Funding for Epidemiology Doctoral Students
Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) appointments or trainee appointments associated with training grants as described below may be offered by Epidemiology department faculty to selected doctoral degree program students or accepted applicants. Candidates for trainee appointments must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, although both international and U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for GSR appointments. Contact Dr. Tina Costacou, doctoral program director, or Amy Rhodes, epidemiology student services manager and program administrator, for more information about GSRs.
Contact information for training grant representatives is identified below. Generally, priority in trainee appointment consideration is given to continuing students as opposed to applicants, but applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may contact grant representative to inquire about the availability of positions and their eligibility based upon their academic backgrounds and experience.
Graduate Student Researcher Positions
Graduate student researcher (GSR) positions are provided by faculty members to selected doctoral program students or accepted applicants. Appointment responsibilities may encompass activities related to students’ individual dissertation preparation or may be based upon a specific research project. All positions provide students with invaluable opportunities to collaborate with faculty and colleagues, and acquire transferable skills.
Candidates are identified by faculty based upon individual academic background and experience sought, and in some cases, comparable research interests. Those selected for consideration are contacted directly by faculty via phone or email. Appointments are awarded largely at the start of academic terms, but offers may be extended at other times when funding is available.
The GSR program is competitive because of the great demand for these training opportunities. Due to limited financial resources, it is not possible for the Department of Epidemiology to offer these appointments to all doctoral students. Students not receiving an appointment should be prepared to provide their own sources of funding for the duration of their study at Pitt Public Health.
- Eligibility
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Accepted doctoral program (PhD) applicants or continuing doctoral students may be considered for GSR appointments in the Department of Epidemiology. Master’s program (MPH or MS) applicants and continuing master’s degree students are not considered for these appointments.
- How to be Considered for an Appointment
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Doctoral program applicants are automatically considered for GSR appointments unless they indicate through their applications that they are not seeking or do not need funding support.
Continuing, unfunded epidemiology PhD or DrPH students seeking financial support should contact Amy Rhodes about how to proceed.
- Effort and Course Registration Requirements
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GSRs are expected to devote twenty hours per week to the research project. They must maintain a full-time credit load during fall and spring terms (9–15 credits).
- Appointments
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GSR appointments range from one to two terms at a time (fall, spring). Summer term appointments are awarded separately. Appointment renewals are subject to satisfactory job performance and availability of funding support.
- Stipend
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The monthly stipend payment for a GSR is currently $2,500.
- Tuition Scholarships
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GSRs will receive full tuition scholarships to cover up to 15 credits.
- Health Insurance
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GSRs will be provided individual coverage under the UPMC Health Plan for graduate students. Family coverage is available at an additional cost to the student.