Program Description

Postdoctoral Fellows engage in pure laboratory research. Applicants must have either a graduate doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.) or a professional degree (e.g., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D. or D.V.M.) accompanied by previous research laboratory experience.

Eligibility

American and foreign-born applicants who are no more than 5 years beyond the date of their most recent doctoral degree at the time of application are eligible. Other appointment mechanisms are available for more senior researchers.

Training Period

Postdoctoral fellows can spend up to 5 years in the NIAMS' postdoctoral program. This program is aimed at promoting the careers of talented individuals through intensive exposure to the latest advances in basic, clinical, and epidemiological research. Opportunities exist for fellows to take a variety of courses at the NIH and to participate in patient care where appropriate.

At the end of the training period, the majority of fellows will leave NIH to pursue careers at institutions in the United States or abroad; however, some intramural fellows may be selected to compete for permanent positions as tenured independent investigators.

Financial Support

The stipends for postdoctoral trainees at the NIH are adjusted yearly; with supplements for prior experience, multiple degrees, and expertise in areas of current interest to the NIH such as mathematics, engineering, chemistry, and bioinformatics. For details, see the Trainee Stipends page.

NIH has a program designed to facilitate receiving an R01 award earlier in an investigator's research career: NIH Pathway to Independence (PI) Award (K99/R00). Scientists working in the IRP may be eligible to participate in NIH's Loan Repayment Program.

How to Apply

We encourage you to contact NIAMS investigators with whom you would like to word directly. There is no deadline for postdoctoral research training positions. Visit the various NIAMS Research Labs to identify a laboratory or research area that interests you. Be sure to provide the following:

  • Curriculum vitae and other supporting documents.
  • Information on past research experience, science awards, honors, student programs and participation in scientific meetings.
  • Abstracts and scientific papers.
  • Recommendation letters from science faculty, preceptors, etc. that have direct knowledge of your scientific interests and abilities.

More Information

Postdoctoral Research Training Positions at NIH

Current postdoctoral training positions at NIAMS and the NIH. Learn more

Japanese Researcher Fellowships at NIH

Fellowships to support meritorious biomedical and behavioral research projects at NIH labs by young Japanese postdoctoral researchers. Learn more

Contact Us

Janelle Hauserman, Ph.D.

Training Director
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda MD 20892
Last Updated: