Candidate Evaluation and Selection
Candidates should identify a potential mentor and contact this mentor prior to applying to the program to ensure a match between the research interests and goals of the applicant and the potential mentor.
Candidates are evaluated by a panel of faculty reviewers in their own fields and in related fields. Faculty reviewers will evaluate candidates according to their academic accomplishments, the strength of their research proposal, and their potential for faculty careers that will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity through their mentoring, research and service. Faculty reviewers also may consider the mentor's potential to work productively with the candidate and commitment to equity and diversity in higher education. Faculty reviewers will submit their recommendations to the Office of Faculty Affairs and Diversity, where the final selections will be determined.
In evaluating the candidates' potential to contribute to diversity and equal opportunity through their academic careers, faculty review committees may consider the following criteria:
Teaching, Mentoring and Service
Applicants are encouraged to address these points in their Education Background Statements.
Contribution to Higher Education
Applicants who have the potential to contribute to higher education through their understanding of women, domestic minorities, LGBTQ individuals, students with disabilities, and other members of groups underrepresented in higher education careers, as evidenced by life experiences and educational background. Examples include but are not limited to:
- attendance at a minority serving institution;
- participation in higher education pipeline programs such as Summer Research Opportunity Programs or McNair Scholars.
Record of Leadership
Applicants with a record of leadership or significant experience teaching and mentoring students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education.
Academic Achievement
Applicants who have demonstrated significant academic achievement by overcoming barriers such as economic, social or educational disadvantage.
Public Service
Applicants with a record of leadership or significant experience performing public service addressing the needs of our increasingly diverse society.
Research
Applicants are encouraged to address these points in their Research Proposals.
Academic Research
Applicants with the potential to bring to their academic research the critical perspective that comes from their understanding of the experiences of groups historically underrepresented in higher education or underserved by academic research generally.
Research Focusing on Underserved Populations
Applicants in any field who have research interests focusing on underserved populations and understanding issues of racial or gender inequalities. For example:
- research that addresses issues such as race, gender, diversity and inclusion, health disparities, and other questions of interest to historically underrepresented groups
Other Factors That May Be Considered
Faculty review committees may give less consideration to applicants who:
- Currently hold tenure-track faculty appointments or have received faculty offers
- Have had significant postdoctoral experience
- Propose to work in the department where they received their PhD
- Currently hold a postdoctoral appointment at Fred Hutch
Applicants in any of the four situations above should address their circumstances in their application. For example, an applicant who is staying in the same department due to family needs would be given full consideration.
Eligibility
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are welcome to apply.
Eligible applicants include new Fred Hutch postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral fellows who will have joined Fred Hutch after January 1st of the current year.
Frequently Asked Questions: Prospective Applicants
Yes. Eligible applicants include new FHCC postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral fellows who have joined the FHCC after January 1st of the current year for which they are applying. For example, this applcation cycle we would accept applications from postdocs whose start date is after January 1, 2024 at Fred Hutch.
No. The Program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria without regard to race, gender, or ethnicity
Yes. Successful applicants must present documents demonstrating that they are legally authorized to work in the United States without restrictions or limitations. The University will not sponsor employment visas for this fellowship. Please note that in compliance with federal law, all persons selected will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Information regarding citizenship, gender, race and ethnicity is requested for statistical purposes only and will not be provided to the Diverse Trainee Fund Review Committee.
As the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is a biomedical research institution, most applicants will be expected to have a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD and preparing for an academic career focused on research and/or teaching.