HomeCareers & TrainingTraining Programs NHGRI Intramural Health Disparities Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Intramural Health Disparities Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended to provide promising recent doctoral graduates the opportunity to use genetic and genomic approaches to advance the growing area of health disparities research. Health disparities research programs involve not only basic, clinical, or behavioral research related to health disparity populations and the medically underserved, but also strive to create a diverse group of genetic and genomic scientists who engage in such research.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work 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. Successful candidates will also have the opportunity to interact with members of the newly formed NIH Intramural Center for Genomics and Health Disparities (NICGHD).

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.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 2008-2009 NIH IRTA/Visiting Fellow Trainee Stipends [training.nih.gov]. Awards are granted for an initial 12-month period, with renewal up to five years, based on satisfactory performance. Health insurance is provided for the fellow and their immediate family.

Benefits and Opportunities

• Fellows will have the opportunity to meet with a mentoring advisory board at least once a year. Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in career development courses and activities offered through the NHGRI Intramural Training Office and the NIH-wide Office of Intramural Training and Education [training.nih.gov].
  
  
• Fellows will receive funding to travel to at least one scientific meeting per year that is relevant to their area of research or that encourages increased diversity in the biomedical and health sciences.
  
  
• To demonstrate their commitment to a career in health disparities research, the fellow 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.

Application Procedure

Prospective applicants should apply online, at http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/apply [research.nhgri.nih.gov]. The applicant must submit the following:

• 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 that share a common research interest with the applicant and whom the applicant would be interested in working with during their postdoctoral fellowship.
  
  
• The names of three references that will be asked to provide letters of recommendation.

The application cycle is currently closed

NHGRI encourages applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research. Underrepresented groups in biomedical research include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, individuals of low socio-economic status, and individuals with disabilities.

Selection Process

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.

For additional information, please contact:

Michelle R.J. Hamlet, Ph.D.
Intramural Training Office
National Human Genome Research Institute
Building 12A, Room 1039
12 South Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
E-mail: hamletm@mail.nih.gov

For more information on NHGRI's Intramural Research Program, please visit www.genome.gov/DIR.

The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs. DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage applications from women and individuals from underrepresented groups.

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Last Updated: January 29, 2009