Student Selection Procedures for SIMR, an ARC of the Open University

Stowers Institute for Medical Research is committed to providing high quality research training, and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability (including within the meaning of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act), military status or any other status protected by law. The Institute looks for talented and intelligent people of high integrity who exemplify the values of the Institute--that is, those who are sincere and dependable and who strive for excellence in all they do. We provide a work environment that respects the dignity of every individual and encourages collaboration, teamwork, creativity and innovation. Our founders, Jim and Virginia Stowers, envision creating one of the most innovative and effective medical research organizations in the world. This vision can only be achieved if we attract the very best people.

Decisions about offering a place are made on the basis of:

• Statement of research interest
• Existing or predicted qualifications and grades (individual projects may require a qualification in a specific subject area)
• Experience gained after degree qualifications
• At least three academic references
• Official transcripts
• copies of GREs and TOEFL score reports if available
• Interview
• A completed application form
• The student should hold a first class or 2 (i) class honours bachelor degree, or equivalent in a relevant subject, a relevant master's qualification or equivalent, or extensive independent laboratory research experience.
• Final acceptance will require a Letter of support from Stowers Faculty Member

Email may be directed to the attention of Leanne Wiedemann (LMW at stowers.org)

Mail to:

Leanne Wiedemann, PhD
Research Degree Coordinator
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
An Affiliated Research Centre of the Open University
1000 50th St
Kansas City, MO 64110

tel: +1-816-926-4052

Student registered through the Stowers Institute for Medical Research as an Affiliated Research Centre of the Open University, United Kingdom

Registration through the Open University will normally be offered to students with an educational background in the United Kingdom with at least a class 2 (i) honours bachelor degree, or its equivalent in a relevant subject, a relevant master's qualification or equivalent, or extensive independent laboratory research experience. Students with qualifications from outside the United Kingdom may be considered for Open University registration.  Through the Open University, we consult with the NARIC (The National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) (http://www.naric.org.uk/ ) which compares overseas students' qualifications to those of the UK. In addition, students who have already acquired advanced and specialized knowledge or experience in their field of study and are ready to directly begin lab based research will be considered.  Students will be expected to have a sufficient level of English language competence.  Applicants for whom English is a second language may be required to provide evidence of English language competency based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), administered by Educational Testing Services, Inc.

It is important to stress that the Ph.D. degree is expected to be completed prior to the 4th anniversary (for an M.Phil, 3rd anniversary) of enrollment in this programme. This programme is ideal for a student who has already acquired the advanced and specialized knowledge in a field of study and is ready to directly begin lab based research. Students will be assessed with respect to their training needs, including generic skills training, subject training, and project specific training.  Their progress in acquiring these skills and training will be monitored by the Student’s Advisory Committee (see Ph.D. Student Research Degree Requirements).

The Stowers Institute will normally reimburse reasonable travel expenditure up to a maximum of $2000 of relocation expenses for an overseas student’s move to the US once a position has been offered.

Admissions Procedure:

Only students interested in full time registration with an end goal of obtaining a PhD are considered for the graduate program at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.  The entrance requirements are very competitive.  

1. All student applications will be screened by the Research Degree Coordinator in consultation with the Scientific Director and with the advice of the Vice President for Administration prior to interview to ensure applicants meet or will be able to meet the required standards of the Stowers Institute and the Open University.
2. All applicants must be interviewed by potential Supervisor(s), the Research Degree Coordinator and/or members of the Graduate Programme Coordinating Committee and the Vice-President of Administration. This is preferred to be in face to face interviews, but may take the form of a series of telephone interviews if that is not possible.

Prior to Acceptance:

1. Students who qualify may approach an individual Principle Investigator of the Institute, who must support the student to this programme.
2. The ability of a PI to supervise a student must first be vetted according to the Institute’s procedure for approval of any research position.  Vetting will cover academic and supervisory arrangements (Research Degree Coordinator) and financial support (Senior Director of Research Operations, Tim Geary) for the duration of the project.
3. An offer letter  will be sent to the candidate by Administration on behalf of the Graduate Programme Coordinating Committee. All offers are subject to the prospective student’s acceptance of the conditions of the letter of appointment and, where appropriate, the award of a degree with the required classification.
4. Registration with the Open University  with the support of the Research Degree Coordinator (see Registration with the Open University).