Penn
Nursing Science
Care to Change the World
Marilyn S. Sommers, PhD, RN, FAAN
Lillian S. Brunner Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
418 Curie Boulevard, Fagin Hall 2L
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096
(215) 746-8320; ssommer@nursing.upenn.edu
Information Sheet for Candidates for Post-Doctoral Fellowship
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Funding Mechanism: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional
Research Training Grant (T32) in the Center for Health Equity Research, University of
Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Title and Grant Number: 2T32NR007100; Research on Vulnerable Women, Children, and
Families
Stipend and Benefits: Provides funding to cover tuition, health insurance, and stipend for postdoctoral fellows at the Penn School of Nursing for 24 months with a 2009 annual stipend of
between $37,368 and $51,552 depending on years of experience post-doctorate.
Specific Aims of the training program: Fellows will: 1) study multi-system level factors that
contribute to health disparities among vulnerable women, children, and families; 2) develop
expertise in cutting-edge, culturally-appropriate, interdisciplinary research strategies with the
potential to identify and reduce health disparities, with a particular focus on bio-behavioral,
descriptive, and intervention methods; 3) collaborate with a diverse group of interdisciplinary
scientists, community leaders, and anticipated beneficiaries of interventions in a mutually
instructive fashion to promote health in vulnerable women, children, and families; 4) develop
values, critical thinking, communication skills, and research expertise that address the power
differentials that create, sustain, or augment health disparities in vulnerable populations.
Commitment: Fellows are expected to become actively engaged in the Center for Health Equity
Research as part of their post-doctoral training, which is a 40 hour/week research commitment.
The fellowship includes participation in Center course work, active participation in Center faculty
research, attendance at Center meetings, involvement in the Center’s community of scholars, and
advancement of a research in the area of vulnerable women, children, and families.
Qualifications: We welcome applications from candidates who have completed a research
doctorate with a commitment to health equity and a passion for generating nursing science.
Interested applicants should submit the following materials to be considered for fellowship:
1) current curriculum vitae.
2) letter of interest (single-spaced) with a statement about your research interests and goals
(approximately 300 words) and a statement of how your research is related to health disparities
and/or health equity for vulnerable women, children, and/or families (approximately 300 words).
3) copy of master’s and doctoral transcript (choose one option below)
a) if a current or former student at University of Pennsylvania, please provide a statement in your
letter of interest giving us permission to print off an unofficial transcript from Advisor-in Touch;
b) please provide an official transcript from master’s and doctoral education
4) (optional) letter(s) of support from faculty, colleagues, or superiors
UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA
Other relevant materials:
In accordance with University of Pennsylvania policy, an appointment will be initially for one year and
continuation during that time period and renewal are based on satisfactory performance, availability of
funding, and the terms of the Policy for Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Pennsylvania (available
at http://www.med.upenn.edu/postdoc/documents/postdocpolicy.pdf). In addition, as a Biomedical
Postdoctoral Appointee, the policy and program elements of the BPP Policies for Postdoctoral
Appointments, Training and Education are applicable to your appointment (see
http://www.med.upenn.edu/postdoc/documents/PoliciesFINAL62606.reformat.pdf ).
Individuals in postdoctoral positions at the University of Pennsylvania are required to participate in a
health insurance plan. If you are appointed and currently enrolled in a health insurance plan with at least
comparable coverage and wish to continue that coverage, you may choose to waive participation in the
University’s Postdoctoral Insurance Plan program. If you enroll in the University’s Postdoctoral Insurance
Plan, single coverage for you will be supported by my grant and will not be deducted from your stipend.
If you require family coverage, you will be required to pay the additional premiums.
All NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows are subject to all applicable University policies, as they may exist from
time to time, including the policies and procedures governing Patent and Tangible Research Property.
http://www.med.upenn.edu/postdoc/documents/patent.policy.02.22.05.pdf)..
NIH Budget Regulations can be found at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-075.html
UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA