Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Behavior Research
The Indiana University School of Nursing (IUSON) has ongoing funding from the National Institutes of
Health/National Institute of Nursing Research to provide postdoctoral training in behavioral nursing
research. Two years of support are provided to selected fellows to work with senior faculty mentors in the
school of nursing and from other disciplines related to fellows’ research interests. The training prepares the
fellow to be an independent researcher.
The aim of this research training program is to contribute to a knowledge base about health behavior that
(a) promotes maximal well-being in chronic illness; (b) facilitates early detection of disorder to minimize its
effect; and (c) enhances quality of life in illness situations. Over the past 15 years of NIH funding IUSON
has developed a research-intensive environment with a large portfolio of health behavior research related to
cancer, heart failure, diabetes, and epilepsy, and a high quality research training program with student
access to accomplished interdisciplinary mentors.
QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES
1. A doctoral degree in nursing from a school accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting
body identified by the U.S. Department of Education. If the candidate does not have a doctorate
in nursing, he or she must hold baccalaureate and master’s degrees in nursing from National
League of Nursing (NLN) accredited programs.
2. Citizen or non-citizen national of the United States or must be lawfully admitted for permanent
residence, and active, current registration as a graduate professional nurse in a state, territory or
commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.
3. Availability for an interview.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. A completed application form.
2. An official transcript from graduate program.
3. Two letters of recommendation, including one from the chair of the dissertation committee.
4. Letter of support from postdoctoral mentor.
5. Curriculum vitae or NIH biosketch
6. A copy of abstract and final chapter of doctoral dissertation.
Selection criteria include quality of applicant’s academic record, past research, publications, commitment
to independent research, and match with research interests of faculty. Start date is negotiable. Minority
applicants are especially encouraged to apply.
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Susan M. Rawl, PhD, RN, FAAN
Director, Training in Behavioral Nursing Research
Indiana University School of Nursing
1111 Middle Drive, NU 338
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107
srawl@iu.edu
Phone (317) 278-0511; (317) 278-2217
Application for Postdoctoral Fellowship in
Behavioral Nursing Research
The aim of this research training program is to contribute to the knowledge base about health behaviors that
(a) promote maximal well-being in chronic illness; (b) increase screening and early detection of health
problems; and (c) enhance quality of life in illness situations. Over the past 17 years of NIH funding, the
IUSON has developed a research-intensive environment with a large portfolio of health behavior research
related to chronic conditions such as cancer, heart failure, diabetes, and neurological disorders. IUSON has
a high quality research training program with student access to accomplished interdisciplinary mentors.
Opportunities Available to Postdoctoral Fellows

Be mentored by a faculty member who has a research program in ongoing, peer reviewed,
extramurally funded behavioral research

Network with other post-doctoral fellows, program mentors, and researchers from multiple
disciplines to develop a cross-disciplinary community of scientists

Have access to research resources including biostatistical and methodological support

Attend research workshops and receive consultation from nationally recognized external experts
in health behavior and other related areas on a regular, bi-monthly basis.
Criteria for a successful application include:

A doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited school identified by the U.S. Department of
Education. If the candidate does not have a doctorate in nursing, he or she must hold
baccalaureate and master’s degrees in nursing from National League of Nursing (NLN)
accredited programs.

Citizen or non-citizen national of the United States or must be lawfully admitted for permanent
residence, and active, current registration as a graduate professional nurse in a state, territory or
commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Candidate must have interest in multi- and inter-disciplinary scientific training in health behavior
research consistent with the ongoing work of the primary mentor.

Candidate must be able to commit at least 75% of his/her time to the fellowship and be employed
no more than 10 hours per week
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OVERVIEW OF POSTDOCTORAL
TRAINING PROGRAM
Selection Criteria
Areas
Placement/
Socialization
Quality of past
academic record
Placement with
advisors
Quality of
dissertation
research
Placement with
research teams
Commitment to
independent
research in health
behavior
Assessment of
research
strengths and
weaknesses
Match with
nursing faculty
research
Development of
individual plan
with advisors to
obtain needed
research
experiences,
including possible
need for formal
course work
Match with
research interests
of faculty from
other disciplines
Identification of
expert consultant
in area of
research
Publication record
Presentation
record
Can only work 10
hours per week
Program of Study
Activities
Process
Evaluation
Health Behavior
Research
Seminar
Meets with nursing
advisor weekly
Behavior
intervention
workshops
Selected
research
seminars and
journal clubs in
other disciplines
Inter-disciplinary
seminar on
responsible
conduct of
research
Involvement in
research of
mentor(s)
Independent
research
Mock review of
grant proposals
Joins faculty
writing support
group (optional)
Attend research
intensive
workshops by
CEQL
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Meets with
external advisor
regularly
Reports progress
to executive board
three times per
year
Submits formal
written report of
progress to
advisors annually
Submits research
proposal for a
formal review by
advisors and
external consultant
once per year
Presents research
proposal at mock
review
Outcome
Evaluation
Submits grant
proposal(s) for
internal/external
funds
Receives grant
monies
Makes refereed
research
presentations at
regional/national
meetings
Submits
manuscripts to
refereed journals
Publishes in
refereed journals
Honors and
awards
Serves as
journal/grant
reviewer
Procedures for Submission
Please use the following checklist with your application:
Applicant:
1. Completed Application Form
4. Letter of support from postdoctoral mentor.
2. An official transcript from graduate program
5. Curriculum Vitae or NIH biosketch
3. Two letters of recommendation including one
from dissertation chair
6. Abstract and final chapter from dissertation
Please return all completed materials to:
Richard Griffin
rilgriff@iu.edu
1111 Middle Drive, NU 345
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-278-0511 FAX: 317-278-2021
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Application for Postdoctoral Fellowship in
Health Behavior Research
Name of Applicant:
_____________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Telephone Number(s): _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
E-mail address:
_____________________________________________________________
Primary Mentor:
_____________________________________________________________
Personal Statement
Please answer each question as fully as possible. Use the space provided or attach additional pages as
needed for a maximum of 5 pages
1. Describe why you are applying for this fellowship. Include your assessment of the goodnessof-fit between your research interests, Indiana University and your proposed mentor(s).
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2. Describe your career goals.
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3. Discuss the specific goals you want to accomplish during your postdoctoral fellowship.
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4. Summarize your research experience/interests to date.
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