Non‑ACGME Plastic Surgery Research Fellow
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware**
Position Title: Plastic Surgery Research Fellow (Non‑ACGME)
Department: Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Location: Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
Position Type: Full‑Time, One‑Year Research Fellowship (Renewable for a second year based on performance and funding)
Compensation:
Residents currently enrolled in an ACGME‑accredited residency program will be compensated according to their PGY level aligned with the Thomas Jefferson Medical School salary ladder.
Non‑resident applicants (e.g., medical students, international graduates) will receive compensation according to Nemours Research Fellow pay scales.
The Non‑ACGME Plastic Surgery Research Fellowship at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware offers a dedicated year of full‑time clinical outcomes, translational, and basic science research within the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. The fellow works closely with faculty, residents, advanced practice providers, and multidisciplinary collaborators to advance scientific discovery and improve outcomes in pediatric plastic surgery, craniofacial surgery, microsurgery, hand surgery, and reconstructive surgery. This position is ideal for motivated individuals pursuing a career in plastic surgery who seek to strengthen their research portfolio, gain exposure to high‑volume pediatric plastic surgery, and build long‑term academic productivity.
Key Responsibilities
Research Activities
Design, implement, and manage clinical outcomes studies, database research, and prospective research protocols.
Coordinate IRB submissions, modifications, renewals, and compliance activities.
Collect, manage, and analyze clinical and imaging data.
Perform statistical analysis with support from biostatistics (training available).
Prepare abstracts, posters, and oral presentations for national meetings (e.g., APSA, ASPS, ACPA).
Draft and submit manuscripts to peer‑reviewed journals.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including craniofacial, ENT, neurosurgery, orthopedics, neonatology, and rehabilitation.
Participate in grant writing and research funding applications as appropriate.
Clinical Exposure (Observation Only; Non‑ACGME)
Optional structured OR and clinic observation with attending surgeons.
Participation in interdisciplinary craniofacial team reviews and case conferences.
Attendance at departmental academic programming (M&M, indications conference, journal club, resident teaching).
No independent patient care responsibilities (this is a research-only role).
Plastic surgery surgical service call required.
Administrative & Leadership Responsibilities
Assist in research training for medical students and rotating observers.
Contribute to maintaining the division’s research databases and registries.
Support ongoing quality improvement (QI) projects within the division.
Represent the division at institutional research committees or national meetings (as assigned).
Qualifications
Required
MD/DO, MBBS, or equivalent degree OR currently enrolled in an ACGME‑accredited residency program (plastic surgery, general surgery, ENT, orthopedics, or related field).
Strong interest in academic plastic surgery.
Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
Ability to work both independently and within a team.
Commitment to ethical and compliant research conduct.
Preferred
Prior experience with research design, statistical analysis, or manuscript writing.
Prior publications or conference presentations.
Experience with REDCap, statistical software (SPSS, R, Stata), or advanced imaging tools.
Experience working with pediatric populations or pediatric surgical specialties
Duration
Reporting Structure
Reports to: Division Chief of Plastic Surgery
Works closely with:
Plastic Surgery faculty
Plastic Surgery residents & APPs
Clinical research coordinators and research administration
Nemours Biomedical Research teams
Craniofacial and multidisciplinary partners
Learning Objectives
By the end of the fellowship, the Research Fellow will have achieved:
Substantial authorship on manuscripts submitted to peer‑reviewed journals
Accepted abstracts at major plastic surgery or pediatric surgery conferences
Competency in study design, IRB processes, and data analysis
Improved understanding of pediatric plastic surgery and craniofacial pathology
A strong academic foundation to support a competitive application to plastic surgery residency or fellowship programs
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Statement outlining research interests and career goals
One to three letters of recommendation
For current residents: Letter of good standing from Program Director
For international applicants: Documentation of work authorization (Nemours sponsorship may vary)
Nemours Children's Health is an internationally recognized pediatric health system serving more than 1.7 million patient encounters each year. We deliver care across six states through two freestanding children’s hospitals — Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida — along with a network of more than 80 primary, urgent, and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospital partnerships.
Backed by the Nemours Foundation and Alfred I. duPont Trust, our $1.7B nonprofit system is dedicated to improving children's health through clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention. Our Whole Child Health approach focuses equally on prevention and treatment, partnering with communities to help every child thrive.
Inclusion and belonging guide our strategy and growth. We are committed to culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and fostering an environment where every associate, patient, and family feels supported and valued.
Learn more at Nemours.org
Nemours Children's Health is committed to improving the health of children. As a non-profit children’s health organization, we consider the health of every child to be a sacred trust.
Through family-centered care in our children’s hospitals and clinics in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida, as well as world-changing research, education and advocacy, Nemours fulfills the promise of a healthier tomorrow for all children — even those who may never enter our doors.
Nemours began more than 80 years ago with the vision of Alfred I. duPont to improve the lives of children and to do whatever it takes to prevent and treat even the most disabling childhood conditions.
Today, through our children’s hospitals and health system, we directly care for 250,000 children annually in Delaware Valley and Florida, including families who travel from across the country and world to see our specialists — treating every child as we would our own.
We also reach beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics to be a voice for children on a national and international level, and to lead the way in prevention, intervention, education, and research.
Nemours is growing to better serve the children and families in our care. We have 1.1 million square feet of space currently devoted to providing children’s healthcare or under construction, all designed with significant input and advice from our patients and families.
