NIH T32-Supported Positions

The Division of Rheumatology has many engaging options available for trainees who would like to explore research opportunities. Medical students, Ph.D. pre-doctoral students, fellows, and post-doctoral Ph.D. students may all be interested in one of the positions sponsored by the Division of Rheumatology and supported by the NIH T32 mechanism. The T32 Research Training in Rheumatology program provides research training in the pathogenesis and treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases for a broad group of scientists from diverse backgrounds.

Rheumatology Fellows and Post-Doctoral Trainees have been funded by the University of Colorado's NIH T32 mechanism since 1986.  Approximately 80% of trainees have accepted an academically-oriented position upon completing their research supported by the T32.

Applications for these T32 positions are competitive, and open to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, and permanent U.S. residents.  Please contact the T32 Administrator Meg Ralph at meghan.ralph@cuanshcutz.edu if you have any administrative questions about the application process and Professor Kristine Kuhn at kristine.kuhn@cuanschutz.edu for questions regarding trainee opportunities.

Program Details

Trainees: The Rheumatology T32 supports trainees at all levels of experience including:  Research Track and Mentored Scholarly Activity Medical Students, PhD Pre-doctoral students (MSTP, Basic Science, and Epidemiology), Fellows (MD, DO, or MD/PhD in Basic/Translational Immunology, Clinical Research, and Health Services Research), and Post-Doctoral PhD students.

Content areas: Trainees have opportunities in Basic Science, Translational, and Computational research, including Epidemiology and Health Services Research.  Mentors are available across a broad spectrum of disciplines, drawing from the Division of Rheumatology, the Department of Immunology, the Department of Epidemiology, the Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, the Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, the Mucosal Inflammation Program, and many clinical divisions (Cardiology, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, etc.)

Sites: The UC Denver Rheumatology T32 includes training sites at the Anschutz Medical Campus (UC School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health), Veterans Administration Medical Center, Denver Health Medical Center and National Jewish Health.

Programmatic Strengths include:

• Extensive Colorado Clinical Translational Science Institute assets
• 10,000+ sq ft of "Dry Lab" space in the Barbara Davis Center for clinical research studies
• Formal educational programs (concurrent clinician-educator certificate, Masters of Public Health, PhD, and Masters in Clinical Sciences for clinician trainees)
• Successful funding by the majority of trainees including NIH K award and Rheumatology Research Foundation Scientist Development Award
• Joint training opportunities through the Department of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP)
• Clinical exposure opportunities for basic scientists
• Administrative staff dedicated to the T32
• Monthly seminar slots for T32 trainees in the Divisional research
• Co-mentoring teams comprised of junior and senior faculty
• Integration with "big data" research initiatives