NIH Postbac IRTA Interview?

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dietsprite

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Hi! For those of you who have gone through with a NIH Postbac IRTA interview, what was it like? What kinds of questions did your interviewer ask, and who interviewed you- a PI, a postdoc, or whom? Also, how long did it take post-interview to find out if you got accepted?

Any information would be much appreciated! Thank you!
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You will probably mostly be interviewed by current IRTAs!! and the head of the lab.

Really the process is completely individual to the lab. They each do it their own way. Tremendous variation.

I would expect that the one thing in common in all the labs is that the interview is very important to whether you will be accepted.

Good luck, it is a terrific opportunity!!!
 
Whoa! I'm about to submit my app to the program and I didn't know it involved an interview. Is this so for all the labs?
The site says there's no definitive deadline. Is there a non-definitive deadline, though? I just need my LORs and my Personal Statement.
 
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I was actually in the DC area over the summer. so i basically walked around, picked some labs that were doing research that I was interested in and walked in. I spoke to three lab heads, and ended up getting two offers after emailing them my resume and finishing up the application. It was a very informal and relaxed process. based on my own personal experience the NIH is the has been the ideal post bac program. there is a great pre-health/medicine advisor who actually knows what he is talking about and the offer discounts on a Kaplan course, thought i wouldn't recommend kaplan. plus free healthcare and they cover commuting expenses.

hope that helps
 
Having been an IRTA, I do not recommend relying on the formal application process by itself. You need to make direct, personal contact with labs you are interested in. This is NOT a heavily bureaucratic process, it is personal to each lab. They are each their own kingdom.

Some labs have 2 IRTAs, some have 15 or more. Some rely on the NIH process to find their IRTAs, some don't, and some use a combination of the NIH applicant pool and word of mouth, personal contacts.

I assume they all require an interview, though. They are stuck with you for 2 years, so they want to make sure they want to work with you!!!
 
its not necessarily for two years. the program lasts up to two years. it can be for a year or less
 
Slowbutsteady, it's a one year program and you can extend it for another year if you wanted to.

I am applying to this as well for my year off! Quick question: did anyone start contacting PIs before their application was complete? I'm waiting for my letter writers to finish writing the letters currently. Other than that, I'm pretty much ready to start contacting PIs (have to make some minor tweaks to my cover letter).

I mean, would it be too weird if I just emailed them about finding their lab interesting and ask them if they're willing to take IRTAs w/o the online application or my LORs being complete? Or is it a somewhat commonplace occurence?

I'm really excited for this program!
 
my PI informally accepted me without me completing, but in order to actually participate in the program you have to complete the application.
 
Kaushik said:
Slowbutsteady, it's a one year program and you can extend it for another year if you wanted to.

I am applying to this as well for my year off! Quick question: did anyone start contacting PIs before their application was complete? I'm waiting for my letter writers to finish writing the letters currently. Other than that, I'm pretty much ready to start contacting PIs (have to make some minor tweaks to my cover letter).

I mean, would it be too weird if I just emailed them about finding their lab interesting and ask them if they're willing to take IRTAs w/o the online application or my LORs being complete? Or is it a somewhat commonplace occurence?

I'm really excited for this program!
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Nope, some labs require a 2-year commitment. Mine did. Again, each lab has its own rules!!
 
Kaushik said:
Slowbutsteady, it's a one year program and you can extend it for another year if you wanted to.

I am applying to this as well for my year off! Quick question: did anyone start contacting PIs before their application was complete? I'm waiting for my letter writers to finish writing the letters currently. Other than that, I'm pretty much ready to start contacting PIs (have to make some minor tweaks to my cover letter).

I mean, would it be too weird if I just emailed them about finding their lab interesting and ask them if they're willing to take IRTAs w/o the online application or my LORs being complete? Or is it a somewhat commonplace occurence?

I'm really excited for this program!
Click to expand...

Nope, some labs require a 2-year commitment. Mine did. Again, each lab has its own rules!!

And yes, email them individually. But you'll still have to do the NIH app.
 
To successful applicants: any tips on writing the cover letter?
 
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so i am aware that the interviews vary depending on the lab, but for those of you who did the interview, what questions did they ask you? i'm just trying to see how i should prepare. thanks!
 
Sorry, lost your pm.

There is nothing special, I don't think, to prepare. They will ask you about what you've done and why you want to be an IRTA, why you are interested in the stuff their lab does, and what your plans are. Typical stuff, I think.

In my lab most of the application process, including the interviews, was handled by the current IRTAs, the ones at the end of year one. They will be working with the new IRTAs, so they need to like them! You will also interview with docs and post-docs.
 
