As part of our ongoing commitment to improving global collaboration in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) research, we have launched a Mentor Pilot Program that will match senior SCI researchers with SCI Early Career Researchers. The pilot program will provide leadership, guidance and networking opportunities for both the mentor and mentee.

If you are an SCI Early Career Researcher, or know someone who is, read on to find out more about this new initiative and apply today!

Applications close on Friday 12 April 2019.

Program Aims

• To progress the research careers of talented SCI Early Career Researchers (ECR’s), particularly those with limited access to experienced researchers;
• To progress and strengthen an ECR’s specific research project;
• To advance SCI research broadly, thereby improving quality of life for people living with SCI;
• To enhance international collaborations in SCI research;
• To further develop leadership and mentoring skills in mid to senior level SCI researchers;
• To determine the feasibility of SRI coordinating a full mentor program in the future.

Program Overview

The pilot program will involve matching 1-2 mentees with a mentor. Potential mentees will submit an application to a small committee facilitated by the SRI. The committee will review the applications and attempt to match the strongest applicant/s with a suitable mentor.

Mentors are experienced SCI researchers, who have agreed to provide mentorship over a 2 year period. The mentor/mentee pair may wish to continue the relationship beyond the program period. The pair will be encouraged to communicate using the Spinal Cord Research Hub (SCoRH).

Eligibility of Mentee

Mentees must be registered users of SCoRH (www.scorh.org) and join the Early Career Researchers group. They must also have a research project they wish to progress with a mentor. To be eligible to apply, mentees must be:

• A higher degree research student (enrolled part-time or full-time in a PhD or Masters program); OR
• Less than 5 years post PhD; OR
• A practicing SCI clinician (medicine, nursing, allied health) with an interest in research.

Application Process

Applications for the Mentor Pilot Program will close on Friday 12 April 2019.

Apply by submitting your CV (maximum 2 pages) along with a short written application addressing the following (maximum 2 pages):

1. Career goals
2. Statement of need, including a description of what the applicant is seeking in a mentor
3. Goals/expected outcomes of the mentor/mentee relationship (i.e grant proposal, publication, data analysis)
4. Brief research proposal

Please email your application to info@thesri.org

Matching Process

A small committee facilitated by the SRI will review each application. If more than two eligible applications are received, the strongest two applicants will be selected. The committee will aim to “match” the successful applicant/s with a suitable mentor.

The Mentor-Mentee Relationship

• It will be up to the mentor/mentee pair to establish frequency and mode of communication.
• Upon commencement of the program the mentor/mentee pair will agree to high-level rules about respectful communication and dispute resolution.
• Formal (confidential) feedback will be provided to the committee at the end of the 2 years.
• Mentors/mentees will be encouraged to:
  • Identify areas of focus
  • Develop specific, measurable and achievable goals for the relationship (e.g. grant application, publication, presenting research outcomes at an international meeting)
  • Engage in career planning discussion to promote mentees personal development
  • Establish a schedule of regular meetings (i.e monthly zoom conference)
  • Work on a specific research project
  • Increase ECR’s networks and build relationships with other SCI researchers internationally.

Apply Today

1. 1. Applications open 7 March 2019.
   2. Applications close 12 April 2019.
   3. Please email your application to info@thesri.org
   4. All applicants, successful or unsuccessful, will be notified in May 2019.
   5. For any Mentor Program enquiries please email: info@thesri.org

For details about the Mentor Pilot Program in a PDF version, click here.