The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) and the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics (B&B) have partnered to offer the DCRI Clinical Research Biostatistics Fellowship (Predoctoral). The program addresses a critical need for biostatisticians with technical expertise 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 the 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 tuition, fees, and stipend payments at the standard Duke rates.
Our Mission
The fellowship aims to train a diverse pool of biostatisticians to address methodological challenges in cutting-edge clinical research and 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 and are 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 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 2025-2026)
Applications are only accepted from current Duke Biostatistics PhD students. To apply, please send the following application materials to Sean O'Brien, PhD, Program Director.
- Curriculum vitae
- Duke transcript
- Brief (1-2 paragraphs) statement of interest describing your interest in clinical research and how you might benefit.
Deadline for Applications: January 26, 2025
About the DCRI
The DCRI is committed to advancing research methodology and training the next generation of clinical researchers. As an academic clinical research organization, the DCRI unites the clinical expertise and academic leadership of a premier teaching hospital with the capabilities of a full-service contract research organization. Thus our teams of faculty and operational experts provide the independence, scientific leadership, and collaborative approaches to look at research challenges differently.
Contact Us
For more information about the DCRI Biostatistical Training for Clinical Research Fellowship, please contact Sean O'Brien, PhD.
