NIH IRTA Program

[peiwei789]

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[Araneidae]

I was a post-bac at NIMH for two years and loved it. It was an amazing experience in my life and gave me the stability of a really fascinating job with a lot of independence. I worked my ass off-- we all did-- but I had a lot of great opportunities in the process. Best of all it was great to really feel important in the research process. The OITE office was super helpful for anyone applying to med school, and often did seminars, as well as providing opportunities for personal reviews and mock interviews. I used NIH resources far more than my undergraduate pre-professional resources. I got a free trip to San Diego to present a poster at SFN. I made great friends and mentors in my field. I played with monkeys for two years!

Like others have said it's very variable, and all depends on what your lab is like. I got pretty lucky to have very good mentors and an overall good experience (except for one dingus post-doc for about a year, but I got used to him). Being not in school taught me how to be a person. I couldn't imagine going straight into med school.

 

[Araneidae]

And as far as how I got the job, it was pure luck. I had no experience in any animal research. I had interviewed to be a summer student in a similar laboratory two years before I applied. They wanted me but eventually decided they wanted a post-bac, not a summer student. When I was looking to be a post bac, I sent out feelers again. Turned out the lab had closed down, but I got a name for a PI who was looking. I emailed that PI and name-dropped the other lab- I got an interview and I got in. Right place, right time. I think I must have sent out 50 or more emails to other labs with very little luck. I had just about given up.

I got someone else a job in the same lab who had simply posted to that NIH post-bac email group. I hardly ever checked it but one day glanced at it and saw a plea from someone looking for a job in a primate lab who had a lot of experience. I gave her a heads up that our lab was looking and she is now in her second year.

 

[nih15hopeful]

First time user, long time lurker here. Thanks for all the great discussion everyone!

Quick question:
I've been searching since early February (phone calls and emails) and still haven't found a lab. There've been a lot of emails from PIs saying, "Sorry, but our positions are full." Do you guys think it would be inappropriate to ask these people if they know any researchers at the NIH who might be looking for postbacs? I've done it for a few and noticed that almost none of them respond, and the others respond with a simple "no." Seems harmless to me, but I am pretty much brand new to research culture.

 

[mtnd2]

First time user, long time lurker here. Thanks for all the great discussion everyone!

Quick question:
I've been searching since early February (phone calls and emails) and still haven't found a lab. There've been a lot of emails from PIs saying, "Sorry, but our positions are full." Do you guys think it would be inappropriate to ask these people if they know any researchers at the NIH who might be looking for postbacs? I've done it for a few and noticed that almost none of them respond, and the others respond with a simple "no." Seems harmless to me, but I am pretty much brand new to research culture.

Some PIs I e-mailed told me they'd forward my e-mail to other PIs who are working on similar things, but nothing stemmed out of that. The PI that eventually took interest in my application was part of another PI's group, though, so in some instances when they know of other PIs looking for post-bacs, they do forward your e-mail to them.

 

[nih15hopeful]

Some PIs I e-mailed told me they'd forward my e-mail to other PIs who are working on similar things, but nothing stemmed out of that. The PI that eventually took interest in my application was part of another PI's group, though, so in some instances when they know of other PIs looking for post-bacs, they do forward your e-mail to them.

I see, so they kind of told you themselves whether they knew anyone who might be hiring. But, given you've already been rejected with a simple answer, you (and others on this thread?) don't think it's in bad taste or inappropriate to ask them up front for leads or advice on potential PIs?

I wonder mostly because in college, PI rejections often came with encouragement or tips without my asking. Maybe a more competitive atmosphere at NIH...that or just genuine lack of knowledge of other PIs/lack of time and interest in our emails. But still, I'm curious to know what you guys think about the above question. If it does, in fact, put the PIs in an awkward place to be so forward, I'd like to know so I can stop asking them.

 

[cactus8910]

I see, so they kind of told you themselves whether they knew anyone who might be hiring. But, given you've already been rejected with a simple answer, you (and others on this thread?) don't think it's in bad taste or inappropriate to ask them up front for leads or advice on potential PIs?

I wonder mostly because in college, PI rejections often came with encouragement or tips without my asking. Maybe a more competitive atmosphere at NIH...that or just genuine lack of knowledge of other PIs/lack of time and interest in our emails. But still, I'm curious to know what you guys think about the above question. If it does, in fact, put the PIs in an awkward place to be so forward, I'd like to know so I can stop asking them.

I think if a PI wanted to refer you to someone else, they would most likely do it without prompting. However, maybe rather than sending a follow up email, you could include something in your initial email along the lines of "I understand that you may not have space available for a postbac at the moment. If that is the case, I would appreciate it if you could refer me to any colleagues of yours in x field who may have an opening."
I think you'd be more likely to get a response this way, rather than being ignored.

 

[mtnd2]

@nih15hopeful, I agree with what @cactus8910 said. That's a polite way of asking - short and to the point without being too demanding.

