If Interested in Joining NIDDK
Identifying a Laboratory and Mentor/Principal Investigator
If you are interested in joining the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) as a Fellow, there are many opportunities to receive excellent training in a variety of research areas. The Division of Intramural Research at NIDDK has over 100 distinct research programs, the majority being located at the central campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. In addition, the Phoenix Epidemiology & Clinical Research Branch is located in Phoenix, Arizona. See below for detailed information about our NIDDK laboratories, scientists and their current projects (Annual Reports).
NIDDK Laboratories
NIDDK Scientists
Research Interests of NIDDK Investigators (by Scientific Discipline and Program Area)
Keyword Search of Annual Reports
(choose option 2 and select NIDDK from the pull-down menu).
Forwarding a Curriculum Vitae and Other Supporting Documents
After you have selected the laboratory(s) in which you are interested, send a Curriculum Vitae, list of publications and a statement of research interests whenever you send an e-mail regarding possible employment or fellowship training. This will speed up the evaluation of your application. Make sure that your CurriculumVitae contains all current education and work experience, as well as bibliographic information. Also, if you are a non-U.S. citizen, please state your country of citizenship and residence, and be sure to include accurate contact information (e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers).
Interviews
You will need to contact your prospective mentor/supervisor directly via e-mail or telephone to schedule an interview. In some cases, the interview may be conducted by telephone.
Preparing to Come to NIDDK
Documentation Checklist for Appointment
A number of documents will be needed to process your appointment package as a Fellow. For International Fellows, you will also have visa paperwork to submit to the Division of International Services (DIS). Below is a short list of important documents that you will need to provide:
- Official copy of graduate or medical school transcript.
- Letters of reference (2 or 3, depending on the type of position you will have) from senior scientists/clinicians, departmental chairmen, program directors or thesis advisor.
- Official copy of doctoral degree (if not in English, a copy translated into English).
- For Predoctoral Fellows only (i.e. Graduate Students) - verification from the university that you are in good standing as a student, are enrolled in a doctoral program, and that the school agrees to your participation as a Predoctoral Fellow.
Your Principal Investigator (PI) and/or the Laboratory Secretary will advise you as to which documents you will need to submit to apply for a fellowship at NIDDK.
Prior to making your travel arrangements, contact your Principal Investigator (Mentor) regarding your arrival date.
Obtaining a Visa (for Non-U.S. Citizens)
If you are a non-U.S. citizen, you will be required to obtain a J-1 or other visa that allows you to work in the U.S. during your fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. The Division of International Services (DIS) at NIH works with all prospective visiting scientists to meet or fulfill their visa requirements, and will contact you upon receipt of a copy of your offer letter and supporting documentation.
For more information about DIS and visa issues, see the attached link about visas at the Division International Services (DIS) website. The Visiting Program at NIH is explained by DIS in their section entitled About the Visiting Program.
Your Immigration Specialist at DIS will prepare a variety of essential documents related to your fellowship award and immigration status. You can obtain more information by viewing the DIS site or by e-mailing DIS at disteamb@mail.nih.gov.
Contacting the Fellowship Office
After you have received an offer letter from the Scientific Director of NIDDK and have begun to make arrangements to arrive at the NIH, contact the Fellowship Office before your travel date so that we can schedule an orientation session soon after your arrival. You can e-mail the Fellowship Office at fellowships@intra.niddk.nih.gov, or call Amy Magra 301-435-8901 and/or Lorraine Moore 301-496-6685.
Buddy System
If you are an International Fellow, we can make your transition to the U.S. and the NIH easier by giving you the name and contact information of a person from our "Buddy System." This "buddy" is an NIDDK fellow from your country who can answer questions in your language and meet with you when you arrive at the NIH.
Before you arrive at the NIH, the Fellowship Office or the "buddy" will contact you to ask if you would like to use this service.
Finding a Place to Live
There are many good places to live in the area near the NIH campus. While the Bethesda area is rather expensive, there are many other locations near Bethesda that offer more affordable housing has links to various lists of available housing, including apartments, rooms in private residences and local hotels. You should also ask your Mentor or other Fellows for suggestions.
Medical/Health Insurance
If you are an IRTA or Visiting Fellow, you can obtain individual or family insurance through the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES). NIDDK will pay the required expenses directly to FAES. You may also choose private insurance and then be reimbursed for the allowable amount.
If you are a Clinical Fellow or a Research Fellow, you will have to pay for your own insurance coverage as a federal employee. You can choose one of many available health insurance policies offered to NIH employees. For detailed information on these policies, see the Office of Personnel Management.
Coverage provided through the NIH will become effective the day you enroll in the plan. You are eligible to enroll in an NIH-sponsored health plan during the first 30 days after your entry on duty at the NIH. After this time, you will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period.
Family Considerations
If your family is going to be with you during your fellowship at the NIH, there will be issues you will need to consider.
- Is your spouse planning to work, too? If so, will he or she need a visa that covers work authorization?
- If you have children, will they need childcare? The NIH Work/Life Center offers a Child Care Resource Service.
- If your children are school age, what are the schools like in the area near where you live?
- Where is the nearest bus stop to your home?
- You may also want to ask people you know to recommend some good doctors and dentists in the area.
Financial Arrangements
If your home bank is far away, especially if it is located in another country, you will want to make any necessary financial arrangements so that you will have money available before you arrive at the NIH. Once you arrive here, if you need to exchange foreign currency, the airports and PNC Banks can do this. You may also need to use the on-line Oanda currency converter.
Packing Luggage
If you are arriving to the area by plane, you will want to keep in mind the size restrictions for carry-on bags and the airport security rules concerning which items are banned.
