The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics has been in existence since 1974. Since that time the program has graduated over 200 students with a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. Only Program faculty are allowed to have Genetics Graduate Program students affiliate with their lab. Once affiliated with a lab, eligible Genetics students are encouraged to apply for our NIH T32 training grant. The Program has been funded by a NIH T32 training grant since 1997, supporting over 125 students with tuition and stipends. If appointed to the T32, students will receive the NIH allowable stipend and at least 60% of their tuition and fees paid for.

Application Process

Questions regarding the faculty appointment process may be directed to the Genetics Graduate Program Office or the Chair of the Faculty Membership Committee, Dr. John Manak.

Application materials submitted to the Faculty Application workflow form are received by the Genetics Graduate Program Faculty Membership Committee. After review of the materials, the committee provides a recommendation to the Executive Committee whether or not the applicants material should be considered by the Program's Executive Committee. If the Executive Committee agrees the applicants research enriches the field of genetics and believes the applicant will make a good candidate to mentor genetics students, the materials will be sent to the program faculty for vote. If the program faculty approve to accept the applicant by a simple majority vote, the Program will forward all materials to the Dean of the Graduate College recommending the applicant be appointed to the Program. The Dean of the Graduate College has final say whether or not a faculty member will be appointed. Applicants will be notified of the Dean's decision and, if approved, be allowed to accept students into their lab.

All materials must be submitted to the Faculty Application workflow form. If the DEO prefers, they may send their letter of support to the Genetics Graduate Program Office instead of being uploaded to the workflow form.

Application Materials

Submit the following materials to the Faculty Application workflow form

1. A letter indicating the applicant’s interest in serving as a member of the Genetics faculty. The letter should:
   1. Express why your specific research interests are a good fit for the program.
   2. State how you will commitment to training prospective Genetics graduate students along with an indication of how you will ensure their progression to becoming an independent scientist.
   3. State what you hope to gain by joining the program, as well as your commitment in contributing to the program. Please review the list below of potential service assignments and indicate your first, second, and third choices.
2. A current collegiate CV.
3. A letter from the applicant’s Dept Head, formally stating support for the time required of the applicant for Genetics teaching/service, and a willingness to provide support for Genetics graduate students mentored by the applicant in the event of a funding lapse. When a faculty member commits to a graduate student, he/she assumes responsibility for covering the student’s stipend and tuition & fees during the dissertation research. (DEO/Dept. Head letters may be emailed to grad-genetics@uiowa.edu)
4. Three UI faculty references within the IDGP in Genetics Program who would be able to evaluate your research. A list of the Program faculty may be found on our website.