Intramural Training Opportunities at the NIH

Patricia M. Sokolove, PhD Deputy Director, OITE, NIH [email protected]

The NIH Intramural Research Program

The Nation

’

s Biomedical Research Institution

    27 Institutes &Centers (ICs); with intramural research in 24 Basic, translational, and clinical research Campuses in MD, NC, MT, AZ, MI, and MA Training programs for students and fellows at all levels

Trans-NIH Training Opportunities

The OITE ( https://www.training.nih.gov

)

 A trans-NIH resource to help trainees develop scientific and professional skills   Home of the NIH Science Career Services Center A source of educational and training resources for the extramural community  Workshops available by videocast and podcast  Science Careers Blog ( https://oitecareersblog.wordpress.com/ )  Jobs board and job search resources  Campus visits for professional and career development workshops  NIH visits for classes and student groups  “NIH Intramural Science” LinkedIn Group

NIH Intramural Summer Internship Program

     Eight to ten week, full-time research experience     High school College (including community college) Medical/Dental Graduate (MS, MPH, PhD, PsyD, etc)  Professional (MD, Dental, DVM, PharmD) Opportunities on all NIH campuses, paid and volunteer Workshops, journal clubs, and educational opportunities Access to pre-graduate/pre-professional advising and career counseling End-of-summer poster session

NIH Intramural Postbac Programs

      Paid internships in NIH intramural research groups  Across many disciplines  One to three years Two programs:  Within two years of graduation: Postbac IRTA Program  After two years: Technical IRTA Program Access to the NIH Academy, a health disparities training program Workshops, journal clubs, and educational opportunities Access to pre-graduate/pre-professional advising and career counseling End-of-year poster session

The Selection Process

(SIP and Postbac Program) * Key resources: the application videos and the FAQs   Students apply online.

NIH Investigators (PIs) choose their own trainees.

 Typically search online applications by keyword, major, undergraduate institution, preferred IC  Some gate with a minimum GPA  Contact with PIs is critical.

  Search NIH ANNUAL REPORTS by keyword Send science-focused personalized emails (NED)   Interviews are by phone or in person.

Offers can be made anytime.

 Most summer interns start in May or June.

 Most postbacs start in June or July.

The Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)

 Benefits: provides up to $20,000/year to cover educational expenses for undergraduates  Eligibility:     U.S. citizen or permanent resident GPA ≥ 3.3

Extreme financial need Major in a field relevant to biomedical research  Payback: all UGSP scholars   Participate in SIP the year following the scholarship year.

Must work in the NIH IRP for one year in return for each scholarship year.

UGSP Application Details

 Applications are submitted online at https://www.training.nih.gov

.   Application differs substantially from SIP and postbac applications.

For consideration, the student ’s financial aid office must verify financial need before the application deadline.

 A central committee screens completed applications, interviews finalists by phone, and selects scholars.

 Scholars visit NIH for lab placement and interviews with NIH PIs.

Graduate Partnership Program

   Allows Ph.D. and combined degree students to do all or part of their dissertation research in the NIH IRP Offers workshops and educational programs including  Translational Medicine Training Program    Biol 262: Research Tools for Studying Diseases The GPP Research Symposium The GPP Retreat Accepts applications through one of two pathways:   Individual agreement pathway Institutional agreement pathway

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   Appointed as Visiting Fellows Come to NIH on the J1 visa program First year stipend: $44,450 - $50,900 $10,000 supplements for some specialties (chemistry, engineering, math) Health insurance provided: individual or family

Assumptions Underlying Our Efforts

      Trainees must know and use resources Implicit rules and expectations must be made explicit.

Trainees need excellent mentorship inside and outside of the research environment.

Students must develop self-awareness.

Career planning and skills development should begin early.

Support services, including mental health counseling, must be available and widely known.  Mentor training can have a big impact.

Finding Quality Mentorship

    “ One size does not fit all ” in research training.

Focus on science first, but attend to more than just the science Pay attention to the research and training environment.

 Types of collaborations available, level of independence, management style, PI availability for support and guidance, training resources within the group, encouragement for training outside of the group, etc.

 Outcomes for previous fellows  Opinions of current and previous group members Read guidelines for finding mentors at https://www.training.nih.gov/mentoring_guidelines .

Skills All Scientists Need

    Technical Problem solving Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research Communication  Verbal and written  Technical and non-technical   Team Science The Managements: Project, people, self,   relationships, money, time, stress Leadership Teaching & Mentoring

What Does the OITE Offer?

          Orientations Written communication courses Oral communication workshops English language and American culture workshops Grant writing workshops Scientists Teaching Science program Career Advancement Toolkit (CAT) Tracks Going to Graduate/Professional School Series Leadership training, a management boot camp, and interpersonal skills development Access to the Career Services Center

What Does the OITE Offer?

II

Major events including

      Annual NIH Career Symposium International Opportunities EXPO Graduate & Professional School Fair Summer and Postbac Poster Days Graduate Student Research Symposium FARE competition

Why NIH?

 A collaborative and interactive community focused on:    doing and supporting outstanding research - in all areas.

science education/training - at all levels.

global health partnerships – in many scientific disciplines.

 We have:  outstanding resources - for science and for training.

  opportunities for training and career advancement - at NIH and beyond.

access to the rich and diverse culture of the Metro DC area.

Useful Web Sites

        www.nih.gov

for main NIH web site and links to IC Web pages For more on the IRP: www.irp.nih.gov

Training at NIH (OITE): https://www.training.nih.gov

Clinical Research Opportunities (OCRTME): http://www.cc.nih.gov/training/index.html

Videocasts and other online resources: https://www.training.nih.gov/nih_resources NIH Annual Reports: http://intramural.nih.gov/search NIH Enterprise Directory (NED): http://ned.nih.gov

Job opportunities at NIH and in the IRP: http://www.jobs.nih.gov/

 You (or your students) can reach me at [email protected]

.  See https://www.training.nih.gov

for information for training opportunities in the NIH IRP and to access our online career resources.