Person sitting at a wooden desk participating in a video conference on a monitor with four visible participants. The desk has a laptop displaying text, a coffee mug, headphones, a plant in a terracotta pot, and a desk lamp. Sunlight streams through blinds in the background.

Mid-Career Research Leadership Development Program 

The Mid-Career Research Leadership Development Program supports the professional advancement of mid-career pediatric investigators. Designed by and for pediatric investigators, this program enhances skills and competencies in two critical areas: Leading a Research Group and Navigating Career Transitions. 

Program Details

The program runs over the course of one year, featuring six virtual sessions held every other month. Each session explores a specific sub-topic within one of the two core themes. Participants also complete 1-2 hours of pre-session reading or preparation using a flipped classroom model, enabling deeper, more engaging discussions during live sessions. 

Leading a Research Group

  • Leadership fundamentals
  • Team-building strategies
  • Managing interpersonal conflict
  • Motivational approaches 
  • Creating team missions and ground rules   
  • Leadership pathways in academia

Career Transitions

  • Promotion and advancement
  • Navigating the academic job search
  • Exploring non-traditional child health research careers
  • Transitioning to industry or new roles   
Person sitting at a desk in front of a laptop, wearing a light-colored sweater and glasses, with hands resting near the chin. The setting appears to be an office or workspace with a glass partition in the background.

The program is currently in its pilot year and will open interest from new participants in 2026. Participation is limited to four cohorts of 6-10 participants.

  • Self-identify as a mid-career researcher
  • Must be a current SPR member
  • SPR Emerging to Established (E2E) members are not eligible for this program. 

Interested in Participating?

If you’re interested in joining or have questions about the program, please contact SPR at info@societyforpediatricresearch.org