Research Fellowship in Palliative Care

The University of Rochester Palliative Care Research Center is committed to training the next generation of leaders in palliative care research to improve care for patients with serious illness and their families. We recognize that it takes protected time and outstanding mentorship to set the foundation for a successful research career. 

We are thrilled to now offer a research fellowship with 2 years of dedicated research support beyond clinical training. 

We are pleased to offer research fellowship options for 3 groups:

1. ACGME Hospice & Palliative Medicine (HPM) Fellows who want to initiate research projects during their clinical fellowship to continue for 1-2 years beyond their clinical year. 
2. Physicians who are HPM fellowship-trained OR other physicians in other specialties (e.g. cardiology, neurology, oncology, pediatrics, surgery) who have intensive interests in palliative care research.
3. Post-doctoral researchers or interdisciplinary health care professionals from any background who have a strong interested in palliative care research.

Eligibility: Candidates must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, permanent U.S. residents or have a Green Card.

Fellowship Activities

Fellowship activities will include:

• Guidance and mentorship from University of Rochester faculty in palliative care research and relevant research methodology.
• Completion of an original research project under the guidance of your primary mentor and mentorship team.
• Development of scientific writing and presentation skills, including manuscript-writing, grant-writing and conference presentations.
• Completion of coursework in research methods relevant to your career goals through the University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
• Opportunities to present your ideas, projects, manuscripts and grants to our monthly Works in Progress sessions.
• Participation in conferences, retreats and other meetings that are relevant to your work in palliative care and other departments and divisions at the University of Rochester.

Our Faculty

The University of Rochester has a long history of ground-breaking research and thought leadership relevant to palliative care including key contributions to the development of the biopsychosocial model, the concept of primary palliative care, communication training, perinatal palliative care and neuropalliative care. The Palliative Care Research Center was founded in 2020 by Dr. Benzi Kluger to organize and increase recognition of research efforts in this field across our campus. We have internationally recognized faculty mentors in neuropalliative care, palliative oncology, geriatrics-palliative care, pediatrics, perinatal palliative care and communication research. 

The Environment

University of Rochester is a thriving academic institution situated in Rochester, NY, a mid-sized metropolitan area in western New York on the shores of Lake Ontario in the Finger Lakes Region. The region is known for its natural beauty, four seasons, outdoor activities, bike and nature trails, Erie Canal, affordable housing, and traffic-free roadways.  The world-renowned Eastman School of Music contributes to a vibrant arts, music and theatre scene.  Home to feminist icon Susan B. Anthony and civil-rights trailblazer Frederick Douglass, the region has spawned social and cultural movements for more than 150 years. 

Compensation and Benefits

Salary support and a competitive benefit package will be commensurate with post-graduate training and PGY status for clinical trainees and NIH-recommended levels of support for doctoral and post-doctoral fellows.

How to Apply

For ACGME Fellowship applicants interested in the Research Fellowship:

• Email our Director of Research, Dr. Benzi Kluger (benzi_kluger@urmc.rochester.edu) AND the HPM Fellowship Director (Dr. Rachel Diamond) to indicate interest in the research fellowship.
• In addition to the ERAS documents requested, please address your background in research, career goals, and research interests in your personal statement OR provide a separate page outline these interests and email to Benzi Kluger. A specific project or mentor is not required, but could be integrated into this personal statement if applicant has specific interests or projects in mind. The Research team will be available to you in the 6 months prior to your fellowship if you want to discuss potential projects and/or mentors.

For Non-ACGME fellowship applicants:

• Please provide a CV, 3 letters of references, and a 2-page personal statement which addresses your background in research, career goals, and research interests in palliative care.  Email these items to Benzi Kluger at benzi_kluger@urmc.rochester.edu.

Research Fellowship Coordinator:  

Erik Olsen, Division Administrator
Erik_Olsen@urmc.rochester.edu

Research Fellowship Directors:

Benzi Kluger, MD Director of Research
Benzi_Kluger@urmc.rochester.edu

ACGME Fellowship Directors:

Rachel Diamond and Paul Vermilion