One recommendation from a past mentor

Apply now

Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

Our training program provides short-term summer research opportunities in the field of voice research for medical students following their first year of medical school. The program consists of a 10–12 week experience at UW and requires students to show initiative preparing for the experience. Students are also expected to complete follow-up work upon completion of the short-term project. Trainees will engage in a mentored research project, medical student-specific research curriculum, and voice research-specific conferences and lab meetings to enhance the experience.

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled and in the first year at an AAMC or LCME accredited medical school
• U.S. citizenship, U.S. non-citizen national, or U.S. lawful permanent resident

Application Process

Medical students from the University of Wisconsin should submit an application to the Shapiro Summer Research Program and email Joanna Houston indicating that they wish to be considered for funding through this NIH-funded program. UW students must identify a mentor and a project prior to applying to this program.

Students from other medical schools should submit one PDF to Joanna Houston by January 1.

The PDF must contain:

• Cover letter
• Statement of research interests
• At least one letter of recommendation

External applicants selected for the program will be notified by March 1 and program leadership will facilitate the identification of a project and mentor for the summer.

Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.