Training and Working at the National Institutes of Health

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

2. 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 www.nih.gov

3. Core Components of the NIH Mission • Research • Communication • Training

4. 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 www.irp.nih.gov

5. Intramural Research Training Opportunities www.training.nih.gov

6. The OITE (www.training.nih.gov) • 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. NIH Administrative Fellowship Programs • Federal Agencies including NIH • Presidential Management Program; http://www.pmf.gov • AAAS Science and Technology Fellowship; http://fellowships.aaas.org • HHS Emerging Leaders Program; http://hhsu.learning.hhs.gov/elp)/ • Pathways; http://www.jobs.nih.gov/vacancies/student/internship.htm ) • NIH Institute-sponsored programs • NCI Health Communications (https://hcip.nci.nih.gov/hcip/) • NIH OTT Internships (http://www.ott.nih.gov/training/training.aspx)

14. 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.

15. 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

16. Finding Jobs • Jobs@NIH website (http://www.jobs.nih.gov/) • NIH jobs at and away from the bench • OITE Jobs Board • USAJOBS (https://www.usajobs.gov/ ): The official job site of the US Federal Government • Contractor websites • Juju (http://www.job-search-engine.com/; keyword = NIH contractor) • Websites for Kelly Scientific, Lockheed Martin, Leidos, Discovery Logic, etc.

17. Keep In Touch • Connect with me on Linked-In • Watch our MANY career workshops on-line and read our career blog at www.training.nih.gov • Email me anytime! milgrams@od.nih.gov