The National Academies administer Postdoctoral Research Awards through the Research Associateship Programs of the National Research Council (NRC). Over 100 federal laboratories including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) sponsor these programs. NRC NIH (NIBIB)/NIST Associateships provide postdoctoral scientists and engineers of unusual promise the opportunity to conduct research on problems largely of their own choice that are compatible with the interests of sponsoring laboratories. The goal of the program is to cultivate a scientific work force competent in both the biological and the physical sciences. Research opportunities will emphasize interdisciplinary research at the interface of the biological and physical sciences including, but not limited to, structural and computational biology, medical and bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, tissue engineering, single molecule detection, nanotechnology, and imaging techniques. Each Postdoctoral Associate will have two mentors, one at the NIH and one at NIST, and the Associate is expected to spend time at both the NIH and the NIST laboratories during the course of the two-year award. The NIH laboratories are located in Bethesda, Rockville, Frederick, and Baltimore, in Maryland; and in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The NIST laboratories are in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and in Boulder, Colorado.

Candidates for Postdoctoral Associateships must have less than five years of relevant research experience since receipt of their doctoral degree; Senior Associates will have more than five years of relevant experience since receipt of their doctoral degree. The competition is open to both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens.

Awards are granted for an initial 12-month period and may be renewed for up to five years, based on satisfactory performance and the continued availability of funds.

For a more detailed description of NRC Research Associateship Programs, visit the National Academies Web site.

Stipend and benefits

The stipends for Postdoctoral Associates are adjusted yearly, with supplements for prior experience, multiple degrees, and expertise in areas of current interest to the NIH such as computer science, mathematics, physics, epidemiology, biostatistics, engineering, pharmacokinetics, chemistry, bioinformatics, and structural biology (current stipend information is available here). Benefits include health insurance for the trainee and his/her family, and limited professional travel.

Application procedures

Prospective candidates should apply electronically via the Internet. The electronic application requires submission of a curriculum vitae, research proposal, and the names and contact information for four references. Prior to applying, candidates must contact laboratories in which they would like to work (for a list of research opportunities, go here) and establish that their proposed project is of interest to the lab leader. Individuals who do not have access to the Internet are encouraged to visit a local library. To apply, visit the NRC WebRAP site.

Questions about the Joint NIH (NIBIB)/NIST Program? Find answers here.