 

[nih15hopeful]

Thank you both, that's a great suggestion! I think I'll try to incorporate that into my next email.

Back to Lurkville for now...

 

[qoowoo777]

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[itsthat1guy]

After another 7 or so interview I found another lab to do a post bac in Bethesda. What are you guys doing with regards to housing? Single apartments are too expensive with the post bac salary and I don't know how to find roomates

 

[PhysicianScientist]

After another 7 or so interview I found another lab to do a post bac in Bethesda. What are you guys doing with regards to housing? Single apartments are too expensive with the post bac salary and I don't know how to find roomates

I've seen some single apartments for $1300 - 1600/month. If you pay 1500/month that comes to 18,000/yr which still leaves about $9750 for food/other expenses. Probably won't be saving much if you get a single apartment but I think it should be possible. Also I heard a Yahoo group called ClubPCR might be good place to find roommates if you don't want to get a single.

 

[nih15hopeful]

Just to update you all: looks like I won't be spending my next year at the NIH. Over 100 emails later, it's time to call it. I'll be spending my app year as a scribe instead. Good luck all, and enjoy your time with the NIH!

 

[itsthat1guy]

Hey guys who is applying to the academy? Was hoping i could find someone to read my letter of interest, would be glad to do the same
So excited to start! Moving in on the 15th of this month

 

[itsthat1guy]

Hey guys who is applying to the academy? Was hoping i could find someone to read my letter of interest, would be glad to do the same
So excited to start! Moving in on the 15th of this month

bump

 

[nih15hopeful]

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[itsthat1guy]

Sorry! As noted above, I have decided instead to spend the next year as a scribe. However, this means I have a lot of free time right now and, as an English major, would gladly enjoy the opportunity to exercise my strengths (which exclude humility, apparently 😛). PM me if you'd like!

Lol poor timing, i submitted my app a few hours ago! Thanks anyways though

 

[nih15hopeful]

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[peiwei789]

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[cactus8910]

I'm about to start my position in July and was wondering if any of you might have some insight on vacation days. How many days do you think would be appropriate for a person doing a 1-year stint? Does 3 weeks (in total) sound unreasonable? I know I'll need to take at least a few for friends' weddings and hopefully a few for interviews and family time. Let me know what you guys think! @cactus8910 and others

I think 3 weeks is reasonable, especially if it's spread out a bit (1 week in the summer, 1 week for winter holidays, plus a few days here and there for long weekends).
My boss was very understanding about me taking time off, but I also worked a lot of long days and weekends.

 

[peiwei789]

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[itsthat1guy]

How is everyone enjoying their new lab? My PI is pretty cool and i like the postdoc im working with right now. I was told oll have my own project in like 6 months which is really exciting

 

[steelersfan1243]

Is anyone currently a NIH Postbac? I kind of regret not choosing to live in DC as its terribly boring on the weekends. What do you guys do for social life?

 

[spotstorm]

bump.

For everyone who applied and got accepted to a lab in the NIH IRTA program, did anyone NOT have extensive research experience? I have some clinical research experience and I majored in neuroscience but that's basically it. I'd love to apply and gain experience in more scientific research, but I'm not sure if my application would be completely hopeless without it. Any thoughts?

 

[CaffeineJunkie]

bump.

For everyone who applied and got accepted to a lab in the NIH IRTA program, did anyone NOT have extensive research experience? I have some clinical research experience and I majored in neuroscience but that's basically it. I'd love to apply and gain experience in more scientific research, but I'm not sure if my application would be completely hopeless without it. Any thoughts?

**** yea neuro majors. Anyway, you're fine! A couple of my friends here had very little research experience and I wouldn't say I had a ton (outside of a thesis and a summer) either when I applied. From what my current mentor told me, I think the most important thing in getting accepted to a lab here isn't so much what you've done/what experiences you have, but instead a combination of how much interest/enthusiasm you show in the lab and whether or not they happen to need a postbac.

Of course, relevant experience would help but, at the end of the day, this program is made specifically to help postbacs gain more experience in biomedical or clinical research before grad/med school. Because of that, you'll find people here with all sorts of different levels of experience.

Feel free to hit me up on a PM if you have more questions about this program/need an e-mail template! I'm bored in lab for the next 2 hours or so.

 

[Noctámbulo]

Anyone at the NIA who can provide some feedback about their experience?

 

[flipfloptheocean]

Is it possible to apply in may / june for a position starting in the fall / winter or do all aplicants start in the summer? Is it better to wait until next fall/ winter and apply with that cycle to start in the summer?

 

[numbersloth]

Is it possible to apply in may / june for a position starting in the fall / winter or do all aplicants start in the summer? Is it better to wait until next fall/ winter and apply with that cycle to start in the summer?

From what I've heard, there is no way to tell. Just email the labs you are interested in and if they need someone they will hire you, even really late in the game. You can always reapply again if they say its too late!