Description
Position Overview
The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is accepting applications for a fully funded Surgical Research Fellowship. This is a two-year position designed for qualified surgical residents and trainees interested in pursuing a career in cardiology or cardiothoracic surgery.
Ideal candidates are surgical trainees currently enrolled in or completing an accredited ACGME program in the United States who have a required or elective research years within their surgical training program, or who are seeking a structured research opportunity between training phases.
About the Research Program
Our research program is nationally recognized for its productivity and impact. On average, the Division generates 10–12 oral presentations and 15–20 peer-reviewed publications per year. Fellows routinely receive awards and deliver highlighted presentations at major national and international conferences. The program maintains a strong presence across multiple domains, including original research articles, novel surgical techniques, innovative medical device development, and clinical trials.
Fellows work under the direct mentorship of our distinguished faculty and are embedded in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment. Upon completion of surgical training, fellows are assigned increasingly complex translational projects and are expected to lead pre-clinical studies independently.
Responsibilities
Pre-Clinical & Translational Research
- Participate in translational studies involving surgical skills to evaluate surgical and medical devices in large animal models
- Conduct and assist with experimental procedures requiring competency in cardiothoracic surgical techniques
- Collect, organize, and manage experimental data from pre-clinical studies
- Ensure the health, wellbeing, and ethical treatment of study animals throughout all pre-clinical protocols
- Lead translational studies and complex experimental projects (fellows who have completed surgical training)
Clinical & Outcomes Research
- Conduct clinical research projects in collaboration with Division faculty, including retrospective reviews and large database analyses
- Assist in all aspects of outcomes research, including study design, IRB preparation, and protocol development
- Perform database mining, data collection, and management using national and institutional surgical databases
- Source, review, and organize literature references to support ongoing and new research projects
- Prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals and support publication workflows
Scholarly & Mentorship Activities
- Present research findings at national and international surgical and cardiology conferences
- Serve as a direct mentor for summer undergraduate students participating in the SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) program
- Guide SURF students in executing their projects and share personal career experiences to support their professional development
- Contribute to the intellectual and academic mission of the Division through active participation in conferences and research meetings
Requirements
- Minimum Qualifications
MD degree required (MD/PhD preferred) - Minimum of 1–2 years of surgical residency training in an ACGME-accredited program
- Prior research experience, particularly in a laboratory or translational setting, is strongly preferred
- Demonstrated interest in a career in cardiothoracic surgery or cardiology
- Minimum commitment of two (2) years
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present scientific work effectively
Interested candidates should submit the following materials:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Personal statement describing research interests and career goals (1–2 pages)
- Two to three letters of recommendation from surgical or research mentors
- USMLE/COMLEX scores and medical school transcripts (if applicable)
