I'm about to graduate my undergraduate this May and am considering applying for the NIH IRTA program during my gap year. I will also be applying to medical school this next summer. At that point, I will have a year and a half experience as an undergraduate research assistant. I have actual experience with cell culturing, NMR, IR, etc. I'm curious if anyone has ever done the IRTA program and whether it was a good choice for them or not... I'm a little skeptical since the pay (I believe is ~$30,000) isn't very much considering the cost of living in Bethesda. There's so many other questions that I have along with the application process, so if someone could just give me their $.02 that would be amazing! TIA
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Its one of the best postbacc activities a premed can do.
Have you done it before?
Current 2nd year NIH postbac here and applying to med school this cycle. I'm pretty involved with the postbac community here so I have a lot of perspectives. PM me your questions and I'd be glad to answer them!
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Another current IRTA here. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
Regarding the pay, it is ample to support a single 20-something (assuming you budget reasonably). I've even saved and gotten a well-paying side job.
Regarding other aspects of the IRTA position, the meaningfulness of your experience really depends on your fit with the lab. Are you in contact with any labs? If you have interest in certain lab(s), you should e-mail their respective PIs to express your interest in their research. If you don't take this approach, your app may well get lost in the application sea. Most IRTAs take this approach and get multiple offers. When you interview, ensure you are clear about expectations; many labs will entice you with the opportunity to publish, but may not make an effort to include you in productive research once you arrive. Look for opportunities that offer autonomy and not mere grunt work. Some labs use IRTAs as cheap labor and you should avoid these if they do not contribute to your skills, goals, etc.
Based on my experience, your happiness/fulfillment in the IRTA position hinges entirely on the lab in which you find yourself. Start e-mailing PIs early and choose wisely.
Regarding the pay, it is ample to support a single 20-something (assuming you budget reasonably). I've even saved and gotten a well-paying side job.
Regarding other aspects of the IRTA position, the meaningfulness of your experience really depends on your fit with the lab. Are you in contact with any labs? If you have interest in certain lab(s), you should e-mail their respective PIs to express your interest in their research. If you don't take this approach, your app may well get lost in the application sea. Most IRTAs take this approach and get multiple offers. When you interview, ensure you are clear about expectations; many labs will entice you with the opportunity to publish, but may not make an effort to include you in productive research once you arrive. Look for opportunities that offer autonomy and not mere grunt work. Some labs use IRTAs as cheap labor and you should avoid these if they do not contribute to your skills, goals, etc.
Based on my experience, your happiness/fulfillment in the IRTA position hinges entirely on the lab in which you find yourself. Start e-mailing PIs early and choose wisely.
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How detailed were your research interests/cover letters? Should I include a few sentences on experiments I want to propose or other technical, research-oriented sections?
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I detailed general skills but also elaborated with specific, relevant examples from my research background. I sold myself and my skills but didn't bring up research proposals. Most PIs/senior scientists know you're coming in (relatively) fresh-faced. They don't necessarily expect you to have used every technique in prior research, but it is important to draw upon techniques you may be skilled in to demonstrate your aptitude. You should also demonstrate familiarity with their research; after all, you want to express your interest! But you will learn the technical, research-oriented things when you start working for them.
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Alumni of the program here. Cannot agree more with above statement. Currently, interviewing for residency positions across the country and it is a topic of conversation that future employers love to ask about. Program not only opens doors but will provide you with a perspective and background in the biomedical sciences which is the foundation of all of medicine.
Medical school is about cramming an enormous amount of information in a short period of time which often leaves little time to learn how to think critically. Although there were others in my class who performed better than me straight from undergrad, many of them dont appreciate the fluidity of the science which is often simplified in review books and textbooks.
Also, as stated above, not all labs are created equal. More important to find a lab with friendly culture than one which is a paper mill. Some PI's there breed a horrible environment for learning as they place colleagues in a competitive vs collaborative relationship.
Best of luck! Btw bethesda/dc was an awesome place to live.
Current IRTA here. Just adding my 2 cents here, and you can PM me if you have more questions.
Cost: You'll be fine on 30k. Most people I know are paying anywhere from 700-1000$/mo for their living arrangements. I'm incredibly satisfied with my place -- I found it on Samslist (http://nih.samslist.us/), which is kind of like craigslist but for federal employees, I think.
