In Interdisciplinary Oral Health Research
The mission of the University of Washington’s Comprehensive Training Program in Interdisciplinary Oral Health Research is to train highly qualified independent scientists who can successfully address basic, behavioral and clinical research questions to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health.
The program provides training opportunities that cover a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary oral health areas involving behavioral and clinical, as well as basic and translational science. Specific research areas supported by the training program include: 1) biostatistics, 2) epidemiology, 3) behavioral sciences , 4) molecular and genetic approaches to health and disease, 5) stem cell biology, tissue regeneration, and engineering, 6) craniofacial structure, function and development.
Training Opportunities
Pre-doctoral trainees typically pursue a PhD degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services or Oral Health Sciences.
Combined DDS/PhD trainees typically pursue a PhD in Oral Health Sciences but with potential opportunities in Epidemiology, Biostatistics or Health Services.
Postdoctoral Training for individuals who already have a doctoral degree (e.g., DDS, MD, or PhD)
The purpose of these postdoctoral fellowships is to place individuals who have completed doctoral level education into a dental research setting so they can gain additional skills in applying their expertise to dentally relevant basic or applied research. Postdoctoral trainees are expected to learn from the fellowship experience and make scientific contributions to the field. Those with DDS or other doctoral degrees may use the fellowship to pursue a research degree such as an MPH or PhD.
The non-NRSA component (R90) of the program supports postdoctoral research education experiences for individuals who have valid dental degrees from an accredited domestic or foreign institution who do not meet the T90 NRSA eligibility criteria, and are pursing independent dental, oral and craniofacial research careers. Eligible postdoctoral participants include individuals with a dual dental degree and a Ph.D. and individuals with a dental degree who may or may not be pursuing a Ph.D. degree. Clinical training is not allowed, and a R90 appointment may not be made for the purpose of satisfying state board requirements for obtaining a U.S. license to practice dentistry.
The R90 Participants are expected to be recruited from among the pool of non-citizen dentist scientists currently residing in the U.S., and who intend to pursue careers in dental, oral or craniofacial research at organizations located in the U.S.
We are currently accepting applications for a position that must be filled between August 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026. Complete applications are due no later than July 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm.
To apply, please email the SOD R90 International Trainee Application Fillable 2025 (fillable PDF) to dentres@uw.edu. The R90 application requires the submission of the following items in addition to the application form:
- Candidate CV
- Transcript(s) from the university that granted your doctoral degree(s)
- Letters from three professional references (Evaluation Form) – these can be sent directly to dentres@uw.edu
- A statement from your prospective mentor that confirms their willingness to accept you in their research group (can be sent in directly by mentor via email)
Financial Support
The trainees of the NIH National Research Service Awards (T-90) are eligible for a stipend (the amount is based on the annual NIH stipend levels at the time of the award), financial support to cover 60% of tuition cost and course fees (up to $16,000), health insurance, and $800 for travel related expenses.
Each trainee’s appointment is reviewed annually and renewal depends on mutual interest, satisfactory performance, and continued funding of the training program.
Pre-doctoral trainees and those in the DDS/PhD degree program are eligible for up to five years of NIH support; postdoctoral fellows can be supported for up to three years.