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NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Programs (PREP) Scholars
Position overview
Position title: NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program ScholarsApplication Window
Open date: December 13, 2024
Next review date: Monday, Mar 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Diversity Research Programs at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for scholars to participate in the NIH Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), which is overseen by the UCSC PREP Faculty Director and Principal Investigator, Professor of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology William Sullivan.
The STEM Diversity Research Programs are committed to promoting diversity in the sciences by providing direct services that support students, bolstering their science identity through STEM research training, professional development, and academic support. We support students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds to achieve their educational and career goals by providing them with hands-on research experience and fostering a sense of inclusion, acceptance, and community.
UCSC PREP offers recent graduates the opportunity to gain intensive research experience in the biomedical sciences and benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities. PREP scholars participate in a full-time postbaccalaureate program, working 30 hours per week (75%) on biomedical-related research under the supervision of a faculty mentor, with the remainder of the week (25% ) devoted to academic preparation and professional development. The program aims to strengthen participants’ competitiveness for admission to leading Ph.D. programs and to prepare them for success in earning advanced degrees in the biomedical field.
The PREP scholars’ research duties will involve laboratory work, computation, data collection and analysis, participating in laboratory group and other meetings, and assisting with writing manuscripts for publication. Selected candidates will be expected to maintain a detailed laboratory notebook of experimental procedures and data, and they will expected to archive, label, and document graphic and tabular data for publications, proposals, and/or presentations.
Program participants will be provided funds to travel to a national scientific conference; a GRE preparation course; professional development workshops; program support for graduate school applications; holistic mentoring from STEM Diversity staff; and medical, dental, vacation, and retirement benefits.
Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills, and will effectively work both independently and as part of a team. Applicants with prior research experience (including volunteer experience) and a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0. are strongly encouraged to apply.
These positions are funded by the US National Institutes of Health, which has the following eligibility requirements for participation with the PREP program. Please ensure your application addresses how you meet each of the requirements.
- Participants must possess a B.S. or B.A. degree (or an equivalent foreign degree) in a field related to biomedical sciences, awarded no more than three years/36 months* prior to applying.
- Participants must hold citizen, noncitizen national, or permanent resident status in the United States.
- Participants must intend to apply to a research-focused biomedical Ph.D. degree program during or immediately following completion of the PREP program.
- Participants must be a member of a group underrepresented in biomedical research as defined by the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (e.g., African American, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; individuals with disabilities; or individuals from underserved backgrounds).
*Parental, medical, or other well-justified leave for personal or family situations is not included in the 3-year eligibility limit, nor is national service (e.g., Peace Corps, or service in the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves).
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
Qualifications
B.S. or B.A. degree (or an equivalent foreign degree) in a field related to biomedical sciences, awarded no more than 36 months prior to applying to the UCSC PREP. It is anticipated that the degree will be completed no later than September 30, 2025.
Application Requirements
Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of STEM Diversity staff and affiliated faculty. Candidates under serious consideration will be invited for an interview with staff and current scholars. Applicants will be evaluated based on a holistic review process of their application materials, research interests, and their educational/ career goals and aspirations.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter - In your cover letter, please provide the following information.
Why would you like to be selected as a participant in the UCSC PREP Program?
What do you hope to gain from the program and its support?
Clearly articulate how your personal history, achievements, and/or future career goals demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in science.Preference will be given to applicants who provide evidence of proactive pursuit of career advancement opportunities and/or resilience and perseverance when faced with personal or structural barriers or challenges.
Confirmation of NIH Eligibility Requirements for PREP Participation - Please confirm you meet the following NIH eligibility requirements:
You hold citizen, noncitizen national, or permanent resident status in the United States.
You are a member of a group underrepresented in biomedical research as defined by the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (e.g., African American, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; individuals with disabilities; or individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds).You intend to apply to a research-focused biomedical Ph.D. degree program during or immediately following completion of the UCSC PREP program.
You have or will have a B.S. or B.A. degree (or an equivalent foreign degree) in a field related to biomedicine, awarded no more than 36 months prior to applying.PREP Application Essay Questions - Preference will be given to applicants who clearly articulate (short essays) how their personal history, achievements, and/or future career goals provide evidence of a strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, and applicants who provide evidence of proactive pursuit of career advancement, opportunities, and/or resilience and perseverance when faced with personal or structural challenges.
Research Experience: please describe your previous research experience, focusing on the key biomedical questions you addressed and the approaches you used. (Note: Details about collaborators and institutions can be found in your CV.)
Inspiration for Biomedical Research: Please describe a book, article, seminar, or professional experience that was particularly impactful and influenced your decision to pursue a career in biomedical research.
Career Aspirations: What are your long-term career goals, and how do you see yourself progressing in the field? If you have specific roles or opportunities in mind, please share how you plan to achieve these objectives.
Interest in the Junior Specialist Role: Why are you interested in the Junior Specialist appointment at UCSC through PREP? What specific skills or experiences do you hope to gain through this role, and how will it support your future career goals?Unofficial Transcripts - Please provide copies of unofficial transcripts from each college or university you have attended. Please be aware that selected candidates will be required to provide official transcripts prior to their appointment start date.
- 2 letters of reference required
Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation*. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
References should highlight the applicant’s potential for contributing to biomedical-related sciences, the applicant’s academic/professional potential, and how the applicant will benefit from participating in the NIH-PREP program.
*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.
Help contact: stemdiv@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.
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If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.
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The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
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