Area: Bethesda is pretty swanky/expensive. DC is amazing. The music scene is top notch, especially if you're into alt/indie/hipsterish stuff.
Labs: Your experience in the lab is 100% dependent on your PI/supervisors. I know some people who take weeks off at a time with no repercussions, and I know others who are working 80 hour weeks on the regular. Do your research.
Helping you with being pre-med: One of my favorite parts of IRTA is that they understand the program is for pre-med/pre-grad students. So most people will be incredibly understanding when you need to take time off for interviews. I couldn't imagine going through the application process during the school year.
Misc: If this matters to you, post-bacs in the NCI make an extra 3k/yr (at least on the main campus).
Cost: You'll be fine on 30k. Most people I know are paying anywhere from 700-1000$/mo for their living arrangements. I'm incredibly satisfied with my place -- I found it on Samslist (http://nih.samslist.us/), which is kind of like craigslist but for federal employees, I think.
Area: Bethesda is pretty swanky/expensive. DC is amazing. The music scene is top notch, especially if you're into alt/indie/hipsterish stuff.
Labs: Your experience in the lab is 100% dependent on your PI/supervisors. I know some people who take weeks off at a time with no repercussions, and I know others who are working 80 hour weeks on the regular. Do your research.
Helping you with being pre-med: One of my favorite parts of IRTA is that they understand the program is for pre-med/pre-grad students. So most people will be incredibly understanding when you need to take time off for interviews. I couldn't imagine going through the application process during the school year.
Misc: If this matters to you, post-bacs in the NCI make an extra 3k/yr (at least on the main campus).
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Can any current IRTA's tell me whether they did one or two years at the IRTA? I'm a current applicant and I've emailed a ton of PIs. Out of maybe 40 emails, 5-6 have responded. I had one interview where said PI wanted 2 years, I have another potential lined up where he seems to prefer 2 years, but may be okay with 1.
I'm finishing up my second year now. A majority of the IRTAs I know did 2 years. Many PIs ask for 2 years because much of the first year is spent training students and they want to make sure you can really accomplish something during your time here. That said, if you're applying to med school this cycle and didn't intend on committing two years, you should feel free to stick to that plan. You can find a PI that is willing to take you for just one year.
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If you can get a better paying job, I would take that. Irta doesn't offer a benefits pack containing dental, roth, and whatever else you can think. More likely if you find full time work even at a research lab, your pay should start over 35k plus benefits. Only do nih as backup...or if you don't have much research work or your parents are rich.
Or if you have undergrad loans you're hoping to defer during your gap years. Or if you need free health insurance. Or if you want to work in a place where you're considered a "trainee" and therefore have protected time to work on medical school applications and go to interviews.
The difference between NIH and any other research lab position is that at NIH you are not an employee. You exist to learn. (There are exceptions of labs where PIs don't understand this, but the vast majority do.) You can take graduate classes for free and you have a professional school advising system in place at the Office of Intramural Training and Education. It's not for everybody, but it's a very comprehensive gap year option.
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I'm nearing the end of a one-year commitment (as that's standard in my lab). It depends on the position but, to echo @Deel323 , most do 2 years.
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1-year here, as well.
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ACCEPTED!!!! SUPER EXCITED 😀 😀
also: https://oma1.od.nih.gov/Manualchapters/person/2300-320-7/Appendices/PostBacc16.PDF?
does anyone know what NCI will offer their trainees as extra for this year?
also: https://oma1.od.nih.gov/Manualchapters/person/2300-320-7/Appendices/PostBacc16.PDF?
does anyone know what NCI will offer their trainees as extra for this year?
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I would love to hear about your experience!!! I am thinking about applying for the upcoming year and would love to get your advice.
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Another IRTA Postbac here, in my second year. Feel free to PM me with any questions you have.
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Also a 2nd year IRTA. I agree with all of the above, but would like to add that you should NOT live in Bethesda/Rockville. Live somewhere cheaper in DC and take the metro instead. The NIH will subsidize your transit costs and you'll have a much better time overall if you're in the city as opposed to 30min away. 30k is plenty livable as long as you're not planning to save any money for the future (you wont.)
