Career Development and Training
A key part of the CTSA Program at UT Southwestern is helping researchers and learners in our community improve their knowledge – with the ultimate goal of accelerating translation of scientific discovery to improve health. We offer degrees, programs, workshops, grants, and more to help you expand and enhance your research skills.
Degrees and Certificates
Designed for those who aim to accelerate their clinical and translational research careers, the Master of Science and Certificate in Clinical Investigation program includes courses on research methods and analysis, scientific communication, financial planning, leadership, and career development.
The goal of UTSW’s Master of Science in Health Informatics program is to transform students who are passionate about health informatics into health informatics professionals who will use their skills, knowledge, and passion to improve individual health, health care delivery, public health, and biomedical research.
Programs
- KL2 Scholar Program
Junior Clinical and Translational Science KL2 Faculty Investigators
This two-year program is designed for junior faculty who show great promise toward becoming successful, independently funded clinical and translational science investigators. KL2 Scholar salary is partially supported by the KL2 grant. We support six KL2 Scholars each year for a two-year term.
- Fellowship Program in Clinical Informatics
Our two-year program launched in 2022 and is open to physicians who are board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or board eligible in one of the ABMS primary specialties.
Dr. Chin Fatt is now a functional neuroimaging researcher with substantial expertise in advanced statistics. She has applied computational approaches to generate new insights into precision medicine approaches for currently available antidepressant treatments and to identify new targets for mechanistically targeted drug discovery for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Pilot Awards and Grant Funding Opportunities
- UTSW CTSA Pilot Award Program
The intent of the UTSW CTSA Pilot Award Program is to attract strong applications from new investigators with novel scientific studies to established investigators who are in pursuit of a new research direction that involves interinstitutional and interdisciplinary concepts. These grants are designed to support preliminary data and provide investigators with the opportunity to engage in scientifically rigorous study design with enhanced focus on using the application process to submit stronger proposals for extramural funding.
- UTSW CTSA/TAMU Collaborative Pilot Awards
The CTSA Program at UT Southwestern is engaged in a collaborative effort with the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (TAMU CVMBS). The UTSW/TAMU Collaborative Pilot Awards are designed for new or established PIs at both institutions who are participating in cross-institutional collaborative research projects.
This initiative supports cross-institutional research partnerships to catalyze translational research and science. There is a particular focus on leveraging companion animal research involving naturally occurring diseases that mimic human conditions of high concern to build research programs to amplify development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics in both species. The program also aims to accelerate access to large animal models, biobanking services, and facilities at TAMU and UTSW.
Each year, the request for proposals for these awards goes out in early February with a submission deadline of early April. For more information, contact the CTSA Program via CTSAProgram@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Informal Courses and Workshops
- Grant Development
Successfully Earning a K (SEAK)
Join this workshop to enhance the probability of funding as your write your K grant application. You will write relevant sections of your grant application for review, turn in the completed application at the end of the workshop, and take part in a mock study section.
Prerequisites: (K08 or K23) of any type under development or resubmission.
Successfully Obtaining an R (SOAR) Grant Writing Workshops
The Intensive R Grant-Writers Workshop with Mock Study Sections is a SOAR module designed to use small group interactive grantsmanship coaching to craft a fundable proposal. It is led by a senior grantsmanship coach. Participants will attend six weekly two-hour sessions in which they are engaged in peer review of each other’s target grant sections for that week.
- Scientific Communications
Scientific Writing Workshops
- High Impact Science Writing – under development
- Effective NIH Grant Writing – under development
- How to Write a Science Manuscript – under development
Scientific Presentation Skills Workshop
- Preparing Impressive Conference Abstracts and Posters
- Developing Engaging Oral Presentations
- Creating Impactful Slide Presentations
- Academic Productivity
Writing Accountability Workshops
- Scholarly writing accompanied by individual and group accountability in order to develop the "habit of writing."
- Dates and times: Wednesdays 8 – 9 a.m. (dates coming soon)
- Prerequisite: Scholarly writing project to work on during the course of the workshop
Career Readiness for New Clinical & Translational Researchers
- Careers in Clinical and Translational Research for New Faculty (Future - Fall)
- Online skills assessment to guide you to the right resources
- Individualized career development tool to create your own career plan
- Career development series
- On-demand videos and podcasts
- Monthly live sessions
- Career coaching
- Access to workshops and courses
- Group executive and wellness coaching
- Pathways from K to Research Independence (Future - Fall)
Focus on Transition from K to R Awards
- Feedback on current research
- Developing aims for first R Award
- Mentorship and collaborative networks
- Career skills and coaching
- Access to SOAR
- Community building via happy hours and wellness events
Ongoing Learning Opportunities
Open to all research personnel at institutions affiliated with the CTSA Program at UT Southwestern, these seminars, forums, and Grand Rounds offer opportunities for clinical and translational researchers to stay up to date on the latest information.
Who We Are
Questions about Career Development & Training?
CTSAProgram@UTSouthwestern.edu the CTSA Program for additional information.