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Application Materials

Eligibility

Eligible applicants to the MERIT Program must be PhD candidates or recent PhD graduates (within the past year) and a US citizen or non-citizen national; individuals with comparable degrees, including MD and DVM, are also eligible. Women and persons from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, are encouraged to apply.  Email materials to postdocs@uab.edu.

Application Materials

Application materials that are required from each applicant include:

1.  transcripts from the applicant's undergraduate and graduate institutions
2. updated curriculum vitae, including contact information
3. a research statement that discusses the applicant's research experiences and selection of MERIT Research Mentor; the applicant must have selected a MERIT Research Mentor prior to the submission of the application
4. a career statement that discusses the applicant's career plans and how receipt of teaching experiences will further his/her career goals
5. two letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant's doctoral mentor
6. a letter of support and proposed training plan from the applicant's MERIT Research Mentor

Selection and Interview Process

All application materials will be reviewed by the MERIT Program Executive Committee. The criteria for applicant selection to interview will include the applicant's performance and productivity while a graduate student, the strength of commitment to teaching and research, and the strength of the letters of recommendation. In addition, the committee will evaluate the selection of the MERIT Research Mentor and the mentor's training plan. Those selected for interviews will be invited to the UAB campus for a 3-day interview.

• Day 1: Applicants will meet with the MERIT Program Director and Co- Program Directors of Research Training and Teaching Instruction to review the organization and expectations of the MERIT Program. In addition, applicants will meet with their respective MERIT Research Mentors to discuss research training, interact with current postdoctoral scholars, and tour UAB facilities.
• Day 2: Applicants will visit Miles College and Stillman College campuses, meetings with Co-Program Directors at each campus, and attendance at ongoing biology-related classes at both institutions.
• Day 3: Applicants will complete the interview process with a meeting with the MERIT Program Director to answer any questions that may have arisen during the visit.

Based upon reviews from the MERIT Program Director and Co-Program Directors, applicants who demonstrate exceptional research skills and outstanding teaching potential will be offered admission to the MERIT Program. Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance via telephone, email, and US post; applicants will be given two weeks to either accept or reject the offer.

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