KURe

Multidisciplinary K12 Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Program

The KURe program continues to recruit a group of talented junior faculty from diverse disciplines who are interested in pursuing careers in the study of benign urological diseases. KURe scholars will receive career development training and support to develop the skills necessary to become outstanding independent investigators able to lead multidisciplinary research teams. Successful scholars will ultimately use the program to obtain extramural (NIH) research funding and tenure track or equivalent academic positions.

To be a KURe scholar candidates must have either a doctoral level medical degree (MD) or have earned a PhD. Graduating residents are eligible to apply. The UCSF KURe encourages both clinically trained physicians in urology and related fields, and scholars from outside the field of urology to submit an application. The intent of the KURe program is to bring into the field of urology expertise in basic research, clinical sciences, epidemiology and biostatistics, and the physical sciences. Basic research expertise may include disciplines such as cell and molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, biochemistry, physiology, developmental biology, tissue engineering, immunology, pathology, neurobiology, and microbiology. Examples of clinical science expertise other than urology include infectious disease, gastroenterology, gynecology, endocrinology, anesthesiology, neurobiology, and radiology. Physical sciences expertise includes fields such as physics, bio-engineering, and chemical and mechanical engineering.

Successful applicants will receive a faculty appointment as clinical instructor, assistant professor or postdoctoral fellow, based on their qualifications, in the department of urology. Urologists (and non-urologic physicians)  will practice part-time in the UCSF health enterprise, and their salaries will be commensurate with their titles and clinical responsibilities. All scholars will be provided with a combined package of departmental support, research facilities, and resources to allow clinical scholars a minimum of 50% protected time for research. Continuing participation in the KURe program will depend on evidence garnered from the scholar’s annual progress report and relevant scholar meetings that demonstrate progress toward research independence and the ongoing need for support. Scholars will be matched with a team of experienced mentors from diverse disciplines. Each mentor team will assure that each scholar is integrated into laboratory based, clinical and translational programs at UCSF. They will support scholar research by providing access to resources and by integrating scholar training in core disciplines critical to their future success. Each mentor team will be comprised of a lead mentor, co-mentors, a research mentor, and a career mentor. Each mentor will play a unique role in the development of the scholar. Mentors are available from a wide range of disciplines and include internationally recognized senior clinical and laboratory based researchers with expertise in benign urologic disease.

KURe Scholars

Available mentors have been categorized into areas of study and are listed below:

Eligibility

Scholars must have a doctoral level degree such as an MD, DO, MD/PhD, or PhD. Graduating residents are eligible to apply. Scholars must be committed to a career in independent research in benign urologic disease. Scholars should have no more than five years of postdoctoral research experience and not more than 10 years should have elapsed since receiving the terminal doctoral degree. Time spent in clinical fellowships is not considered postdoctoral research training. Mid-career and senior faculty are not eligible. Final selection of scholars must be approved by NIDDK staff. Scholars must be a US citizen or have a valid green card.

Application Process

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Prior to submitting a formal application, interested applicants should identify at least two mentors from different disciplines on the list above (or identify another suitable mentor at UCSF). The applicant should then discuss these potential mentors with the program director, Laurence Baskin, MD ([email protected]). Candidates work with the program director and their selected mentors to develop a draft KURe independent development plan. The mentoring relationships will be formalized upon successful acceptance into the program. Application packets should be submitted electronically to Laurence Baskin, MD, program director. Application packets will include:

1) Cover letter. The letter should address why the candidate is qualified to be a KURe scholar.

2) Evidence of MD degree and clinical training (generally fellowship); or evidence of PhD or other degree (e.g. MPH, etc.)

3) Evidence of US citizenship or permanent residency, as per NIH guidelines

4) Curriculum vitae

5) Undergraduate (and graduate, if available) medical education transcripts

6) Three letters of recommendation

7) A one- to three-page statement of background, research interests and goals. The statement should identify the research resources available through the lead mentor

8) Early draft (1-3 pages, with mentor input) of a KURe independent development plan. The plan should be developed under the guidance of a program director. It will identify a possible lead, co- and career mentor, and explain the candidate's research interests and career goals.

Selection Process

Successful candidates will submit a complete application as described above that presents their experience, productivity and passion for biomedical, translational or clinical research. Applicants must provide evidence of their research experiences in undergraduate and medical or graduate school, of an outstanding academic record, and of authored publications, as well as strong letters of support. The most qualified candidates who have demonstrated their potential to develop an independent multidisciplinary career in urology will be selected.

The following specific criteria will be used to rank all applicants:

1) The quality of previous training and accomplishments

2) The strength and feasibility of the training plan

3) The nature and feasibility of the research plan

4) The importance of the research area and question

5) The level of support from the mentored research environment 

6) The quality, feasibility and potential for success of the research protocol

Selected Candidates

Upon entering the KURe program each scholar will meet with the program directors, the possible mentors identified in their draft KURe individual development plan, and the advisory committee. This group will recommend a final mentor team. With the input of the program director and each scholar's mentors, a working three- or five-year plan will be established for each scholar. Each scholar's plan will highlight research interests and career goals, as well as the particular plan for developing content and methodological expertise, and communication and leadership skills. Each plan will outline clear steps, including: a specific didactic curriculum, a research plan, and a mentoring plan. The plan will define the limited clinical and teaching activities expected of each scholar. Successful KURe scholars will use the experiences of the program to obtain NIH research funding as well as promotion to a tenure track or equivalent academic position.