Frequently Asked Questions
Are there funds available to help with moving expenses?
No, this is not an allowable expense.
Can I expect an increase in the stipend level for the second year?
Our stipend level is already above NIH levels for fellows entering a program with up to three years’ prior post-doctoral experience. You can expect the same salary throughout. Institutional research training grants must be used to support a program of fulltime research training. Within the fulltime training period, research trainees who are also training as clinicians must devote their time to the proposed research training and must confine clinical duties to those that are an integral part of the research training experience. However, clinicians may be able to supplement their stipend through clinical work beyond the fulltime training requirement.
What if I get a job offer before the fellowship period ends?
The end date is negotiable. Appointments are normally made in 12 month increments, and no trainee may be appointed for less than 9 months during the initial period of appointment.
Is there a possibility to extend the fellowship for a third year?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis.
What will the office space look like?
Fellows will have a dedicated cubicle in Walter Webb Hall or Dell Medical School. In addition, your primary mentor may be located in a different location and may offer you an additional office space.
What kind of computer will I have?
Fellows will order a new desktop or laptop computer, plus necessary software, with assistance from an administrative assistant.
Are there funds to recruit my own research assistants?
There is no funding to hire research assistants through the T32 mechanism; however, you could consider supervising an intern who wants to gain research experience. You are also encouraged to apply for internal and external grants for such purposes.
How will authorship be attributed in collaborative projects?
Authorship will be negotiated with your mentor(s) and/or collaborators.
Will I have protected time to work on my dissertation papers?
Yes. If applicable, you will be expected to prepare manuscripts from your dissertation and you will have protected time to do so. Your specific schedule and time spent on various projects will be negotiated with your mentor(s).
How many vacation days, sick days, and holidays will be provided?
Time off will be negotiated with your primary mentor.
Are there funds to support training workshops and formal coursework?
Yes. Tuition for coursework is provided as well as a generous professional development allowance.
Will health insurance be provided?
Yes. Your stipend will be supplemented by $4,800 (for postdoctoral fellows) or $4,150 (for predoctoral fellows) to purchase insurance through UT Austin or on your own. You may elect to enroll in health insurance with the university’s group insurance program through our Human Resource Service Center. You can find additional information on the insurance coverage including how to start enrollment on the following webpage: https://hr.utexas.edu/current/insurance/research-affiliate-postdoctoral-fellow.
Will I be able to engage in clinical work during the fellowship?
Physician fellows and other fellows with a clinical degree may engage in clinical practice during the fellowship period. However, per NIH policy, research trainees must devote 40 hours per week to their proposed research training. Trainees may engage outside employment that is incidental to the fellowship (to include clinical work) for up to 10 hours per week beyond their full-time research training requirement. Research trainees who are also training as clinicians may engage in clinical work within the 40 hours per week research training requirement only if that work is an integral part of the research training experience. For those who wish to pursue clinical work, The Dell Medical School has its own clinics, although limited in size and scope. It also has ongoing formal relationships with Ascension-Seton and its two main hospitals in Austin (Dell-Seton Medical Center and Seton Main), and their inpatient and outpatient specialty and subspecialty services. Dell Med also has formal, strong relationships with two networks of federally qualified health centers, CommUnityCare and Lone Star Circle of Care, and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ large community-based outpatient clinic in Austin.
Will my malpractice insurance be paid for?
Physician fellows appointed to the Dell Medical School may receive malpractice insurance through their membership with UT Health Austin’s physician practice plan. Fellowship program funds cannot be used to cover this cost.
Will there be opportunities for me to participate in CME activities as a student or teacher?
Yes.
Will there be opportunities for me to teach residents and medical students?
Yes, there are inpatient and outpatient teaching services that fellows can participate in as a physician-educator.
Will I have access to clinical data for my research?
Yes, the Dell Medical School has a well-funded Data Core that provides data for fellows’ research at no cost. These data come from all of the clinical partners listed above as well as other health care venues, etc. In addition, there is increasingly available non-clinical data from such sources as the U.S. Census Bureau, the EPA, Austin Independent School District, criminal justice systems, etc. — much of which is under development but will be available to fellows as these data are brought into Dell Med’s data enterprise warehouse.
Can I consult with the faculty about my taxes?
We cannot provide any tax advice, unfortunately. There are some online resources available on the Accounting and Financial Management website, including FAQs and an email address to send
inquiries (tax@austin.utexas.edu), that you may find helpful.