Job Description

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)

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.

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

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).

Duration

• 12 months (Start date flexible; renewable up to 24 months based on performance and mutual agreement)

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

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.

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.

For Confidential Consideration: Please apply below.

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)

#LI-JV2

Nemours Children’s Health is an internationally recognized children’s health system. With more than 1.7 million patient encounters annually, we provide medical care in five states through two freestanding state-of-the-art children’s hospitals — Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Our pediatric network includes 80 primary-urgent-and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospitalists serving 19 affiliated hospitals. We generate annual revenues of more than $1.7 billion derived from patient services, contributions from the Alfred I. duPont Trust, as well as other income.

As one of the nation's premier pediatric health systems, we’re on a journey to discover better ways of approaching children’s health. Putting as much focus on prevention as cures and working hand in hand with the community to make every child’s world a place to thrive. It’s a journey that extends beyond our nationally recognized clinical treatment to an entire integrated spectrum of research, advocacy, education, and prevention, leading to the healthiest generations of children ever.

Inclusion and belonging guide our growth and strategy. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about, and committed to, leading efforts to provide culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and helping build an inclusive and supportive environment. All of our associates are expected to ensure that these philosophies are embedded in their day-to-day work with colleagues, patients and families.

To learn more about Nemours Children’s and how we go well beyond medicine, visit us at www.nemours.org