Physician-Scientist Resources Office of Research — Research Support & Development Home Research Office of Research Office of Research: Research Support & Development Office of Research: Research Support & Development > Guidance, Training & Resources Office of Research: Research Support & Development > Guidance, Training & Resources > Physician-Scientist Resources Becoming a Physician-Scientist Physician-scientists are physicians (MDs or DOs with or without additional degrees) who devote regular components of their professional effort to seeking new knowledge about health, disease or delivery of patient care through research. While all physicians receive training in medical science, physician-scientists are trained to conduct independent scientific investigations in the laboratory, clinic or other settings. A physician-scientist's in-depth clinical knowledge of human health and disease and scientific investigation and analysis skills make them uniquely resourceful. Physician-scientists are well prepared to: Detect new threats to human health Develop potential new therapies, treatments or means of prevention Communicate knowledgeably across disciplines Lead scientific teams or organizations Guide important policy decisions, such as drug approval AAMC Definition Tools & Support for Physician-Scientists Aspiring physician-scientists are supported through several programs by the School of Medicine Office of Research. Timeline of Funding and Training Opportunities An overview of funding sources, training programs, and typical research timelines throughout a physician-scientist’s career, emphasizing the critical K and R award stages. View the Timeline Comprehensive Guide for Hiring Physician-Scientists Department Chairs & Staff: Recruiting and hiring physician-scientists can be challenging. A comprehensive guide has been developed to support this process. For access, please contact the School of Medicine Research Development Unit. Contact Us Active Training Grants UC Irvine offers a wide range of training programs for aspiring physician-scientists, with contacts listed for program-specific inquiries. Explore Training Grants Visit our faculty support page for additional tools and support for physician-scientists. Go to Faculty Support Page A Community for Physician-Scientists to Learn, Grow & Thrive The UC Irvine Physician-Scientist Collective (PSC) is a platform and community for physician-scientists to learn, collaborate and advance their careers. We offer programs and events tailored to the needs of physician-scientists at different stages of their careers. These events occur throughout the academic year (September to June). Learn more about Physician-Scientist Collective Have Questions? For all inquiries, please contact the School of Medicine Research Development Unit. Contact Us