Overview

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the Geisel School of Medicine and the Dartmouth Cancer Center seek to recruit outstanding physician scientists who will advance our Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, either through their lived experience or through their academic work for the Couch Family Inclusive Excellence Faculty Program.

The Couch Family Inclusive Excellence Faculty Program was endowed in 2022 by generous and committed donors Richard W. and Barbara J. Couch for the express purpose of supporting early career physician-scientists working in cancer research at the Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC). The Couch Faculty Program is designed to help recruit faculty who will advance DCC’s commitment to diversity by providing 40% protected time for research to accelerate their careers in cancer science. The planned outcome of the Program is to prepare diverse groups of clinicians, including those from groups Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM), for careers in cancer research and clinical leadership.

Couch Faculty success will be measured by independent external funding, associated publications, and growth into leadership positions. Couch Faculty are expected to demonstrate movement toward independent external research funding in cancer. Faculty will cycle out of Couch funding as they attain independent external research funding, or after four years, whichever occurs first.

There are five key aspects and associated milestones of the Couch Inclusive Excellence Faculty Program experience:

• 40% protected time to enable cancer research 
• Regular communication with a designated Science Mentor
• Participation in clinical trials as appropriate
• Publication of research results
• Attaining independent external funding for a research project or training grant

Expectations:

• Adhere to applying 0.40 FTE to cancer-focused research activities
• Meet monthly with a scientific mentor
• Participate in relevant cohort training activities
• Submit quarterly updates on research activity and progress
• Participate as a DCC representative, as requested, in community and fundraising activities

Successful candidates will become full-time Dartmouth Health-employed clinical faculty at the appropriate level working in laboratory, clinical, or population-based cancer research. Couch Family Inclusive Excellence Faculty search will be kept open until the program is filled.

For more information, please reach out to:

Tonya.Mathis@dartmouth.edu

Required Licensure/Certifications

• An M.D., or equivalent degree from an accredited institution with appropriate clinical training and experience
• Board certification in a cancer-relevant clinical specialty
• Eligibility for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center staff privileges required