[FILLED] 2023-24 Johns Hopkins Orthopaedic Spine Research Fellowship

Dr. Hamid Hassanzadeh is inviting highly motivated medical students to apply for the 2023-2024 Spine Research Fellowship in the Department of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, National Capital Region.

Dr. Hassanzadeh has been mentoring students for over 10 years. Past mentees of Dr. Hassanzadeh include orthopaedic residents and attendings at multiple institutions.  This research fellowship is a paid, one-year position, with annual salary currently set at $36,000. 

This fellowship is aimed towards 3rd or 4th-year medical students interested in gaining Orthopaedic Surgery research experience through an immersive program at a top orthopaedic institution, although students participating in a post graduate research year are encouraged to apply as well.

Research fellows will be provided with a rich and well-rounded experience that we hope will have a long-lasting impact on their careers. During the year, you will work closely with not only Dr. Hassanzadeh, but other faculty in the Division of Spine Surgery as well. With a total of 3 research fellows in the department of spine surgery alone, and numerous research fellows in other divisions, there is ample opportunity for collaboration and exploration of other subspecialties.

Research areas and opportunities will include: 
• Single-institution retrospective studies: The spine surgery department has a well-maintained surgical registry including data on patient-reported outcomes which is used for retrospective cohort studies that are presented at national and international conferences. These projects focus on clinical outcomes following surgery for adult spine deformity and other spine disorders. • Secondary analysis of large trial data. Dr. Hassanzadeh has been a PI in numerous industry-sponsored clinical trials, and actively works to use the data collected in these trials to fuel new retrospective research projects.

• Multi-center national database research: As part of the Johns Hopkins Network, you will have ready access to several large national databases, such as NSQIP, NIS, and MarketScan. Johns Hopkins also provides access to several statistical packages that can be used to analyze such data. If interested, you will receive mentorship from previous research fellows on the statistical skills necessary to use these databases productively. Johns Hopkins also has departments dedicated to providing statistical analysis and support, among other services.

• Health economics research: The department has several faculty members with expertise in health economics and health policy within the orthopaedic field. Research fellows will be mentored through these projects if interested. • Dr. Hassanzadeh is an editor for the International Journal of Spine Surgery, as well as a reviewer for numerous other journals. If interested, you will have the opportunity to peer review articles with Dr. Hassanzadeh’s supervision and provide content for invited reviews, book chapters, and other work as needed

Research fellow responsibilities include: 
• Designing research hypotheses and performing literature reviews
• Drafting, submitting, and maintaining IRB proposals
• Collecting data and performing statistical analyses
• Writing and submitting publications

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins has weekly educational activities that you are encouraged to take part in. These include weekly grand rounds and monthly journal club. The spine surgery department also has its own weekly journal club, indications conference, and monthly research meetings. Finally, fellows have the opportunity to attend clinics and observe caring for a very unique patient population. 

Applicants are selected based on previous research experience, interpersonal and organizational skills, and an initial video interview. Research fellows typically begin soon after finishing MS3 year and are expected to work for one calendar year before resuming MS4 year and applying to residency, with exact dates to be set at the time of position acceptance.
Application materials: 
• Cover letter
• CV (including Step 1 and/or Step 2 scores)
• Letter of recommendation (optional) 

Interviews: anticipate interviews to be held in late March 

**Application materials should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with the subject line “Research Fellowship Application”

Please contact the email address above for any additional questions. 

Sincerely, 
Eric Solomon
Research Fellow
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Thank you to everyone who applied for the position - this position has been filled as of 3/17/2023.