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For those who did the IRTA program for one year, when did you start? Did you start right after graduation in June, or would August be alright? Thank you!
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IIRC you can pick your start date as long as it's. before October.that being said,your contract is, at a minimum, 9 months long. So later start date = later end date. Make sure the contract you are signing won't make it so that if your time at the NIH will overlap with starting medical school.
Also, can past IRTA fellows recommend some good places to look for housing in DC that aren't crazy expensive? I've found good options in Silver Spring / Twinbrook near the Red Line but I haven't found any in the city. Recomendaciones? @moggat ?
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PurpleCow2016
Hello! I'm a current postbac, and I have a bunch of friends who live in tenleytown, van ness, and Cleveland park. I also live in one of these neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are in DC, sort of halfway between NIH campus and downtown DC, which makes it great for nightlife and commuting to work!
There are lots of group houses with rooms going for ~900 to 1000 per month I think.
If you want more specifics, PM me and I can tell you a bit more about my current housing situation! Don't want to post it here due to privacy
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When I was an IRTA I went with Silver Spring and got a nice place. YMMV - commute time on redline from silver spring is around 1 hour. Driving is around 15 minutes there and 30-45 back in traffic.
If I were a prospective IRTA looking for an apartment, I would pull up the DC Metro map, and look for apartments all along the metro red line (Medical Center on the red line is where you will work) until you find a good price point. IRTA's get a monthly travel budget for using the metro that covers the cost up to $180 a month. I would look into the NIH housing website https://nih.samslist.us/ for rooms to rent or any other good deals you may find.
EDIT: also, as an aside, if you qualify for the increased salary based on years of research experience, make sure to ask your lab for the increased salary. I was paid more than my friend who never bothered to ask, it amounted to an extra few thousand in my pocket at the end of the year.
If I were a prospective IRTA looking for an apartment, I would pull up the DC Metro map, and look for apartments all along the metro red line (Medical Center on the red line is where you will work) until you find a good price point. IRTA's get a monthly travel budget for using the metro that covers the cost up to $180 a month. I would look into the NIH housing website https://nih.samslist.us/ for rooms to rent or any other good deals you may find.
EDIT: also, as an aside, if you qualify for the increased salary based on years of research experience, make sure to ask your lab for the increased salary. I was paid more than my friend who never bothered to ask, it amounted to an extra few thousand in my pocket at the end of the year.
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deleted647690
How would I know at this point whether the end date for my time at the NIH overlaps with starting med school? I plan to spend 2 years at the NIH, and hopefully I get into med school during my 2nd IRTA year so that I can matriculate directly afterwards. Should I just guesstimate that I should try and be done by August of the end of that second year?
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Well, if you are doing two years you have less to worry about. If you are only doing one year, starting late and the minimum 9 month contract might mean your IRTA contract overlaps with orientation (some schools start as early as June/July). Doing two years, you will be far beyond the minimum contract length before you have to leave for med school
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I graduated in May and started in June. It depends on the lab mostly but I felt comfortable with this time.
Just want to reiterate to everyone that which lab you pick is very important and I suggest you talk to people in the labs next door to the one you want and to also speak to people in the lab before you join. My lab right now is crazy and I basically have no real project that is amounting to any success and I'm treated more as a tech. Super disappointed in my dysfunctional lab.
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deleted647690
Oh, so you don't sign some kind of 2 year agreement? Just a minimum of 9 months? I guess that is something I will discuss with my PI then when the time comes
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I cant speak for everyone, but in my particular case the contract is for 1 year with the expectation of renewing it for a second. I imagine this gives my PI a kind of 1 yr buffer period to decide whether or not they actually want me to stick around for 2, but according to him he has never had to let a postbacc go earlier than expected.
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As far as I understand it, your first year is a fixed contract (mine was a year exactly) but your second year is flexible (I'm leaving a month or so early because my program starts in june/july)-it just needs to be worked out with your PI ahead of time, so just be up front about your schedule, they're used to it.
