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.

The Postdoctoral CIRM Scholars program offers six one-year-long 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 include presenting research at the annual UCSC CIRM scholar research review day and the UCSC stem cell journal club. Scholars are encouraged to attend the Bay Area stem cell club and to present their work at a local, national, or international scientific conference. Postdoctoral fellows may be expected to participate in planning and organizing some of the scholarly activities related to the training program.

The program offers a stipend of $46,000-55,000 per year, commensurate with years of postdoctoral experience, plus health, dental, and vision insurance and a research allowance of $10,000 per year for laboratory supplies, travel, and books.

Award period: Appointments are for one year, with the possibility of reappointment for up to three years total.

Course requirements: Postdoctoral CIRM Scholars will be expected to audit these stem cell training program-specific courses: Introduction to Stem Cell Biology and Ethics (BIOL 206; offered in fall of odd-numbered years) and Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology (BIOL 206L; offered annually in winter or spring).

Reporting requirements: All scholars must fulfill the program reporting requirements each year.

Reappointment: Reappointment to a second or third year requires specific action on the part of the scholar.

• Reappointment criteria and process

Eligibility: Candidates must have received a Ph.D. or a professional doctorate in a scientifically related field, must be pursuing or planning to pursue laboratory research with a UCSC CIRM mentor in some aspect of stem cell biology, and must have agreement from that mentor to work in his or her laboratory. 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. A scholar can receive a maximum of three years of support through this program. Candidates are expected to be within seven years of completing their Ph.D.s, although applicants that are further from Ph.D. will be considered.

Selection criteria: The CIRM Executive Committee will select Scholars based on the following criteria:

Proposal

• Relevance to and potential impact of the project on stem cell research
• Novelty, feasibility, and appropriateness of the approach and the model system

Applicant

• Training to date and ability to carry out the proposed project
• Progress on project to date (for projects that have already started)
• Written recommendations
• Quality of publications

Environment

• The mentor: productivity, training track record, and successful competition for research support
• The laboratory: availability and quality of required resources (equipment, facilities, technical support); additional research support
• Collaborators or other factors influencing success
• Other support for this project

Application process: The process consists of an online application and three letters of recommendation.

With the online application, you will be asked to submit the following documents electronically as PDFs:

1. A project proposal (maximum 5 pages) that includes these sections:
   
   • Specific aims
   • Background and significance
   • Preliminary results (if applicable)
   • Research plan
   • Brief statement of how the project relates to regenerative medicine
   • Brief statement of how this award would impact your project and career plans.
2. Applicant CV.
3. Mentor CV or biosketch, including current and pending support and support completed within the past three years (limit 4 pages).

Reference letters: Please have three letters of reference submitted directly by the writers to apply-CIRM@soe.ucsc.edu:

1. A letter from the CIRM mentor in whose laboratory the work will be performed that specifically comments on the proposed project, your track record and ability to perform the project, and the suitability of the environment for carrying out the project.
2. Letters from your Ph.D. thesis advisor AND one other reference, commenting on your strengths and weaknesses, the novelty and robustness of the approach, and the choice of model system.
3. Any potential conflicts of interest should be addressed in the letters.

Application deadline: 5:00 pm, May 1, 2013