PROMISE study seeking mid and senior level underrepresented biomedical researchers to serve as peer group facilitators

Who are we looking for?

Racially underrepresented (UR) Associate or Full Professors to serve as facilitators for UR peer group mentoring sessions. Facilitators should have experience mentoring junior faculty or postdocs and have a history of funded biomedical research (the study of the biological/behavioral processes that advance the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of disease).

What is the research about?

UNC and Duke are collaborating on NIH Diversity Program Consortium research. We will contribute to a national effort to increase diversity of the biomedical workforce by providing robust evidence on best mentoring practices for UR researchers. We will study peer group mentoring with facilitated discussions on psychosocial issues affecting UR scientists and on academic productivity skills, with the goal of enhancing scholarly output and academic advancement of UR postdocs and junior faculty. Peer groups will meet at their home institution twice per month for nine months.

What Support and Benefits exist for the Facilitators?

• Training (2-4 hours) in the use of a manual to guide discussions and activities.
• Ongoing support from the trainers as needed.
• A dedicated research coordinator to manage all logistics (e.g., scheduling, communications, materials).
• $4,500 compensation ($250/each 2 hour session)
• Professional satisfaction in contributing to this national effort and to the career development of UR early career researchers.

For more information or if interested in being a facilitator:

Contact:

UNC PI: Susan Girdler at susan_girdler@med.unc.edu or

UNC Study Coordinator Aalanah Valentine at aalanah_valentine@med.unc.edu