Training and Working at the National Institutes of Health Dr. Sharon L. Milgram, Director NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education

The National Institutes of Health “The Nation’s biomedical research institution”  An Agency of the Department of Health and Human Services  Main campus in Bethesda MD; other campuses in MD, NC, MI, and MT  Two major divisions – extramural and intramural

Core Components of the NIH Mission Research Communication Training

The Intramural Research Program  Major research enterprise in 24 Institutes and Centers  Campuses in MD, NC, MT, MI, MA, AZ  Basic, translational and clinical research  Very broad STEM disciplines representation  Houses the NIH Clinical Center, a hospital dedicated exclusively to biomedical research

Intramural Research Training Opportunities

The OITE (  A trans-NIH resource to help our trainees develop scientific and professional skills  Home of the NIH Science Career Services Center  We share educational and training resources with colleagues in the extramural community  Many workshops available by videocast and podcast  Science Career Blog  Jobs board and job search resources  Visit campuses for professional and career development workshops  Arrange NIH visits for classes and student groups  NIH Intramural Science Linked-In Group

NIH Intramural Summer Internship Program (SIP) Eight+ week research experience at all levels  High School  College (including the CCSEP)  Medical/Dental  Graduate (MS, MPH, PhD, PharmD, PsyD, etc) Opportunities on all NIH campuses; paid and volunteer opportunities available Many workshops, journal clubs, and educational opportunities Science Skills Boot Camp for first-time researchers Pre-graduate/pre-professional and career advising End-of-summer poster session

NIH Intramural Postbac Programs Paid internships in an NIH intramural research group  Across many disciplines  One or two years Can work on any NIH campus Extensive educational programming and career advising leading to graduate and professional school All NIH postbacs are eligible to participate in the NIH Academy Health Disparities Training Program

The Intramural Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) Provides up to $20,000/yr to cover educational expenses for undergraduates who meet specific eligibility criteria:  U.S. citizen or permanent resident  GPA ≥ 3.3  Extreme financial need  Major in a field relevant to biomedical research All UGSP Scholars  Participate in SIP each year following the scholarship year  Are required to work in the NIH IRP for one year total in return for each scholarship year

Intramural Graduate Partnership Program  Allows Ph.D. and combined degree students to do all or part of their dissertation research in the NIH IRP  Open to US citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals  Many workshops and educational programs including new Translational Medicine Training Program  Students can apply through one of two pathways:  Individual agreement pathway  Institutional agreement pathway

NIH Medical Research Scholars Program A comprehensive, year-long research enrichment program for medical, dental and veterinary students A mentored basic, clinical, or translational project in an area that matches students’ research interests and career goals Opportunities include:  Lecture series focused on translational science  Instruction on clinical protocol development  Participation in clinical teaching rounds in the Clinical Center

NIH Postdoc Basics Eligibility: < 5 years of relevant research experience since receipt of the doctoral degree Appointment for up to 5 years; may be promoted to Research Fellow for up to 3 additional years International postdocs are funded as Postdoc-Visiting Fellows and come to NIH on the J1 visa program First year stipend: ~$45,000 - $50,400 $10,000 supplements for some specialties (chemistry, engineering, math) Health insurance provided: individual or family

NIH Administrative Fellowship Programs  Federal Agencies including NIH  Presidential Management Program;  AAAS Science and Technology Fellowship;  HHS Emerging Leaders Program;  Pathways; )  NIH Institute-sponsored programs  NCI Health Communications (  NIH OTT Internships (

Want a Job at NIH? In intramural research  Basic, translational and clinical  Staff Scientists, Staff Clinical and Assistant Clinical Investigators  Tenure-track investigators – IC-specific and trans-NIH Stadtman Search  In extramural review  Scientific Review (for IC or CSR)  Program officer and program staff  In policy, administration, communications, outreach, tech transfer, etc.

Federal Hiring Mechanisms Title 5 positions (General Schedule)  Classification/compensation system for white collar Federal jobs  Federal benefits and retirement  Requires US citizenship Title 42 positions (Administratively Determined)  Many science positions and clinical research support positions  Federal benefits and retirement  No citizenship requirement Contract positions  Using a wide range of companies  Citizenship requirement varies  Not eligible for Federal benefits or retirement

Finding Jobs website (  NIH jobs at and away from the bench  OITE Jobs Board USAJOBS ( ): The official job site of the US Federal Governmenthttps:// Contractor websites  Juju ( keyword = NIH contractor)  Websites for Kelly Scientific, Lockheed Martin, Leidos, Discovery Logic, etc.

Keep In Touch Connect with me on Linked-In Watch our MANY career workshops on-line and read our career blog at me anytime!