Any researchers at the NIH with PI's looking for IRTA applicants?

[thewonderer8]

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Hello everyone,

I have sent over 200 emails to no luck but I am still persevering! Some kind SDN'ers have been going to IRTA threads and speaking about opportunities they know. I created this thread in the hopes of helping all aspiring IRTAs.

Any help would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[mistafab]

Answer to thread topic: Yes, but it is not appropriate for me me to jump in this process or recommend folks I don't know.

My boss said he found me in the IRTA database by searching some keywords. Luckily, I was one of only a few people that bothered putting specific keywords in my personal statement that were searchable. How is it that other people don't do this? Anyway, future IRTAs should SCRUTINIZE their personal statement to be both broad, yet specific, using keywords in the areas of interest they want to work in.

I.E. if you want to work in a basic biology lab, say something in there about "flow cytometry" or "immunology" instead of things like "basic science" or "wet lab" if your main research interest is in the immune system.

TL;DR: PIs looking for IRTAs will delegate the hiring to an underling who will look up the keywords of their field.

 

[thewonderer8]

Answer to thread topic: Yes, but it is not appropriate for me me to jump in this process or recommend folks I don't know.

My boss said he found me in the IRTA database by searching some keywords. Luckily, I was one of only a few people that bothered putting specific keywords in my personal statement that were searchable. How is it that other people don't do this? Anyway, future IRTAs should SCRUTINIZE their personal statement to be both broad, yet specific, using keywords in the areas of interest they want to work in.

I.E. if you want to work in a basic biology lab, say something in there about "flow cytometry" or "immunology" instead of things like "basic science" or "wet lab" if your main research interest is in the immune system.

TL;DR: PIs looking for IRTAs will delegate the hiring to an underling who will look up the keywords of their field.

Thanks for the response Mistafab.

I'm having difficult finding that balance between specific and broad as I don't want to limit myself. I've been trying to find a lab for over 2 months now to no luck.

I will take your advice and try to be more specific in the words I use.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Hello everyone,

I have sent over 200 emails to no luck but I am still persevering! Some kind SDN'ers have been going to IRTA threads and speaking about opportunities they know. I created this thread in the hopes of helping all aspiring IRTAs.

Any help would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks!

Story of my life. I am currently drafting emails to PIs right now. I will have sent 57 as of tomorrow.

 

[ickaDIRT]

Terrible strategy. 200 generic soliciations will look boring and uninteresting to all 200 potential PIs. Much better off focusing on one or two PIs, whose work you're very interested in. Trawl their lab group website, get an idea for the active projects, the structure/resources of the lab, members (how many and what position e.g. other grad studetns, post docs technicians etc.). Then when you reach out to this person pitch a very specific proposal: I want to come here becasue you do X and I am interested in doing Y in your lab. Also make it clear that you are applying for a funded position, this is something that will be important to them. Tell them you'd love to meet/talk over the phone to discuss how to craft your IRTA proposal around their research. In turn, they will have a vested interest in helping you secure that funding.

No one will take you seriously without a very clear plan like this.

 

[mistafab]

Terrible strategy. 200 generic soliciations will look boring and uninteresting to all 200 potential PIs. Much better off focusing on one or two PIs, whose work you're very interested in. Trawl their lab group website, get an idea for the active projects, the structure/resources of the lab, members (how many and what position e.g. other grad studetns, post docs technicians etc.). Then when you reach out to this person pitch a very specific proposal: I want to come here becasue you do X and I am interested in doing Y in your lab. Also make it clear that you are applying for a funded position, this is something that will be important to them. Tell them you'd love to meet/talk over the phone to discuss how to craft your IRTA proposal around their research. In turn, they will have a vested interest in helping you secure that funding.

No one will take you seriously without a very clear plan like this.

This is a great post.

Also - Mac Dre is the best.

 

[SpartyParty1992]

if any of you have questions about irta, feel free to PM me!

 

[thewonderer8]

Terrible strategy. 200 generic soliciations will look boring and uninteresting to all 200 potential PIs. Much better off focusing on one or two PIs, whose work you're very interested in. Trawl their lab group website, get an idea for the active projects, the structure/resources of the lab, members (how many and what position e.g. other grad studetns, post docs technicians etc.). Then when you reach out to this person pitch a very specific proposal: I want to come here becasue you do X and I am interested in doing Y in your lab. Also make it clear that you are applying for a funded position, this is something that will be important to them. Tell them you'd love to meet/talk over the phone to discuss how to craft your IRTA proposal around their research. In turn, they will have a vested interest in helping you secure that funding.

No one will take you seriously without a very clear plan like this.

I'm a little upset that you assumed that I sent 200 generic emails. Like I said, I've been doing this for 2 months. My first 50 emails were very specific and like what you are saying. I received responses such as "already hired an IRTA" and "not looking for one" and it was disheartening considering the amount of effort I put into each of those emails and getting one lined responses. Now, my emails are STILL specific where I talk about what it is about their research I like but not as complex because I simply cannot justify working so hard on emails where the PI has already selected or is not looking for one. One PI who had selected even complemented this latter approach I am doing. So please do not assume. My current approach is to send these specific emails and to elaborate on a plan when they tell me they are looking. Otherwise, I believe I'm just wasting the PI's time and they will feel the same way.

 

[ickaDIRT]

I'm a little upset that you assumed that I sent 200 generic emails. Like I said, I've been doing this for 2 months. My first 50 emails were very specific and like what you are saying. I received responses such as "already hired an IRTA" and "not looking for one" and it was disheartening considering the amount of effort I put into each of those emails and getting one lined responses. Now, my emails are STILL specific where I talk about what it is about their research I like but not as complex because I simply cannot justify working so hard on emails where the PI has already selected or is not looking for one. One PI who had selected even complemented this latter approach I am doing. So please do not assume. My current approach is to send these specific emails and to elaborate on a plan when they tell me they are looking. Otherwise, I believe I'm just wasting the PI's time and they will feel the same way.

Look don't get upset, I'm just giving my honest opinion of how to get traction here. I don't care if you took two years...there's no way you could have done what I suggested to 200 PIs. My candid advice would be to narrow your focus and approach a PI with a grant style proposal.

 

[thewonderer8]

Look don't get upset, I'm just giving my honest opinion of how to get traction here. I don't care if you took two years...there's no way you could have done what I suggested to 200 PIs. My candid advice would be to narrow your focus and approach a PI with a grant style proposal.

I understand. I just think that while your proposal is a great idea, it isn't the problem with a PI search I'm having. Showing dedication and a plan is important but becomes moot when the PI simply isn't looking, doesn't have the funding, and/or has already selected. I would think it's better to show a specific interest at first in your initial inquiry and then follow up on a plan when the PI says he/she is considering applicants.