Building the Future of Clinical Biostatistics
The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) and the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics (B&B) have partnered to offer the DCRI Clinical Research Biostatistics Fellowship. The program was developed to address a critical shortage of biostatisticians who have technical skills to address complex clinical research challenges and team science skills to serve as effective leaders and valued collaborators.
Key Features of the Fellowship
- Duration: Annual appointments, with possibility to renew for up to 3 years.
- Eligibility: Open to Duke Biostatistics PhD students in Year 2 or later.
- Trainee Commitment: Fellows are expected to commit 20 hours per week at DCRI.
- Financial Support: Participants will receive payment of tuition, fees, and stipend at the standard Duke rates.
Mission
The fellowship aims train a diverse pool of biostatisticians to address methodological challenges arising in cutting edge clinical research and to equip them with communication and team science skills to become effective leaders and valued collaborators.
Program Pillars
Collaborative Apprenticeships
Fellows are integrated into DCRI project teams where they function as project statisticians while being mentored by the project's highly experienced staff and faculty. This hands-on experience facilitates a practical understanding of clinical study designs, data analysis, and the communication of statistical findings.
Practical Methods Contribution
Fellows will undertake a methodological project that aims to directly enhance DCRI's clinical research capabilities. Opportunities to develop enhanced methodology are abundant because DCRI studies give rise to an array of complex methodological problems and often require substantial creativity and effort to devise and implement practical yet rigorous solutions in a timely manner.
Professional Development
A specialized curriculum complements departmental coursework, focusing on the practical skills essential for successful collaborative research. This includes topics such as statistical analysis plans, scientific writing, and effective collaboration across diverse teams. Fellows will also participate in a monthly research meeting and will participate in joint activities with DCRI clinical fellows.
Mentoring for Professional Growth
Mentorship is a cornerstone of the fellowship, with each participant receiving guidance from a primary DCRI/B&B faculty mentor, project-specific mentors, and peers. This network supports fellows' professional development and integration into the DCRI community.
Application Instructions (Academic Year 2024-2025)
To apply, please send the following application materials to Sean O'Brien, Program Director (sean.m.obrien@duke.edu):
- Curriculum vitae
- Duke transcript
- Brief (1 paragraph) statement of interest describing your interest in clinical research and how you might benefit.
Deadline for Applications: April 23, 2024
About DCRI
The DCRI has a longstanding commitment to advancing research methodology and training the next generation of clinical researchers. See About DCRI for general DCRI information.
Contact Us
For more information about the DCRI Biostatistical Training for Clinical Research Fellowship please contact Sean O'Brien (sean.m.obrien@duke.edu)
Contact Information:
Sean M. O’Brien, PhD
Associate Professor of Biostatistics
Director of Graduate Studies for PhD in Biostatistics Program
Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
Duke University Medical Center