I know a bunch of people who live in Van Ness, Tenleytown, Cleveland Park etc (I live in Friendship Heights basically on the border with MD and absolutely love it) and its a great part of town. Adams Morgan, Dupont, and Columbia Heights are popular too. In all those places however you're going to be paying a DC premium and probably need roommates (or else just be cool with spending 60% of your income on rent). If you want cheap and don't care about being close to the city, Rockville, Twinbrook, and Shady Grove are much cheaper (~30 min metro to get into DC). I wouldn't recommend Silver Spring unless you've got a car, otherwise your commute will be like an hour+ (other end of the metro line-and thats on a day when the metro runs perfectly). Housing prices in the DMV area is pretty much directly proportional to how close you live to the nearest metro stop, so if you have a car or are willing to walk an extra 10-15 min, you'll be able to find a place for cheaper. Red line is definitely your best bet--that rush-hour transfer at Metro Center/Gallery Place is a serious bitch.
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I'm in Friendship Heights too!
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Also want to add that once you find a good lab, you honestly might want to stay for two years so that you make significant, actively engaged progress over one year in the lab where you're bouncing around.
I'm here only a year and starting med school in the fall. Everything feels so...rushed. Apart from my lab having issues, DC is a beautiful city and I wish I was here around more to explore it. But between med school interviews and other traveling I've had to do for a few EC's, it's been rough to actually enjoy the city. Right now is the time when you can do this the best. Don't worry if everything else is set.
I'm here only a year and starting med school in the fall. Everything feels so...rushed. Apart from my lab having issues, DC is a beautiful city and I wish I was here around more to explore it. But between med school interviews and other traveling I've had to do for a few EC's, it's been rough to actually enjoy the city. Right now is the time when you can do this the best. Don't worry if everything else is set.
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Silver Spring
That's basically it. Rockville and Friendship Heights are not really that cheap. Silver Spring basically requires a car though, unless you're down for an hour bus ride.
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The way this works:
You sign a contract every year. It is for a maximum of one year. It basically allows you to be there a year. You can TERMINATE it earlier than that.
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*advertisement* I know quite a bit about the IRTA program and how to maximize your time here ECwise (fun and for med school or grad school). Did a lot with OITE and my fellowship! PM or tag me for more Qs.
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@Lucca @Lost In Transcription
I need to make a final decision on which lab I will be joining for my 2 year IRTA job. I have the choice of returning to the same lab I worked in as an SIP student, or joining this new lab I interviewed with. To be honest, I am more drawn to the research in my old lab. However, this new lab also does interesting research (but I'd say I'm more attracted to my old lab). I just feel like this new lab might be a little better in terms of environment (the PI seems to be more focused on the learning aspect of the program). Also, the PI in this new lab is an MD and seems to have a better understanding of med schools. He also told me that I could take time off if I need to retake the MCAT. I did already tell this PI that I'd join his lab, and someone sent me paperwork to start, but I think I could still pull out if I wanted to. I'm going back and forth on this, and I need to make a decision. Any suggestions?
I need to make a final decision on which lab I will be joining for my 2 year IRTA job. I have the choice of returning to the same lab I worked in as an SIP student, or joining this new lab I interviewed with. To be honest, I am more drawn to the research in my old lab. However, this new lab also does interesting research (but I'd say I'm more attracted to my old lab). I just feel like this new lab might be a little better in terms of environment (the PI seems to be more focused on the learning aspect of the program). Also, the PI in this new lab is an MD and seems to have a better understanding of med schools. He also told me that I could take time off if I need to retake the MCAT. I did already tell this PI that I'd join his lab, and someone sent me paperwork to start, but I think I could still pull out if I wanted to. I'm going back and forth on this, and I need to make a decision. Any suggestions?
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How do you know if you qualify for the increased salary? I saw the pay chart, but do the extra years of experience only count if they're done after undergrad? I will have done 3.5 years of research in my undergrad career, so I'm hoping it'll count for something...
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Your years of experience qualify you. The pay raise is for 2 years+ of research experience, regardless of undergrad status.
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In my institute they only count if done after undergrad. Just ask your PI.
From the OITE website "Stipend Information: The stipends for trainees are adjusted yearly; the level depends on prior experience acquired AFTER completion of the bachelor's degree. For details, see the Trainee Stipends page."
