​Fellowship Opportunities

The Forensic Anthropology Fellowship Program is a 12-month training program designed to expose an emerging physical anthropologist to the role of the forensic anthropologist in a medical examiner’s office that serves a large urban population. During the program, the fellow will participate in casework, attend and process death scenes, process unidentified decedents and conduct a research project. In addition, the fellow will be introduced to an extensive quality system required for forensic analysis.

The fellow works alongside three staff forensic anthropologists who are involved in the instruction and supervision of the fellow.

Program Requirement:

Stipend:

Application Process:

1. Complete the Harris County Application For Employment
2. Submit one application to Harris County using one of the methods outlined on their website
3. Submit one copy of your application along with a copy of your curriculum vitae (CV), unofficial transcript(s), and cover letter to the Institute by postal mail or email:

Attn: Jason Wiersema, Ph.D.
Director of Forensic Anthropology and
Emergency Management
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
1861 Old Spanish Trail
Houston, Texas 77054
E-mail:  jason.wiersema@ifs.hctx.net

For more information, contact:
Jason Wiersema, Ph.D.
Director of Forensic Anthropology and
Emergency Management
Phone: (832) 927-5000
E-mail:  jason.wiersema@ifs.hctx.net

The intensive 12-month course of study for the Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program is focused on the data acquisition and documentation processes from medical and non-medical sources with particular emphasis placed on the correlation of scene observations (forensic investigation) with autopsy and forensic toxicological findings. In addition, fellows perform rotations in the Forensic Toxicology and Drug Chemistry laboratories as well as the Forensic Investigations Department, Firearms Identification Laboratory, and the Forensic Genetics Laboratory.

Forensic Pathology Fellows actively participate in casework as they work alongside supervising pathologists who are involved in the instruction and supervision of fellows including the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Assistant Medical Examiners, and a board-certitified Neuropathologist. 

The Institute of Forensic Sciences also employs a team of forensic anthropologists and a forensic entomologist. The Institute has additional consultants with specialties in cardiovascular pathology, ophthalmology, forensic odontology, and pediatric pathology. Access to other specialties is available as part of the Institute’s membership in the Texas Medical Center – the largest medical center in the world with one of the highest densities of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research.

Program Requirements:

Applicants must be board certified or eligible in AP or AP/CP and have a Texas medical license. Board-eligible applicants may apply for a training permit from the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. Residents pursuing an AP-FP track, and already enrolled in an ACGME-approved residency program, will also be considered.

Stipend:

Salary and benefits package is very competitive.

Application Process:

1. Complete the Harris County Application For Employment.*
2. Submit one application to Harris County using one of the methods outlined on their website.
3. Submit one copy of the application along with three distinct letters of recommendation to the Institute by mail:

Attn: Pathology Administrative Coordinator
Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
1861 Old Spanish Trail
Houston, Texas 77054

The Forensic Toxicology Fellowship Program is a rigorous two-year program for the classically-trained academic scientist. Upon completion of the program, fellows will be familiar with toxicology laboratory methods and interpretation. Methods include immunoassay screening, sample preparation, liquid and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and interpretation of toxicological findings in postmortem, DWI, and drug-facilitated sexual assault cases. Fellows will be trained in the development and validation of analytical procedures to current forensic quality assurance standards. In addition, fellows will be exposed to quality management systems and expert witness testimony. 

Fellows developing new technologies are encouraged to publish validated methods in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.  In addition, fellows are encouraged to further the research goals of the Institute by applying for competitive grants.

Program Requirements:

Stipend:

Salary and benefits package is very competitive.

Application Process:

Submit a Harris County Application For Employment* for the Forensic Toxicology Fellow position.

*Fellow candidates are encouraged to apply six months prior to the start of the intended fellowship year.

For more information, contact:
Teresa Gray, Ph.D., Chief Toxicologist
E-mail: teresa.gray@ifs.hctx.net