Research Postdoctoral Fellow – MD (Cardiac Surgery)

The Division of Congenital Heart Surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine is seeking highly qualified applicants for the 2024-2026 Congenital Heart Surgery Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. This intensive two-year program is designed for general and cardiothoracic surgery residents interested in an academic career in cardiothoracic or congenital heart surgery. Housed within the USNWR No.1 ranked Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery program in the nation at the Texas Children’s Heart Center, the CHS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship provides unique opportunity to pursue clinical and outcomes research in congenital heart surgery in collaboration with investigators from Pediatric Cardiology, Cardiovascular Anesthesiology, and Cardiovascular Critical Care Medicine.

 

The CHS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship program runs from July 1 through June 30 each year, and requires a two-year training commitment. Fellows will receive a competitive stipend and health benefits during their appointed term. Ideal candidates will have prior experience with clinical research methodology and study design, multivariate biostatistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and have strong clinical research interest in pediatric cardiology and/or cardiothoracic surgery. Applications for program entry commencing in July 2024 are currently being accepted and will be considered on a rolling basis.

Job Duties

Under the mentorship of Texas Children’s Heart Center faculty and congenital heart surgeons, Fellows are directly engaged in all aspects of clinical research, including study design, protocol and database development, data collection and multivariate biostatistical analysis, regulatory compliance, abstract and manuscript preparation, and data presentation. Fellows are expected to attend departmental and institutional seminars (including surgery grand rounds), participate in research continuing education curricula, present their work at local and national scientific meetings, and to publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. Fellows are encouraged to complete additional postgraduate training in Data Science and/or Biostatistics through Certificate-level programs at the University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health (UTSPH), for which tuition support may be provided. Essential Activities:

• Research study planning, design and conduct.
• Data collection, cleaning, and biostatistical multivariate analysis.
• Research database design, construction and maintenance.
• Preparation and presentation of research data at local and national meetings.
• Manuscript/abstract writing and preparation of research data for publication in high quality peer-reviewed medical journals.
• Attendance at departmental and institutional seminars, and research team meetings.
• Assist with running of weekday morning surgical case conference meetings.
• Participation in didactic continuing education in cardiovascular core curriculum and statistical data analysis methodology.
• Complete and maintain all required clinical research regulatory certifications for participation in human subjects research.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education Required: Doctor of Medicine (MD).
• Experience Required: None Required.
• Certification/Licenses/Registration: None Required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of one year of an ACGME-accredited cardiothoracic surgery or cardiovascular residency program.
• Strong clinical research interest in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery.
• Prior experience in clinical outcomes research.
• Training in biostatistical multivariate analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and commitments simultaneously.
• Ability to prioritize task completion to meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and written/oral communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.