Yeah I second this ^, also a current IRTA
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Thanks for your help, everyone!! I have a PI who extending an "informal" offer to join his lab and he is alright with me starting in August and knows that I am planning to only stay one year. He is asking me if I need more time to think before I decide and if not we would start the formal process. However I have not been interviewed by him and have only had contact with him through our communication. Would it be alright to tell him that I would like to contact the other post-bac of the lab first to get their opinion on the lab, or should I just do that without telling him first and just say that I need a couple days to think? My issue with the first option is that I want a true representation of what the lab is like from the postbac and if I tell the PI beforehand that I will contact the postbac, he might prime the postbac to give a good impression. However if I do that without telling the PI I am worried it will seem shady/going behind their back? Any advice would be very much appreciated!
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Has anyone who is part of the NIH IRTA program heard of how the recent budget cuts will be affecting this program?
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deleted647690
Yeah I'm worried about this too
I have unofficially accepted an offer from my PI, but I haven't signed any paperwork yet. Do you think it would be unreasonable for me to ask him if he thinks this will alter my plans for staying for 2 years?
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There have been no budget cuts. There has been a proposal by the White House and Congress decides whether there is a cut and how big it might be. Likely, it will affect the program in the future. However, any budget changes are unlikely to affect this year's postbaccs.
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My bad I meant the proposed budget cuts! The reason why I am worried is because I was thinking about applying to the NIH IRTA program a year from now so I'm assuming whatever changes that happen will be relevant at that time. I guess no one can really know what will happen, but have you heard anything from people who run the program?
Also is it possible to start as an NIH intern in mid August and then leave at the end of July to become an intern, or do you have to spend a full calendar year as an intern?
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My understanding is the minimum time for an IRTA position is 9 months but @Lost In Transcription knows more than I do on that end.
I've heard nothing from the leadership or in the news specifically about the IRTA program. I suspect nobody really knows what will happen. A 20% cut to the NIH is obviously going to impact absolutely everything. But if funding stays stagnant, then nothing at all could happen.
Like everything else that involves the US govt at the moment, all bets are off.
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Haha no kidding, thanks!
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I highly suggest doing this. It is very important to make sure you can fit in. Lots of postbacs (including myself) did not do this, and it can be detrimental. Most PIs view that as "proactive and responsible behavior", and if they take issue...that should give you enough info.
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1) Minimum contracts are 1 year. No more, no less. However, it is common for postbacs to "terminate" a month or two early on either their 1st or 2nd year to move for schools. Talk to your PI. 2 year postbacs have less to worry about.
2) The IRTA positions are technically contractor positions, not federal FTE positions, and are intramural (as opposed to extramural), so they are unlikely to be affected. However, there will certainly not be a surplus of PIs willing to hire lots of postbacs, because it comes out of their lab pockets. I would not worry too much- people here are trying to shield the younger, more bleary eyed trainees, from PIs to OITE to Collins himself. There will be very hard times ahead if the cut goes through (and campus is incredibly somber currently), but it is in a way like a working class dad finding out he lost his job- the parents are quietly and nervously trying to pretend like nothing is wrong, basically.
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Yep.
And all the kids are wandering around, knowing this week's food might be the last they have for awhile, hearing whispers in the hall, though the adults still all have tired smiles and assurances that it's all going to be okay.
Watching their coworkers cry in the hall as they realize the staff scientist position is probably no longer available that they had been basically promised once continuing resolution had passed...and worked their whole life at the NIH towards.
Low level, at best, anxiety and some sort of profound feelings of dejection and dismissal. It's amazing how jobs and lives matter unless it's federal jobs- people who give their lives for the betterment of Americans at large, taking a huge pay cut usually.
But that's just for now, hopefully. And only for some departments/institutes. Once it gets sorted out, all will be happy and well and hopeful as usual. So don't get down about it, potential postbacs haha. Science goes through these phases. Also, the NIH has ALWAYS had bipartisan support, and actually, Republican presidents usually fund it more. I think there will be a bloodbath if the NIH budget gets truly cut, and Big Pharma is lobbying against the cut as well. I anticipate this will all get brushed under the rug, for the NIH, at least.
DON'T WORRY EVERYONE. Haha.
