Dr. Addisu Mesfin is seeking an ambitious U.S. medical student interested in a year-long clinical research fellowship between their third and fourth years of medical school. This full-time, in-person, paid position takes place at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C., affiliated with Georgetown University School of Medicine. This unique position allows the research assistant to work closely with attendings, residents, and faculty at Georgetown University, gaining valuable clinical and academic experience in orthopedic surgery. The research fellow will have opportunities to assist attending physicians in completing research projects, publishing findings, and presenting their work at conferences. Clinical opportunities, including participating in the clinic and the OR, will be available. Research will primarily focus on Spine Surgery, but opportunities to collaborate with other subspecialties are available. The accepted student would join our team, which includes a dedicated research coordinator, a medical editor, and a biostatistician.
Duration: 1 Year
Location: MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.
Start Date: May 2026
Prerequisites
- Ability to start on campus by start date
- Successful completion of the third year of medical school by start date
- Completed Step 2 by start date
- Evident Interest in research and a strong academic record
- Must be able to work independently
- Must be highly organized and detail-oriented
- Must be able to collaborate with clinical staff and work effectively as part of a team
Responsibilities
- Coordinate research projects and interface with all collaborators
- Consenting patients for studies, and following up with patients postoperatively, either in person or by phone
- Familiarity with electronic medical record systems, including data entry and/or chart review
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol submission
- Drafting, editing, production, and submission of research abstracts and manuscripts to journals and conferences
- Attend and participate in the outpatient clinic, operating room, and grand rounds
Benefits
- Goal of 20+ papers, abstracts, and presentations accepted or in publication by the end of the research year
- Opportunities to present research at national Orthopaedic surgery conferences
- Enhance competitiveness in Orthopaedic surgery residency match
- Numerous opportunities to meet, collaborate, and network with several attendings, residents, and faculty
- Early and thorough clinical exposure, including observing procedures, conducting physical exams, and learning basic radiology
- Pay is competitive and is commiserate with your experience. The final offer package is determined by the MedStar Orthopaedic Institute team
- Dr. Mesfin fully expects his research fellows to match into Orthopaedic Surgery at one of their preferred residency programs. Mentorship for the application process and beyond is part of your time as a research fellow.
Interested applicants should email the following items to: [email protected]
1. Brief cover letter detailing your background and interest
2. CV with Step 1 and Step 2 scores
3. Current medical school transcript
4. One letter of recommendation
Application Deadline is April 2026
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Thank you for your interest in this position.
