advice regarding NIH IRTA

[AngelOfAvarice]

I'm planning on applying to the NIH IRTA program this year. Beyond the benefits of the research opportunities and being at an exciting place like an NIH lab, I'm kind of counting on the stipend it would come with as I have a bit of a unique situation and am anxious about being able to afford the upcoming application cycle. The thing is, I'm a bit new to research. I've only been at my school for a short while, and just got invited into someones lab. I've been given some good opportunities, and will likely have a publication or two by spring. However, as it currently stands I'll have a few months research experience and a poster to work with...

So given the lack of substantive experience, how should I format my CV? Should I indicate what I am in the process of getting accomplished or just work with what I have? Would November be a good time to start emailing PI's if I want to start in June or should I wait a couple months?

Should anyone reply and offer me advice, I'd like to thank you in advance, I greatly appreciate it.

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[Mr Avante]

I'm planning on applying to the NIH IRTA program this year. Beyond the benefits of the research opportunities and being at an exciting place like an NIH lab, I'm kind of counting on the stipend it would come with as I have a bit of a unique situation and am anxious about being able to afford the upcoming application cycle. The thing is, I'm a bit new to research. I've only been at my school for a short while, and just got invited into someones lab. I've been given some good opportunities, and will likely have a publication or too by spring. However, as it currently stands I'll have a few months research experience and a poster to work with...

So given the lack of substantive experience, how should I format my CV? Should I indicate what I am in the process of getting accomplished or just work with what I have? Would November be a good time to start emailing PI's if I want to start in June or should I wait a couple months?

Should anyone reply and offer me advice, I'd like to thank you in advance, I greatly appreciate it.

Hello, AngeOfAvarice! (great name by the way).
The NIH IRTA program will provide you an stipend based on previous experiences:

• 0-1 year = $27,000
• 1-2 years = $29,000

So, despite having little time working at a research lab, you will receive the same amount as a graduate with 1 year of experience.
Your curriculum vitae can be arranged in any format you like. Just remember to be clear and concise.
If there are manuscripts/abstracts that you are preparing, you should list them under a "Manuscripts Under Preparation" section.
For mentor-pairing purposes and considerations, it is advised to include a "Technical Experience" section. This will include any skill you have learned in a research laboratory, e.g. Immunoprecipitation; Radioimmunoassay; ELISA; FACS analysis; Genomic DNA isolation; subcloning; HPLC; Pulse field gel electrophoresis; etc.

Good luck!

 

[volcomx]

the NIH postbac IRTA stipend doesn't depend on previous experience. Everyone starts off at 27,200 for their first year. It increases by 2,000 every year.

As for contacting PIs, you could start in November. Just keep at it until someone lets you in. Even well qualified candidates will get a lot of rejections because many labs are full or not hiring postbacs. Persistence is key to finding a position at the NIH.

 

[smuscs]

the NIH postbac IRTA stipend doesn't depend on previous experience. Everyone starts off at 27,200 for their first year. It increases by 2,000 every year.

Not true. Different divisions offer different stipends. Level of experience determines maximum pay allowed. And if you are applying to/attending graduate school you get an extremely small salary increase

 

[volcomx]

Not true. Different divisions offer different stipends. Level of experience determines maximum pay allowed. And if you are applying to/attending graduate school you get an extremely small salary increase

NCI is the only division that has control over how much they can pay postbacs. Level of experience does not determine pay unless you are in NCI, where the PI has discretion over pay.

If you are in graduate school you aren't a postbac.

I'm at the NIH right now. All of us thought that we'd get paid according to previous research experience, as it suggests in the handbook online, but that is not the case.

 

[smuscs]

NCI is the only division that has control over how much they can pay postbacs. Level of experience does not determine pay unless you are in NCI, where the PI has discretion over pay.

If you are in graduate school you aren't a postbac.

I'm at the NIH right now. All of us thought that we'd get paid according to previous research experience, as it suggests in the handbook online, but that is not the case.

I don't argue online. All I am going to say it that I am also an IRTA and I recently had a discussion about my stipend with my PI and he told me 2 things: your previous experience does matter, although it is up to the discretion of the division that is awarding you the IRTA, and stipend maximum pay is 'frozen.'


And yes I know if you are in grad school you aren't a postbac, I apologize I was just giving you the full information. Whether you are applying to or attending, you get a 'raise.'

 

[Reckoner]

I don't argue online. All I am going to say it that I am also an IRTA and I recently had a discussion about my stipend with my PI and he told me 2 things: your previous experience does matter, although it is up to the discretion of the division that is awarding you the IRTA, and stipend maximum pay is 'frozen.'

I'm an IRTA and I've lived with IRTAs in five different institutes. All of us made/make 27,200 for the first year, except for the one in the NCI, who made a little over 30,000. Even if what your PI told you is true, I'm guessing the sequester has most institutes sticking with the lowest possible stipend.

To get back to the OP's original quesiton: Mr. Avante's advice on the CV is good. Making sure your emails are personal and demonstrate that you took the time to learn the basics of each PI's research and are genuinely interested will also help you out. November is probably a fine time to start. I started emailing at the beginning of December for a June start date and it worked out for me.

 

[AngelOfAvarice]

Thanks for all of the replies, I appreciate it. I'm not particularly concerned about the salary, 20k or 30k it will be more money than I've ever had, and it will be enough to get me through the app cycle.

I was more concerned about not having a huge amount of time under my belt or a bunch of other stuff. I think I've got the gist of things though. Thanks again for all of your replies.

 

[Espadaleader]

It's always one person that wants to be like you're wrong lol. Ain't a soul at NIH making more the 27,200 in the first year except the NCI IRTAs/CRTAs. What was this dude talking about?