Surgical Oncology Training Program

Apply today!

The primary training goal of the T32 Surgical Oncology Training Program is to develop academic surgeons who have outstanding skills in: 1) the multidisciplinary clinical care of patients with a particular emphasis on cancer patients; 2) the performance of fundamental laboratory research; and 3) the teaching of fellows, house staff and medical students.

This research training program is funded by a T32 award from the National Cancer Institute to the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. The T32 grant supports a comprehensive educational program in laboratory research in cell and developmental biology, immunobiology, molecular biology and molecular genetics/genomics. The aim is to support surgical residents and/or fellows who are planning careers devoted to oncology in the specialties of general, pediatric and thoracic surgery, as well as gynecologic oncology. The long-term objective of this program is to prepare surgical trainees, through an intense educational program and mentored research experiences, to become independent scientific investigators and to acquire faculty positions in academic departments as well as to become leading physician scientists.

Leadership

Will Gillanders, MD

Program Director
Mary Culver Professor of Surgery
Vice Chair for Research, Department of Surgery

Tim Eberlein, MD

Program Co-Director
Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor
Director, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center
Senior Associate Dean for Cancer Programs

Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH

Program Co-Driector
Niess-Gain Professor in the School of Medicine
Chief, Division of Public Health Sciences
Associate Director of Prevention and Control, Siteman Cancer Center
Deputy Director, Institute for Public Health

Eligibility

All trainees must be:

• Applicants must have an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. and must not have had more than one year of previous postdoctoral support from another NIH institutional training grant or individual NIH fellowship award.
• All applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• Physicians on temporary or student visas are not eligible

Applications

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.

Your application will require:

1. Completion of the Online Form
2. A current CV uploaded to your online application
3. A brief (approximately 300-500 words) description of the research project that you would like to complete during this two-year program.
4. One recommendation letter from your primary mentor sent to: [email protected]

The T32 supports eight postdoctoral positions each year.

Trainees are selected based on the following:

• Academic credentials and recommendations
• Strong interest in cancer research and a desire for an academic career in surgical oncology

Training

The typical training period is two years, with a maximum of three years.

• Trainees are expected to be committed to full-time basic research training (40 hours/week) with two year commitment.
• No clinical responsibility will be expected of the trainees.
• Trainees will attend regularly scheduled seminars and journal clubs.
• Trainees will be expected to complete training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
• Trainees will have the responsibility to provide annual progress reports during and after the period of support.

Support Provided

The T32 grant provides trainees:

• Stipend: Postdoctoral stipend levels are set by the NIH each year, and commensurate with the number of years of postgraduate training.
• Health insurance
• Travel and trainee-related expenses
• Tuition for required coursework
• Funds to offset childcare costs

Current Trainees

Handbook

Resources – link coming soon

Additional Information

surgicaloncology.wustl.edu/education/t32-surgical-oncology-training-program