Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship for Physician-Scientists from Low Income or Lower Middle Income Countries

Clinical research trainees in the Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship for Physician-Scientists from Low Income or Lower Middle Income Countries (virtual) will be supported at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) in New York for one to two years. In addition to being involved in routine neuroinfectious diseases research activities, the candidate will be expected to identify and develop a research proposal around a neuroinfectious disease topic relevant to their LIC/LMIC region and apply for a career development award or other grant funding during their time at CUIMC. A fundamental priority of the fellowship will be to establish funding support to build individual and institutional research capacity in the LIC/LMIC institution.

Fellowship program and opportunities:  

• To develop rigorous clinical research training opportunities and career development activities for a cadre of LIC/LMIC scientists and health research professionals to strengthen the capacity to conduct independent, sustainable neuroinfectious disease research at an LIC/LMIC institution.
• To provide mentored training-related neuroinfectious disease research experience that is directly relevant to the health priorities of the LIC/LMIC.
• To strengthen the capabilities of trainees at LIC/LMIC institutions to lead, manage, and train others in neuroinfectious disease research.
• Adjunctive clinical training in neuroinfectious diseases and participation educational sessions on neuroinfectious diseases topics will be provided to the trainee, though the primary focus of the program is on research skill development

The research fellow will have the opportunity to develop:

1. A strong foundation in clinical research design, methods, and analytic techniques appropriate for the proposed neuroinfectious disease research area and epidemiology;
2. The enhancement of the trainee’s ability to conceptualize and think through research problems with increasing independence.
3. Experience conducting neuroinfectious disease clinical research, as well as trainees presenting and publishing their research findings;
4. The opportunity to interact with members of the scientific community at appropriate scientific meetings and workshops; and
5. The enhancement of the trainees' understanding of the health-related sciences and the relationship of their research training to health and disease.

Requirements and Eligibility

• Completion of an accredited Neurology or Infectious Diseases residency program.
• Medical graduate with citizenship, residing and working in a low income or lower middle-income country as defined by the World Bank.
• Individuals who have dual citizenship or permanent residency in the U.S., other high-income countries, or ineligible countries are not eligible. The position is offered remotely, with the trainee residing in their home country. The trainee will be closely connected to the team at CUIMC via Zoom, attending routine research meetings and participating in research activities, and will have the opportunity to attend a plethora of educational conferences remotely. The trainee will also be supported to conduct local research efforts. Salary support will be provided. There is an opportunity for the research fellow to be supported for part-time fellowship activities if there are established local clinical/administrative roles.
• English language proficiency is required.