Health Disparities Postdoctoral Fellowship

The program is intended to address not only basic, clinical, or behavioral research related to health disparate populations and the medically underserved, but also strives to train a diverse group of scientists who engage in such research.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work as postdoctoral fellows for up to three years in NHGRI Intramural research laboratories engaged in a wide variety of genetic and genomic research. In addition, through their faculty mentor, they will have access to NHGRI's outstanding core facilities and the unparalleled resources of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center.

Read about two recent NHGRI fellows: Health disparities research program life-changing for postdoctoral fellows

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent degree in biomedical, clinical or behavioral research. They also must have no more than two years of relevant research experience since earning their degree.

Stipend

The stipend varies with level of experience. Current Postdoctoral Fellow Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) stipends can be found at Postdoctoral IRTA and Visiting Fellow Stipend Ranges [oma.od.nih.gov]. Awards are granted for an initial 12-month period, with renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance. Health insurance is provided for fellows and their immediate family members.

Benefits and Opportunities

• Fellows will have access to comprehensive career and professional development courses and individualized mentoring offered through the NHGRI Intramural Training Office and the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education.
• Fellows will receive funding to travel to at least one scientific meeting per year that is relevant to their area of research.
• To demonstrate their commitment to a career in health disparities research, fellows will also be encouraged to participate in at least one outreach activity during each year of the fellowship. Outreach opportunities exist within the NHGRI Education and Community Involvement Branch, as well as within the NHGRI Intramural Training Office.

To apply, please email the following to the NHGRI Intramural Training Office [nhgritraining@mail.nih.gov]:

• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• A cover letter that describes the applicant's research interests in genetics and genomics as applied to health disparities research. This should include a personal statement of long-term career goals demonstrating the applicant's commitment to pursuing a career in health disparities research.
• The cover letter must also include the names of three to six NHGRI Investigators (Research Investigators) whom the applicant would be interested in working with during their postdoctoral fellowship.
• The names and contact information of three referees who will provide letters evaluating the applicant's career potential in biomedical research. The applicant is responsible for requesting that the referees email their letters to the NHGRI Intramural Training Office[nhgritraining@mail.nih.gov]

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis up to the application deadline of July 30, 2016. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

NHGRI encourages applications from individuals who come from groups traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering careers. Underrepresented groups in biomedical research include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and individuals with disabilities (See Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering).

The NHGRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Selection Committee will review applications that meet the eligibility criteria. Selected candidates will be invited to NHGRI for interviews with NHGRI Investigators who are currently recruiting postdoctoral fellows and are appropriate to the candidate's area of interest.

Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon identification of an appropriate research laboratory, concurrence of the proposed faculty mentor, and approval by the NHGRI Scientific Director.