Supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH

This interdepartmental program provides predoctoral and postdoctoral research training in the study of the causes and prevention of adverse consequences to human health that may result from environmental exposures.

Why Study Toxicology?

Exposures to chemical, physical and biological agents have the potential to adversely affect human health. Toxicologists identify environmental exposures of concern, reveal mechanisms by which toxicants initiate pathological dysfunction or disease, identify interventions for the prevention of adverse effects, and estimate acceptable levels of exposure for the protection of the public health.

Toxicologists contribute their scientific expertise to society as teachers, researchers, policy advisors and consultants in academic, government, nonprofit and private institutions. Individuals with a background in biological, chemical, environmental or epidemiological sciences who have a desire to improve the understanding of how environmental agents impact human health will find exciting, varied, challenging and rewarding Careers in Toxicology .

The Program

Based in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, the program brings together faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and research scientists from across the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus who share interests and expertise in toxicology. Opportunities that foster interactions include an Annual Toxicology Symposium and a Weekly Seminar Series that incorporate presentations by invited outside speakers and University of Michigan students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members. In addition, individual laboratories or groups of researchers form journal clubs on specified topics and the Toxicology Student Association provides increased opportunities for social and intellectual interactions among students and postdoctoral fellows from across the campus.

An interdisciplinary Faculty at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus provides toxicology training. Current faculty Research Projects provide opportunities for research training in molecular, biochemical, cellular, pathophysiological and epidemiological toxicology, reflecting the breadth and interactive nature of toxicological science from the molecule to human populations.

A Core Curriculum provides the academic foundation for toxicology research for predoctoral graduate students and opportunities for postdoctoral fellows to enhance their academic background. A large selection of other courses provides opportunities for specialized academic preparation.

The University of Michigan has the oldest predoctoral training program in toxicology in the USA. As a leading teaching and research institution, the University of Michigan offers a dynamic, well-funded and exciting atmosphere for advanced research training in toxicology.

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with diverse interests and from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds join the Program to receive advanced trained in the specialized science of toxicology, often by engaging in research in areas quite different from their prior training experiences. Follow the link to Current Trainees to learn more about current graduate student and postdoctoral fellow backgrounds and research activities.

Graduates of the program have distinguished themselves in careers of service at academic institutions, in local, state and federal agencies, and in private and non-profit organizations. Follow the link to Graduates of the Program to learn more about their careers and activities.

Fellowships

A training grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH provides predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships to citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or to individuals with legal permanent residence status in the United States. These NIH fellowships provide monthly stipends and health insurance, and are awarded on the basis of academic preparation, letters of recommendation and commitment to a career in toxicology.

Academic Preparation

The predoctoral program accepts applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree. Academic preparation typically includes coursework in biology, chemistry (through organic), biochemistry, physics and calculus. Experience working in a research laboratory is desirable. Graduate students must be enrolled in a graduate science Departmental Predoctoral Program on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus at the University of Michigan.

The postdoctoral program accepts applicants with a Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant science field. Candidates must have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree prior to initiating the fellowship.

Application Procedure

Predoctoral Fellowships

Applications for predoctoral fellowships are accepted from predoctoral students enrolled in the Toxicology Program of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences.

Offers of training grant predoctoral fellowship awards are made beginning March 1 for the following academic year and continue until all available positions are filled.

Predoctoral applications should include:

• A letter from the student describing interest in toxicology training and career goals

• At least two additional letters of recommendation
  
• Undergraduate and graduate (if relevant) transcripts
  

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applicants are encouraged to review the Faculty and contact directly the faculty member(s) whose research is of interest. If the applicant has not identified a faculty mentor, the application will be distributed to the training faculty to determine if any faculty members have an interest in mentoring the applicant. Postdoctoral fellowships are awarded only to candidates with an identified mentor.

Applications for training grant postdoctoral fellowships are accepted throughout the year. Applications are reviewed upon receipt and offers of postdoctoral fellowship awards are made as positions become available.

Postdoctoral applications should include:

• A cover letter describing how the proposed research training will contribute to the applicant's career plans with specific reference to toxicology
• A curriculum vitae
• A copy of graduate transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• After a faculty mentor has agreed to sponsor a postdoctoral application, the applicant must also submit:

  A brief research proposal describing the intended postdoctoral research (approximately three pages in length)

  " A supporting letter from the proposed postdoctoral research training mentor

Submission

Inquiries and application materials should be sent by email, fax, or mail to:

Environmental Toxicology Research Training Program
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
1420 Washington Heights Avenue
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029

Phone: (734) 764-5410
Fax: (734) 647-9770
Email: toxicology@umich.edu

Annual Toxicology Symposium