> About Us > Predoc Training > Postdoc Training > How to Apply > FAQs > Meet Our Scholars > Scholar Resources > Home	Postdoctoral Training The proposed training program in Women's Health Research will serve four (4) postdoctoral trainees each year. Postdoctoral trainees are nurses holding doctoral degrees who have varying backgrounds in women's health research. Typically, trainees will hold a two year fellowship, which will allow time for direct experience in ongoing research and a base from which to conduct an independent project. The goal of postdoctoral training is to achieve advanced competence in women's health nursing research sufficient to launch and/or develop further an independent research career. Trainee candidates will be recruited via advertisement, contacts with directors of doctoral programs and relevant predoctoral training programs, as well as personal contacts by WHNRTG faculty with potential trainees at professional meetings. Criteria for Selection of Candidates In order to be eligible to apply for the WHNRTG Postdoctoral Training Program, candidates must be nurses who have earned a doctoral degree and are interested in pursuing a scientific career focused on women's health. Criteria for selection of postdoctoral candidates for the WHNRTG will include the following: Match between the candidate's goals and proposed research and an available faculty mentor's goals and ongoing research program; Match between the candidate's research interests, the priorities outlined by the OR" and NINF, and the WHNRTG aims, Availability of appropriate coursework to support the candidate's learning, Commitment of the candidate to a minimum of two years of research development in women's health Likelihood of successful completion of the postdoctoral program Commitment to a research career in an academic or other research intensive setting. In addition, the Core Faculty will consider the diversity of the candidates with respect to enrichment of the opportunities for all scholars to work across diversity in academic discipline as well as other aspects of their experiential background, such as experience with particular populations of women. Application Process and Selection of Candidates Applicants to the submit the following materials: Curriculum vitae, showing research preparation and experiences and publications Statement of goals for postdoctoral training and for subsequent career Description of proposed research program Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with candidate's potential for research career Sample of scholarly writing The Program Director will publicize the availability of and deadline for applications for specific postdoctoral openings on the WHNRTG website and notify individuals who have indicated interest in applying in the past. Applications received from qualified applicants will be reviewed by the Core Faculty The number of available postdoctoral positions will be determined each year based on the number of positions funded and prior commitments to current trainees. The Core Faculty will review scholars' applications for funding based on their goals and their proposals. We may request telephone or personal interviews by the co directors and core faculty with whom they would work. Factors such as the diversity of the candidates, including diversity in where doctoral training was obtained, will be considered in the final selection process to optimize scholar's opportunities to work across differences in academic discipline, as well in other aspects of their work. The Core Faculty will rank the candidates using the criteria listed above and advise the Program Director on their appointment. Mentors will also be identified at this time. If the postdoctoral trainee received their PhD from the UWSON, preference will be given to identifying a mentor different from the doctoral program mentor in order to encourage exposure to diverse scholarly models. Progression and Evaluation The postdoctoral trainees will participate in a training program of up to 2 years of support. Each postdoctoral scholar will have a mentor from among the core or supporting faculty with whom he or she will work closely to design an individualized program of training in the specific research focus designated in the application. We anticipate that some trainees will have a background in women's health nursing research from their predoctoral work, and may wish intensive experience with a new methodology or population. Others may be seeking to develop foundational skills and knowledge and will elect considerable course work in both basic and nursing sciences. During each year of their program, postdoctoral trainees will participate in the ongoing program seminars for discussion of their work and proposals. Postdoctoral trainees will participate on the research teams of the core and supporting faculty, and will design and conduct a small scale study related to that team, with guidance from a faculty mentor. We anticipate that a typical progression through postdoctoral work will include: 1) assessment of the dissertation or subsequent research and refinement or direction based on that work; 2) design of a series of studies in a program of research, at least one of which is pilot tested during the funding period; 3) publication of research results; 4) production of a research proposal for extramural funding, with critiques from members of the Women's Health Nursing Research Training Program, as well as other relevant disciplines. Faculty mentors will review progress with each postdoctoral trainee quarterly and discuss any problem areas with the Program Director as needed. Twice each year (January, June) the Program Director will ask for a report from each trainee regarding progress and problems encountered in the training, and ask each mentor to complete a trainee evaluation (Appendix IV). The co directors and core faculty will review these progress reports annually.