Virginia Tech’s Presidential Postdoctoral Science Policy and Research Ethics Fellowships are intended for postdoctoral researchers who are highly motivated to learn about the science-policy interface while applying their technical knowledge and analytical skills to the science policy and research ethics realms. It is critically important for scientists to effectively collaborate with policymakers and the media. This fellowship addresses the need for specialized training to prepare postdocs for science advocacy and careers in public policy and research ethics. Virginia Tech Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows will engage in various career and professional opportunities (estimated at 2-4 events per semester) organized through the Virginia Tech Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and our partners, and will receive resources to advance their professional development during their fellowship.

This position will be under the direction of Cristen Jandreau, Director of the Research Conflict of Interest Program in the Division of Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance (SIRC). It is a field-specific postdoctoral position with a research focus to examine important and emerging concerns in the research integrity and compliance fields. The postdoc will develop their project based on a topic of interest consistent with SIRC’s mission and strategic goals. Strong projects will leverage the postdoc’s technical background, their policy area of interest, and Virginia Tech’s/the Commonwealth of Virginia’s networks and relationships in the government and science community. The goal of the postdoctoral experience will be to expose scientists to practice and research in the science policy and research ethics fields.

Objectives
• To experience the fields of science policy and research ethics in the higher education setting, with a focus on scholarly integrity and research compliance policies
• To develop and conduct original research related to research integrity, objectivity in research, compliance with federal research regulations, the role of science in policy-making, or related topic
• To develop expertise in science policy and research ethics for future employment opportunities in federal, state, and private agencies, and organizations
• To explore events that increase awareness of diverse careers and gain networking and mentoring opportunities that foster career transition

Partnership with Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering & Science Fellowship Fellowship
This position involves participation in the Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering & Science Fellowship (COVES) program. The Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (VASEM) 12-week fellowship program positions fellows as science advisors in a variety of possible placements, including legislative offices, executive agencies, or prominent companies and nonprofits in the state of Virginia.

During the first week of the fellowship, fellows will attend a science policy bootcamp and orientation that will offer training in science policy and communication and will provide an introduction to governance and policy-making in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Fellows will gain experience by serving their host office and performing relevant tasks such as researching, drafting, and revising relevant policies. In addition to their work in policy offices, fellows will also be paired with a VASEM member who will serve as an experienced science policy mentor throughout the fellowship.