The primary goal of our Women’s Reproductive Health Research Program is to offer cutting-edge, mentored, multidisciplinary career development opportunities for exceptional junior clinician-scientists dedicated to enhancing women's reproductive health. We believe that diversity in thought, experience, and methodology is essential to our mission.

This program connects clinical practice with outstanding basic, clinical, and translational research to tackle the national deficit of qualified researchers in this field. It features a comprehensive training framework designed to foster independence, tailored educational experiences based on individual skills and needs, extensive mentoring through teamwork, practical research involvement, and dedicated time within a dynamic research environment. Scholars will focus on one of the following seven Research Areas:

• 1) Maternal-Child Health & Epidemiology

• 2) Reproductive Biology

• 3) Gynecologic Health Across the Lifespan

• 4) Gynecologic Oncology

• 5) Innovative Technology

• 6) Social Medicine and Health Equity

Each Scholar will benefit from a multidisciplinary mentoring team and have access to a wealth of resources, along with the robust reproductive research infrastructure provided by the OB/GYN Department and beyond. The K12 Program is designed to facilitate a smooth transition for scholars as they progress toward becoming independent investigators.

K12 Mentored Career Development Program

The K12 award includes a salary and a minimum of $25,000 annually for research support. It is anticipated that the research conducted during the K12 program will lay the groundwork for an independent NIH grant (R01 or R21). Typically, scholars are expected to dedicate 9 person-months (75% of full-time effort) to the K12 program.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must exhibit outstanding capabilities in their fellowship research or early junior faculty roles. A strong dedication to an academic research career in women’s reproductive health is a crucial qualifying factor, demonstrated through publications.

To qualify, candidates must:

• 1) Be pursuing an academic research career.
• 2) Hold an M.D. or D.O. degree.
• 3) Have completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology.
• 4) Be no more than four years post-board eligibility in their subspecialty.
• 5) Have completed or be in the final year of postdoctoral fellowship training in obstetrics and gynecology, or advanced clinical research training.
• 6) Be able to commit at least 9 person-months (or 75% of full-time effort) to research and career development (or 50% if in a surgical-heavy subspecialty).
• 7) Not have served as a Principal Investigator on an R01, R29, U01/U10, subproject of a Program Project, Center grant, or any individual mentored or non-mentored career development award (e.g., K01, K02, K08, K22, K23, K24, K25, K99).

Appointment Details

The number and type of appointments available each year depend on the number of Scholars continuing in the Program. Currently, there is one open position starting in July 2027. Ongoing participation in the WRHRS Program will be contingent upon demonstrating progress toward independence and the continued need for support.

Salary Information

The anticipated salary range for this position is between $175,000 and $193,000.

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer and actively promotes affirmative action.

The core functions of research and education at our institution rely on the freedom of thought and expression. We value faculty who contribute to a respectful and open academic environment for colleagues, students, and staff from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Candidates are encouraged to include a brief discussion in their research and teaching statements about how their experiences and work will advance these values.

Application Requirements

All applications for the K12 program must include:

1. Cover Letter (optional)

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Proof of M.D. or D.O. degree with completed residency

4. Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency

5. Three Letters of Reference

6. Research Statement: A three-page document outlining your research plan, career aspirations, and potential mentors

7. If a Lead Mentor has been identified, a letter confirming their commitment to the Scholar and available resources.

Application Process & Deadlines

All applications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee, following a process similar to NIH peer review. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file. Reviews will commence on August 1, 2026, and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interviews will begin in August 2026.

Key Personnel

Principal Investigator:
Leslee Subak, MD
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professor, by Courtesy, Department of Urology

Research Director and Recruitment Officer:
Virginia D. Winn, MD, PhD
Director, Reproductive, Stem Cell and Perinatal Biology

Potential Mentors by Research Focus AreaMaternal-Child Health & Epidemiology Faculty Mentors

• Brian Bateman, MD, MSC

• Suzan Carmichael, PhD

• Gary Darmstadt, MD, MS

• Yasser El-Sayed, MD

• Deirdre J. Lyell, MD

• Gary Shaw, DrPH

• Pervez Sultan, MD

Reproductive Biology Faculty Mentors

• Michael Angelo, MD, PhD

• Katherine Bianco, MD

• Catherine Blish, MD, PhD

• Ruth Lathi, MD

• Virginia D. Winn, MD, PhD

• Bo Yu, MD, MS

Gynecologic Health Across the Lifespan Faculty Mentors

• Paul Blumenthal, MD, MPH

• Bertha Chen, MD

• Amy Dobberfuhl, MD, MS

• Marcia Stefanick, PhD

• Leslee Subak, MD

Gynecologic Oncology Faculty Mentors

• Carolyn Bertozzi, PhD

• Oliver Dorigo, MD, PhD

• Sarah Heilshorn, PhD

• Brooke Howitt, MD

• Erinn Rankin, PhD

Innovative Technology Faculty Mentors

• Nima Aghaeepour, PhD

• Brice Gaudilliere, MD, PhD

• Michael Snyder, PhD

• Hyongsok Tom Soh, PhD

Social Medicine & Health Equity Faculty Mentors

• Catherine Benedict, PhD

• Ian Gotlib, PhD

• Debra Kaysen, PhD

• Anisha Patel, MD, MSPH

• Ciaran Phibbs, PhD

• Holly Tabor, PhD