Apply for IRACDA

Position Summary

Postdoctoral research fellowships are available at the University of Kansas through the NIH-Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) program.  This fellowship offers three years of salary support to outstanding candidates seeking postdoctoral research training along with an opportunity to obtain mentored teaching experience at a nearby tribal college, Haskell Indian Nations University, in preparation for an academic career.  Postdoctoral research training is provided under the guidance of KU faculty who are internationally recognized for their research in a broad range of disciplines including organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular & cellular biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology.  Fellows will receive mentorship on becoming educators and will gain experience by teaching a small class for two semesters at Haskell, located about 2 miles from KU.  Haskell student body is unique, as it comprises solely of American Indians, representing tribes across the United States.  The starting salary for trainees is $50,609 per year, along with excellent fringe benefits and a small allowance for research supplies and travel to an annual IRACDA meeting.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD or doctoral degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field; and must be within 2 years of obtaining their doctoral degree at the time of appointment.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Underrepresented minorities are encouraged to apply.  

Preferred Qualifications

Special interest in developing an academic career in the sciences with an emphasis in teaching at an institution that serves underrepresented minorities, experience working with minority students, demonstrated ability work in a team based environment, and excellent oral and written communication skills are preferred. 

A research lab and mentor should be identified prior to applying to the program, and applicants should contact their potential research mentor prior to completing the official online application.  Applicants can find a list of KU faculty members participating as mentors on the Find a Mentor page.  Potential mentors must have funding to enable IRACDA Fellows to do research in their labs and must be publishing recently and regularly.  For questions and guidance on selection of mentors, contact the Program Director, Dr. Roberto De Guzman at rdguzman@ku.edu. Once a mentor has agreed to provide the research training, the applicant can start the application process.

The IRACDA mentor will need to email the following documents to Erin Barker (Shared Service Center Human Resources Coordinator) at ebarker@ku.edu:

• A NIH Biosketch, including Other Support
• A letter indicating willingness to provide guidance and support in the development of an academic career for the IRACDA Fellow

The following documents will need to be attached to the application:

• A Curriculum Vitae
• A cover letter outlining your career goals and how the experiences you will have through the program will assist you in achieving those goals.

The online application for 2022 is now closed as all the positions were filled.

Arrange two confidential letters of reference to be emailed to Erin Barker (Shared Service Center Human Resources Coordinator) at ebarker@ku.edu.