The Surgical Outcomes Center for Kids summer research internship in pediatric neurosurgery is currently accepting applications through Friday, April 1. The SOCKs program, within the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, provides a readily accessible research infrastructure available to surgeon-scientists in pediatrics. The SOCKs infrastructure allows surgeon-scientists to merge their research and clinical interests to increase academic productivity and participation in national academic meetings while moving the clinical enterprise forward.
The part-time, paid internship will take place for eight to 10 weeks from late May through early August. The hands-on experience will focus on clinical research topics within the pediatric neurosurgical arena. The student will participate in dedicated research to develop critical skills needed to become an independent investigator.
Upon completion of the program, the student will have experience in:
- Working with multiple subspecialties and providers in a collaborative research environment
- Constructing a rational hypothesis
- Understanding clinical research methodology
- Clearly identifying future directions and clinical implications of current research
- Effectively communicating research findings, including drafting and writing material that may lead to co-authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts or presenting at national-level meetings
- Ethically conducting research
Eligible students are those who are interested in a medical career and have completed at least one year of undergraduate or postgraduate study from an accredited school or university. Previous research experience is not required. Applicants are required to submit a resume, a statement of interest and their GPA. Selected applicants will participate in a virtual interview with members of the SOCKs team.
Since its launch, the SOCKs program has produced more than 130 publications aimed at improving health and care of children through 120 trainee researchers and 29 academically productive surgeons. By assessing surgical and patient-centered outcomes, members provide data for informed decision-making, standards of excellence and improvement initiatives.