The Health Disparities Research Scholars (HDRS) Program is an interdisciplinary post-doctoral training program based in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. This program supports the training of scholars from diverse fields to become interdisciplinary researchers with a focus on health among minority populations, particularly maternal/child, adolescent, and family health.
The HDRS Program has been funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development since 2007. In 2023, the grant was renewed for another five years through the spring of 2028, continuing to fund five postdoctoral positions. To date, 23 fellows have completed their training in the program. The objective of the HDRS Program is to provide training at the postdoctoral level in interdisciplinary research that addresses disparities in health status and health outcomes among minority populations, as well as to attract and maintain underrepresented minorities in academic research careers. We integrate biomedical sciences, public health sciences, and sociocultural and behavioral sciences that are prerequisite to addressing health disparities. Thus, the HDRS Program provides interdisciplinary and multifaceted opportunities for research.
The NIH and IOM call for greater diversity in the research workforce as a means to address health disparities. Attracting scholars of color from various disciplines such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, sociologists, social workers, and nutritionists, into academic research careers will help in this endeavor. Thus, to address not only the broad array of research areas outlined above but also the interdisciplinary nature of the possible candidates, the faculty is interdisciplinary and consists of physician scientists, perinatal researchers, sociologists, psychologists, nutritional scientists, epidemiologists and economists. Since retention of scholars from underrepresented populations in academic careers is essential, we are committed to making the environment supportive, academically rewarding, culturally enriching and professionally satisfying.
Eligibility
Applicants must have completed all doctoral degree requirements by the time of entry into the program.
Applicants must be a citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence must have a currently valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551) or other legal verification of such status.
Stipends and Benefits: Stipend levels depend on years of related experience and are set by the National Institutes of Health. Fellows have access to the full range of resources offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each Fellow is provided with shared office space (when it is safe to return to campus), computer, health insurance, travel to conferences, and support for research training and professional development.
Diversity Statement: Diversity of experience, ability/disability, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation contribute to the richness of the training and professional experience for scholars and faculty participating in the Health Disparities Research Scholars Program.
Application Procedures
The goals for the HDRS Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program are to foster training opportunities for the next generation of investigators within health disparities research. The fellowship program has been supported since 2007 by an institutional training grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD). The Health Disparities Research Scholars (HDRS) program provides training and mentoring at the postdoctoral level in interdisciplinary research that addresses disparities in health status and health outcomes among minority populations with an emphasis on maternal/child, adolescent and family health. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and disciplines across the social, behavioral, biological, and health sciences are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please submit the following documents in a single pdf file to Tiffany Pence @ tdpence@wisc.edu
- HDRS Application Form (https://uwmadison.box.com/s/zxesdjcb0pqjwyvc930twt9dbaxrq7ti) or download here.
- Current curriculum vitae
- Personal statement summarizing your research interests in the area of health disparities, professional career goals and expectations for the postdoctoral training experience (Limit to 3 pages)
- Writing sample: one chapter of the dissertation OR one published/forthcoming article that best represents your intellectual interests.
- List of 3 References Required. One reference should be your dissertation chair.
Questions? Please contact us:
Maureen Durkin, PhD, DrPH, Program Director, mdurkin@wisc.edu.
Tiffany Pence, tdpence@wisc.edu
