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Maraganore Early Independence Fellows

 

At UMass Chan, where Nobel Laureates pioneered small RNA discoveries,
we empower the next generation of RNA giants. 


Launch your research as a Maraganore Fellow at the RNA Therapeutics Institute and be part of the RNA revolution.

  

UMass Chan Early Independence Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Eligibility

Can potential candidates apply in their last year of graduate school?

Yes. However, fellows will need to have completed their terminal degree by the start date, but not necessarily by the application deadline.

I received my PhD over 24 months ago, am I eligible to apply?

No. You are eligible only if you are within 24 months of your terminal degree date. 

Will UMass Chan support visas for international scholars?

Yes, a dedicated office responsible for such support will work with selected fellows who may need visa support.

Application

What qualities will a successful application ideally have for initial consideration?

We are looking for outstanding productivity as graduate students or early-stage postdocs as well as exciting ideas. We will look at how innovative and how well-grounded your proposal is. The personal statement is an opportunity to tell us about your goals, your philosophy around science, and the things that motivate you. 

How specific should the future research project section of the anonymized research plan be?

Although it is short, it must be enough to capture the excitement, potential, and impact of your proposed research. 

What is an anonymized research plan (ARP)?

This is a proposal that does not list past publications, mentors, institutions you are affiliated with, your identity, or gender. This proposal strictly focuses on just your science and ideas. More information and instructions for your ARP.

Are you looking for a R01 research plan with aims?

We do not expect an R01 style proposal. Instead, we expect a description of your graduate or postdoctoral work and subsequently describe what you aim to do in your independent position as a fellow.

Do candidates need recommendation letters before the deadline or only for enlisted candidates as the research plan is anonymized?

Yes, three recommendation letters are expected by the deadline. Note that your CV is identified, only the anonymized research plan (ARP) is not. 

Can I apply to both tracks?

Yes, you may apply to both the Chan and Maraganore Early Independence Fellows tracks.

Can potential candidates apply in their last year of graduate school?

Yes. However, fellows will need to have completed their terminal degree by the start date, but not necessarily by the application deadline.

UMass Chan Environment & Support

Will fellows have their own lab space and can they recruit graduate students or postdocs, or must they be affiliated with an advisor on the tenure-track?

Fellows will also have their own independent lab space with an ability to hire their own staff and postdoctoral associates. Graduate students, however, will need to be co-mentored by tenure-track faculty members.

Will fellows be assigned to departments based on their interests?

Our goal is to match fellows based on their scientific interests with a wide array of scientific areas across UMass Chan in any department or center. 

The Maraganore Early Independence Fellows track primary/home department will be the RNA Therapeutics Institute (RTI).

Can a fellow create and maintain international collaborations?

Yes, absolutely! At UMass Chan, we thrive on internal and external collaborations. We want you to create the collaborations necessary to move your science forward. 

Will fellows receive administrative support?

Yes, that is managed at the departmental level. 

Will fellows receive support in applying for grants (NIH, NSF, etc)?

Yes, absolutely! The fellow will receive mentored support for applying for grants both internally and externally including NIH and other grant mechanisms. The fellows will participate in the Investigator Career Advancement Program and will have access to scientific writing support for grants and publications through this program. Each department offers administrative support for the grant application process as well. For the Maraganore Fellows track, the RTI has additional scientific writing support for grants, publications, and trainee fellowship applications.

Fellows Program & Career Development

Is there a fixed start date?

The start date will be decided upon by both parties to help the fellow wrap up work in their current lab.  

How closely are you looking for fellows' research to match with what is already present at UMass Chan versus new directions? Do fellows need to have a specific faculty in mind to work with as is in some mentored fellow programs?

No, these will be truly independent positions. You will select your preferred department although we will work with you to find which aligns best. In the case of the Maraganore Early Independence Fellows track, your primary departmental affiliation will be the RNA Therapeutics Institute (RTI). 

Are these fellowships conditional on yearly performance evaluation or continuous for the required years?

They are continuous. We have a commitment to ensure our fellows succeed.  

What happens after three or five years of the fellowship?

We anticipate that you will be highly competitive here at UMass Chan to become tenure-track investigators in our various departments. You may also apply to other institutions, if desired, after successful completion. 

Is there formal pathway for moving from this non-tenure track assistant position to a tenure-track position?

This is a position with fixed timelines; at the end of which you may apply to tenure-track positions at UMass Chan, or any institution which you deem best fit for your career. 

Funding

Will fellows be expected to purchase their own specialized lab equipment? Is there a start-up package attached to the yearly budget?

The majority of the fellows' lab equipment purchases will come from their annual budget ($440,000). No, we do not anticipate additional start-up packages for equipment packages. However, UMass Chan is a highly collegial and collaborative environment where equipment is shared within and across departments. In addition to shared equipment within departments, we have robust and extensive core facilities.

How does the program feel about and manage fellows bringing in additional, independent funding? Would this funding stack on top of the initial start-up package offered by the program?

Acquiring additional funding is both supported and encouraged! External funding would be in addition to the annual funding ($440,000) that the program provides.

Miscellaneous

If you are a dual-career couple and you are selected for the UMass Chan Early Independence Fellows program, is there potential for negotiating a position for your partner?

Depending on the career stage of the partner, they may also apply for the program, apply for available postdoctoral positions, staff positions, and/or tenure-track faculty positions. We would work with the fellow to help identify potential positions for their partner.  

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