Time is running out for this great opportunity Wednesday, January 31, 2018 CCTG is launching the New-Investigator Cancer Trials Practicum to provide better engagement and training of new investigators with practical work in the field to allow for succession planning of top cancer trialists. The purpose of the CCTG New-Investigator Cancer Trials Practicum is to deliver a training program that includes practical trial experience at cancer sites throughout Canada over a one-year period. The pilot will be the first of its kind in Canada and will enable the best and brightest new Canadian oncology researchers to acquire training and experience. At the culmination of training, researchers will receive the Cancer Trials Investigator Certificate as proof of their expertise. The Certificate program will contain two components: A 12-month curriculum including observer-ships at CCTG disease site committee meetings and other key CCTG scientific committees; opportunity to receive teaching and mentorship through the CCTG Operations and Statistic Centre on practical aspects of clinical trial conduct not readily available at other courses; Direct clinical trial mentorship at the site through involvement in a CCTG clinical trial. Eligible Applicants Ideally, applicants will have completed their oncology (medical, radiation and surgical) or hematology specialist training and be within two years of their first faculty position (fellows transitioning into faculty at that site will be eligible). The new investigator must be a qualified, registered investigator with the expectation of enrollment of patients from his/ her practice. S/he will have an experienced investigator mentor at the site and the site must be participating in, or agree to activate, one of the selected CCTG clinical trials. The new investigator may serve as local Qualified Investigator with the mentor. The centre representative must confirm site support for the applicant. Non-hematologists or oncologists and those beyond 2 years of their first faculty appointment who are interested in participating in this program may also apply after preliminary discussion with Dr. Bradbury. Eligible Site Mentors Eligible sites mentors are CCTG investigators in good standing, with experience in leading or participating in cancer clinical trials who agree to guide the applicant on trial activities through the duration of the practicum. Description of the Practicum New Investigator will be mentored in the following areas: Interpretation of preclinical efficacy and toxicity data ICH guidelines for preclinical drug testing Designing and running clinical trials Protocol and forms development Reviewing and analyzing the data Approval and oversight of clinical trials Guidelines regarding investigator responsibilities Selecting and developing drugs - industry perspective In addition, the young investigator will have the following opportunities over the 12-month practicum: Attendance at the annual spring meeting and fall Investigational New Drugs meeting in Toronto; Participation in an orientation meeting at the Operations and Statistical Centre in Kingston; Participation in a site monitoring visit (average of two nights accommodation and transportation); Participation in trial and scientific committee conference calls and webexes; Participation in at least one meeting of the CCTG Data Safety and Monitoring Committee and CCTG Clinical Trials Committee. Application Each applicant will provide the following: A covering letter containing the following elements: Brief biography including education, research experience and clinical trial experience; Reason for interest in the practicum; Trial and scientific committee of interest to participate in activities over the 12 months; Name of mentor. Applicant Curriculum vitae Letter from site mentor containing the following elements: Brief biography; Confirmation of interest, ability and availability to meet the applicant and mentor them in the areas outlined in the practicum. Letter from the CCTG centre representative confirming support for the applicant and practicum activities. The 12-month certificate program will commence at the New Investigator meeting at the CCTG annual meeting in the spring of 2018. The new investigators that complete all the assigned components and receive satisfactory feedback from mentors will receive the CCTG certificate at the plenary session following CCTG annual spring meeting. Funding will be provided to cover transportation/accommodation for applicants related to the practicum activities. Interested applicants should submit a letters and current curriculum vitae by email: Penelope Bradbury, MD, CCTG Practicum Educational Leader, Penelope.Bradbury@uhn.ca Janet Dancey, MD, FRCPC, Director, Canadian Cancer Trials Group, jdancey@ctg.queensu.ca Deadlines for applications should be received by February 12, 2018. Applications will be reviewed by the CCTG Education Committee and successful applicants (up to 5) will be notified by March 1, 2018.
