Overview
The University of Texas at Arlington is dedicating approximately $9M in one-time Regents Research Excellence Program funding to support postdoctoral fellows as Phase 4 of the RISE 100 initiative. This funding will support three cohorts of postdoctoral fellows. Each cohort will include between 8-15 postdoctoral fellows.
Awards will be made to faculty to support the hiring of a postdoc for two years to conduct research in an area of interest to the faculty mentor. Mentors will be expected to develop their protégé’s capability as an independent researcher and scholar who will be competitive for prestigious academic or non-academic opportunities. Awards will support:
- Salary of up to $55,000 (suggested as a competitive amount)
- Comprehensive employee benefits
- A discretionary research, travel, and professional development budget of $5,000 – $10,000 for the 2-year term will be expected from the PI or their department as a cost-share.
Eligibility & Criteria
All tenured and tenure-track faculty who have successfully passed their third year review are eligible to apply. Approvals will preference postdoctoral placements that meet the following criteria:
- Research area aligns with one of the five strategic research areas: Health and the Human Condition, Sustainable Communities, Culture and Societal Transformations, Data-Driven Discovery, and Global Environmental Impact.
- Faculty mentor has already been successful in securing competitive, external research funding and is poised to move to an even higher level of success with additional support from a postdoc.
- Faculty mentor (or their department) has adequate resources for the postdoc to have office space, a computer, and access to equipment and supplies as appropriate to the research.
- Proposed work will lead to a new or greatly expanded funding stream for the faculty mentor.
- The postdoc position may include an opportunity to engage in teaching. If so, please indicate what the teaching experience is proposed to be. Teaching should be limited to no more than one course per year.
- Faculty mentor agrees to be accountable for the new position resulting in increased external funding for their research program, including possible continued support for the postdoc position beyond the 2-year "startup" period.
- Faculty mentor commits to submitting at least one major proposal each year. A major proposal should include at least one fully funded doctoral GRA position and full IDC returns.
- Faculty mentor commits to providing career-enhancing mentoring through an individual development plan, with 10% of postdoc time available for professional development activities that enhance skills, job market knowledge, and career success.
- Commitment to funding travel, professional development and providing needed technology such as a computer.
Application Process
To apply for Postdoc Cohort #1, please provide an application letter (3-page maximum) addressing the above criteria and providing the postdoctoral candidate’s resume or, if not know, the eligibility criteria. An application letter template may be found here. These materials should be combined into a single PDF file and emailed to grover@uta.edu with a copy to andrea.thomas2@uta.edu. To receive full consideration, submit your application before 8:00 am on March 4, 2024.
Selection Process
We are currently prioritizing anticipated start dates between June 1 and August 1, 2024 start date for the postdoc. Applications will be reviewed, and awardees will be selected by the Vice President for Research and Innovation in consultation with the Dean of the Graduate School, and relevant Dean(s) or their designee(s). All applicants will be notified of a decision via email by March 12, 2024.
FAQ
Am I eligible to apply?
The only eligibility criteria is that the applicant must hold a tenure-track or tenured faculty position.
What is the required format of the application?
A single pdf is required that includes a cover letter and either the CV of your top postdoc candidate or your list of criteria. An application letter template has been provided here; however, there is no required format for either the cover letter or CV. It is suggested that your cover letter addresses the four preferential criteria for selection:
- Research area aligns with one of the strategic initiatives described here.
- Faculty mentor has already been successful in securing competitive, external research funding and is poised to move to an even higher level of success with additional support from a postdoc.
- Envisioned work will lead to a new or greatly expanded funding stream for the faculty member.
- Faculty mentor agrees to be accountable for accomplishing increased external funding for their research program, and for the mentoring and development of their protégé.
- The source of funding to support travel, professional development and equipment.
Am I required to pre-select my postdoc candidate to apply?
Proposals that have identified a candidate will receive priority, especially if they make a case for the individual’s high potential. However, faculty are eligible to apply without having to pre-select a postdoctoral candidate. If an application does not include a CV, please briefly list what qualifications would be required in a candidate. Upon award notification, the PI will be approved to run a job announcement and advertisement, if needed. Future cohorts will permit the submission of a recruitment plan for consideration as part of the review process.
Is my existing postdoc eligible for funding under the Postdoctoral Hiring Program?
The intent of the postdoctoral hiring program is to grow research expenditures AND the number of postdocs doing research at UTA. Thus, an application for a new postdoc represents a higher priority than one requesting continued support for a current employee.
Is the postdoctoral hiring program for STEM-only fields?
Although one of our goals is to add substantially to the "Science & Engineering Research Staff," including postdocs, the postdoctoral hiring program is not limited to those fields. The postdoc must be research-focused and dedicated to enhancing your productivity and directly increasing your annual research expenditures.
When will the second call for proposals under this program be issued?
Proposals for Cohort #2 will be accepted in Fall 2024.