Our two-year emergency medicine research fellowship is certified by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) to train physicians to become independent investigators and nationally recognized leaders in emergency medicine research, capable of conducting externally funded clinical or health services research.
By choosing the postgraduate research training program at UW, fellows have the opportunity to participate in a mentored research training program complete with didactic and experiential learning and supported by a dedicated team of researchers and staff.
You will acquire the core research skills necessary to prepare you for a successful career as an independent physician scientist, including grant and manuscript preparation, research conduct, relationship development and collaboration, and research ethics.
At the end of the program, fellows will have completed a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) degree and will be well-prepared to obtain a federal career development award.
Academic Requirements for Successful Completion
- Complete an advanced research degree (unless already obtained)
- Complete two research studies, including IRB application, data collection, data analysis, and publication
- Participate significantly in the resident research curriculum, including delivering short lectures and hosting journal clubs
- Contribute to coordination efforts for the annual Wisconsin Emergency Medicine Research Forum held for regional healthcare professionals and learners in our specialty each spring
The emergency medicine research fellowship at UW-Madison meets program guidelines established by SAEM in regards to milestones in curricular elements, faculty support recommendations, and career development opportunities that ensure the fellow will receive exceptional training and mentorship as junior faculty.
Compensation & Benefits
Our total rewards and employee services packages go beyond traditional benefits to help you balance your work and life needs. Packages include comprehensive health and supplemental benefits, a competitive salary, travel funds, and support to pursue education. Learn more about GME Compensation and Benefits 
Program Details
Advanced Degree: Yes
Accreditation: SAEM
Available Positions: 1-2
Program Length: 2 years
Start Date: July 1, 2026
NRMP Match: No
Appointment: Clinical Instructor
Moonlighting: Available
Your path to discovery starts here
The University of Wisconsin Means Excellence in Research
Fellows join a storied institution internationally recognized for its vast research enterprise, collaborative culture, and myriad resources available to physician scientists:
World-leading research institution
Fellows benefit from the depth and breadth of UW–Madison’s world-class research enterprise. Ranked 28th globally by the Center for World University Rankings (2024) out of nearly 21,000 institutions, UW–Madison is a research powerhouse with annual expenditures exceeding $1.7 billion — placing it sixth in the nation among universities for research volume. Roughly half of that funding comes from federal awards.
The UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) builds on this strength with active programs in basic, clinical, and public health sciences. In 2023–24, SMPH received $622 million in research funding, accounting for 37% of all UW–Madison grants, and consistently ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s top medical schools for both primary care and research.
Within this ecosystem, the Department of Emergency Medicine stands as a leader in our specialty. Fellows have the opportunity to collaborate directly with nationally recognized and award-winning researchers who are advancing the science of emergency care.
Robust research study coordination resources
The Department of Emergency Medicine operates a cutting-edge Emergency Department Research Coordination (EDRC) service that embeds highly trained staff in the emergency department to screen, consent, and enroll patients and carry out research protocols in real time.
The EDRC Program supports studies funded by federal, foundation, and industry sponsors and collaborates with investigators across UW–Madison’s schools, colleges, and departments. Projects extend well beyond emergency medicine and welcome a wide range of research topics and funding sources.
Collaborative research environment
Based at one of the nation’s leading public universities, the Emergency Medicine Research Fellowship leverages the extensive resources and collaborative spirit of the UW–Madison campus. Fellows benefit from close partnerships across disciplines, including Medicine, Family Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Nursing, and more.
Emergency Medicine also contributes to cross-campus research enterprises, such as the Office of Social Health Sciences and Programs, Center for Health Disparities Research, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.
This highly connected environment supports fellows as they develop into independent investigators capable of using diverse research methodologies to advance emergency care and translational science.
Remarkable clinical care
At UW, fellows become part of a nationally recognized network of hospitals and clinics led by expert clinicians and researchers at the forefront of their fields.
UW Health Hospitals — including University Hospital on the UW–Madison campus and East Madison Hospital — are consistently ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin by U.S. News & World Report. University Hospital is among a select few medical centers nationwide verified by the American College of Surgeons as both an Adult and Pediatric Level I Trauma Center and by the American Burn Association as a verified Burn Center, all within one facility.
As regional referral centers, UW Health and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health serve a diverse patient population across five states. Fellows gain exposure to a broad spectrum of clinical presentations and subspecialties in emergency medicine — ideal for developing well-rounded research and clinical expertise.
Fellowship Director
Michael Pulia, MD, PhD
Associate Professor (Tenure)
Director, Emergency Care for Infectious Diseases Research Program
Dr. Pulia leads the Emergency Care for Infectious Diseases (EC-ID) health services research program, which focuses on improving the diagnosis, management, and prevention of infectious diseases in the emergency department and downstream care settings, with an emphasis on systems engineering guided interventions and learning health systems. His work aimed at reducing diagnostic error and improving antibiotic stewardship has been supported with funding from both intra- and extramural sources, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Wisconsin Partnership Program.
Dr. Pulia is a regularly invited speaker at national and international conferences, including the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, IDWeek, and the International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. Dr. Pulia has over 80 publications, including invited editorials in high-impact journals such as Pediatrics, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, and Annals of Emergency Medicine.
In 2022, Dr. Pulia was named a National Academy of Medicine/John A. Hartford Foundation Scholar in Diagnostic Excellence for his work aimed at improving diagnosis of pneumonia in older adults. He is also Co-Director of the KL2 Scholars Program at UW–Madison, which supports early-career investigators to become independent researchers through dedicated mentorship and protected time.
How to Apply
Application Process: Please email your CV and a personal statement outlining your research interests and career goals to the Fellowship Director at mspulia@medicine.wisc.edu. Letters of reference will be requested at a later stage in the process.
Candidates must have graduated in good standing from an ACGME-accredited emergency medicine residency program and must be board-certified or board-eligible in emergency medicine.