Transportation from Airports to NIH
Here are websites with information on the local airports:
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Reagan National Airport (DCA)
If you are not going to be picked up by someone at the airport when you arrive, you can take a taxi, bus or shuttle bus. If you are arriving at Reagan National Airport, you can take the Metrorail or a Metrobus. There is a subway stop on the NIH Bethesda campus, called Medical Center (on the Red Line).
Job-Related Requirements
Contacting your Principal Investigator and Laboratory
After arrival at the NIH, you will meet with your Mentor and Laboratory Secretary.
If you are a Visiting Scientist, you are required to meet with your International Services Branch contact to process your visa documents and receive important information. You will not be allowed to work in the laboratory until you have gone to ISB.
Direct Deposit Form (ACH Form)
At your check-in appointment at the NIH, you will be given a Direct Deposit Form to fill in and have your bank complete so that your stipend or pay can be deposited directly into your bank account. Until this direct deposit account is established, you will receive payment by government check to your home.
The Direct Deposit Form requires a Social Security Number before it can be processed.
If you are a foreign scientist, you probably do not have a Social Security Number, which is required on the Direct Deposit Form. See the section called "Obtaining a Social Security Number" under "Items Requiring Special Attention for Visiting Fellows and Foreign Scientists."
Health Insurance Coverage
If you are an IRTA or Visiting Fellow, you can obtain insurance through FAES, the costs of which NIDDK will pay directly to FAES. You can also choose private insurance and then be reimbursed for the allowable amount. If you are a Clinical Fellow or a Research Fellow, you will have to pay for your own insurance coverage and can choose one of many available health insurance plans offered to NIH employees.
OMS Medical Examination
A medical examination is required for everyone who works at the NIH for one year or longer. Upon arrival at the NIH, you will be asked to schedule an appointment with the OMS located on the 6th floor of the Clinical Center (Building 10), 6C307, telephone number 301-496-4411. You will receive more information in your fellowship appointment letter and from your key contact person when you arrive at the NIH.
E-mail Accounts and Computer Access
After your arrival at the NIH, your Laboratory Secretary will request an e-mail/network account for you and arrange for any other necessary computer access. If you have any questions, contact your Mentor/Sponsor.
Telephone
You will have a telephone to use while you are working in the laboratory. Your Laboratory Secretary will give you a telephone number upon your arrival at the NIH.
Parking Permits and Transhare
If you choose to travel to the NIH each day by car, you will need an NIH parking permit. Please contact DTTS about obtaining a parking permit.
If you plan to use public transportation, you can apply for a partial subsidy of your transportation cost, called Transhare. The NIH Parking Office is located in Building 31, Room B3B04, and their telephone number is 301-496-6851. Their hours are 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
NIH Library
You will automatically be authorized to use the NIH Library when your information is entered in the NIH Enterprise Directory. This is encoded in your NIH ID badge. The NIH Library is located in Building 10, Room 1L21, near the South Entrance lobby.
Training Courses
There are many training courses available to Fellows at the NIH. Some are optional as, for example, those offered through FAES, the Human Resource Development Division, or the NIDDK Center for Information Technology (CIT).
Other courses are required, and are described below.
These courses are given by the Division of Safety Training at NIH. Ask your Mentor or Laboratory Secretary which courses you should take.
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Personal Matters
Opening Bank and Checking Accounts
If you are arriving from out of town, and especially from another country, you will need to open a local bank account within a week or so of your arrival date. You may choose any bank convenient to you. A number of fellows choose the NIH Federal Credit Union which has several locations on and off campus.
Obtaining a Driver's License/Getting a Car
If you need to obtain a driver's license, you can get more information about state and local motor vehicle administrations from these websites:
For Washington, DC residents
For Maryland residents
For Virginia residents
If you want to buy a car and would like to know the current official "Blue Book value" of a particular year and model of that car, go to the Car Buying Tips website.
Fitness Facilities
The NIH Worksite Enrichment Program describes the three NIH Fitness Centers. You must be a member of the Recreation and Welfare Association (R&W) to use the NIH Fitness Centers. There is a $7.00 fee for R&W membership in addition to the Fitness Center fee.
There are also several non-NIH fitness centers that offer NIH employees discounted rates. These are described at the website listed above. Some of the available activities are listed under the NIH Fitness Center.
Social Activities
There is no limit to what is available in the D.C. Metropolitan area. Here are some useful websites to help you find schools, shopping, community events, and resources:
The R&W sponsors the International Women's Group, which provides information and support to the group's members, including wives of foreign scientists and female foreign scientists.
Taxes
Although IRTAs are U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents, much of the information at the Felcom website also applies to Visiting Scientists. Mr. Ed Everitt at the Office of Financial Management at NIH is available to answer IRTA tax questions. You can e-mail him at EverittE@od31em1.od.nih.gov. See also the tax section of the NIH Fellows Handbook.
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Items Requiring Special Attention by Visiting Fellows and Foreign Scientists
Division of International Services (DIS)
The DIS is located in Building 13, Room 2W48. Their main telephone number is 301- 496-6166. Please make sure that you have called for an appointment with your DIS representative before your arrival at DIS. Your entry on duty date (and your pay) will not begin until you have met with your DIS representative disteamb@mail.nih.gov.
Obtaining a Social Security Number
When you meet with your representative at the Division of International Services (DIS), you will be given a Social Security Number Request Form to complete and submit to the Social Security Administration.
Special Associations
There are also several organizations at the NIH and local friends groups for International Scientists. They meet socially to discuss common personal and work-related interests. Some of these groups are listed below.
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Inquiries and Assistance
For more information regarding fellowships at NIDDK, e-mail your request to: Fellowships@intra.niddk.nih.gov, or call 301-451-3640.
General information for visitors and new arrivals at NIH can be found at the NIH visitor website.
See also the on-line NIH Fellows Handbook.
