[DIV28SUPER] Learning for Early Careers in Addiction and Diversity (LEAD) Program

Please see below and the attached flyer for information regarding the Learning for Early Careers in Addiction and Diversity (LEAD) Program: 

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The Learning for Early Careers in Addiction and Diversity (LEAD) Program provides training to early-career research scientists from racial/ethnic minority groups that are underrepresented in the drug abuse research field.  The LEAD Program uses the NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) as a platform for training early stage investigators.  Although based at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), visiting scholars accepted to the LEAD program can reside in any city or metropolitan area where a CTN Node is located (see below).  During the 3-year program, scholars will work with a senior mentor at one the CTN Nodes to develop a program of research that will serve as the foundation for receiving independent investigator initiated funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  Scholars will receive temporary visiting academic appointments at UCSF and will spend three summers in a 4-week intensive program in San Francisco.  During the academic year, scholars will work with their primary mentor to collaborate on drug abuse treatment research conducted in the CTN, develop a professional social network, and conduct a pilot study that will serve as a preliminary study for subsequent NIH funding. 

Eligibility Criteria

We are recruiting doctoral-level professionals who are in the early phase of their research careers, and have not yet received a K award or an independent investigator initiated R award from NIH.

The following criteria are preferred: 

1) Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) in medicine, social or behavioral sciences, nursing, public health, health economics, or related fields.

2) Assistant professor, assistant research scientist, or equivalent with an academic appointment at a medical school, national research university (i.e., Carnegie Foundation classification as a research university-with high or very high research activity), or research institute.  The institution should have a track record of NIH funding.

3) Racial/ethnic minority background that is underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences (i.e., African American, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islanders).

4) Evidence of an established program of research in the field of drug abuse and addictions as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications in the field of drug abuse and addictions, and/or intramural grant support as either a principal investigator or co-investigator, and/or extramural grant support as a co-investigator. (Candidates who were a principal investigator on a K award, R03, R21, R01, or a component leader of a center grant will not be considered.)

5) Reside in the same city or metropolitan area where a NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Node is located (For a list of CTN Nodes and locations see http://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/organization/cctn/ctn/network-organization/nodes).

Selection & How to Apply

Selection will be based on the following factors: 

* Academic training and achievement during graduate and post graduate academic careers

* Strength of letters of recommendation, fit with the goals of the LEAD Program, and the match between a prospective candidate's research interests and the research interests of the potential mentor at one of the universities affiliated with a NIDA Clinical Trails Network (CTN) Node

To apply, please contact Diane Coseo at diane.coseo@ucsf.edu, or (415) 206-3051 for an application packet.