Career Development

At each stage of your education, it is important to keep in mind "what's next," and how you will reach your goals. Your mentor(s) will be able to assist you in defining your future plans and how to achieve them. The primary responsibility, however, is yours. You may also be undecided about the best career path for you. Either way, there are users and materials to help.

Take advantage of the resources both within NICHD and across NIH to learn about career options, to refine your choices, to network with users inside and outside of NIH, and to build your portfolio of skills and abilities. This includes scientific expertise as well as associated professional skills, whether that is teaching, grant-writing, project management, or leadership opportunities. Attend presentations and panel discussions on various careers in the sciences.

The NICHD Office of Education has reference materials on careers. A collection of contact information for scientific and allied businesses in the private sector is available to consult. The office can also help you with job search strategies.

• Career Transition Awards

  • K22: NICHD Career Transition Award
    The K22 award for NICHD is open only to fellows in the intramural program of our institute. You must be a citizen or permanent resident in order to apply.
    There is one application receipt date annually, on October 1. You should consult with your mentor and the Office of Education about the best time in your postdoctoral career to apply.
    The office provides resources, workshops, and coaching to support you in the application process.
    Note that the announcement is set to expire following the October 1, 2008 competition.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-078.html
  • To learn about past recipients of the K22 award, go to:
    http://www.nichd.nih.gov/funding/position/career.cfm
  • K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence (PI) Award
    This award opportunity is open to postdoctoral fellows, both intramural and extramural, across all NIH institutes and research institutions in the country. There are three receipt dates annually in October, February, and June.
    http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-133.html

• Loan Repayment

  http://www.lrp.nih.gov/

• Virtual Career Center

  http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/index.html