Thanks slowbutsteady for your reply. How in depth do I need to know/understand my prospective PI's own research? Will any questions about my comprehension of their research come up in the interview; at least did that happen for you?
 
I'm working on my app now and was wondering how exactly to go about contacting PIs? From the information I can gather the best way is to look into labs and research being conducted now and contact those PIs.
But how do I go about looking for these researchers, their projects and most importantly their contact info?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.
THANKS!
 
basically you can look at the individual institutes websites, and they should have a list of their labs and the research going on in them. the lab page will almost always have the PI's contact information.
 
hey,

i am interested in applying for the IRTA posbacc program too. I am planning to travel to tour the area and go talk with the PI of the labs that I would be interested in. Can I ask what was the process like when some of you make direct process?? I am an undergrad at UCSD and worked at salk institute and now doing research at a scripps research institute. Graduating soon and is really interested in this program. It would be good if get some advice.
 
ilovepsyc87 said:
hey,

i am interested in applying for the IRTA posbacc program too. I am planning to travel to tour the area and go talk with the PI of the labs that I would be interested in. Can I ask what was the process like when some of you make direct process?? I am an undergrad at UCSD and worked at salk institute and now doing research at a scripps research institute. Graduating soon and is really interested in this program. It would be good if get some advice.
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Well, be aware that some/many of the labs require a 2-year commitment. And you can't mess with them on that.

The experience varies from lab to lab, both in the application process and the actual experience. It is def not one size fits all.

I got a poster and a pub out of the experience and amazing research and clinical experience. I would choose a lab in which you will have patient contact as part of the research. It is very rewarding and helps a lot with the med school app process. All my interviewers talked endlessly about my NIH experiences.

I think my lab has almost 100% acceptance rate to med school for its IRTAs. Some choose PhD instead.

And they give complete free reign with all your interview absences, since they are really pulling for you in the process.

Good luck. You will love the experience!!
 
slowbutsteady said:
Well, be aware that some/many of the labs require a 2-year commitment. And you can't mess with them on that.

The experience varies from lab to lab, both in the application process and the actual experience. It is def not one size fits all.

I got a poster and a pub out of the experience and amazing research and clinical experience. I would choose a lab in which you will have patient contact as part of the research. It is very rewarding and helps a lot with the med school app process. All my interviewers talked endlessly about my NIH experiences.

I think my lab has almost 100% acceptance rate to med school for its IRTAs. Some choose PhD instead.

And they give complete free reign with all your interview absences, since they are really pulling for you in the process.

Good luck. You will love the experience!!
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks so much for the a for the helpful information. 🙂 Can I ask how long did u stay for the postbac? Do the PI's make it clear that they want a two year commitment? Because i might just want to do 1-1.5 years. And which department did you work in? I really want to work in the mental health department.
 
ilovepsyc87 said:
Hey, thanks so much for the a for the helpful information. 🙂 Can I ask how long did u stay for the postbac? Do the PI's make it clear that they want a two year commitment? Because i might just want to do 1-1.5 years. And which department did you work in? I really want to work in the mental health department.
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Well, they did let me do the first year a bit less than full time because I was taking lots of post bacc courses too. And the second year was my app year, so i had to leave for a lot of interviews. Most labs will try to work around your needs because they want you to succeed!!!

Not sure ALL the labs require 2 years and their flexibility is completely case by case. These labs are fiefdoms within the NIH umbrella and they do what they want, how they want.

They also vary tremendously as to how much hands on clinical and research experience you get, so talk to the current IRTAs about that, if you have the luxury of choice.

I don't want to blow my anonymity here because I am often obnoxious, but there are a lot of fantastic IRTA opportunities in NIMH, so def check them out.
 
I'm a current IRTA and have loved my experience. Interviews are typically laid back, they just want to make sure you're a good fit for the lab and have a genuine interest in the research. That has been my experience at least, but as everyone has said labs differ greatly.

So yes do initiate contact in labs where you are interested because there are thousands of applicants and it's difficult to sift through to find a potential candidate who is interested in their lab.

Feel free to PM me for more details.
 
The attire for males was discussed but the consensus was be safe with a suit. However, I don't have a suit... lol could I just use khakis and a dress shirt w/o a tie?
Also, I'm dropping $300 dollars for a plane ticket just to interview. Do you think my chances are decent? because it would be a waste if I came home empty handed.
 
I think unless you bungle something or get caught in a blatant lie, you'll probably be fine, the PI wouldn't waste the time to interview you if they didn't feel you were a very good candidate. Also just something to note you can participate in clinical trials to supplement your income but most of the best/most profitable ones are run by the NIMH, and if you are an IRTA at the NIMH you can't participate in them.
 
dang025 said:
I think unless you bungle something or get caught in a blatant lie, you'll probably be fine, the PI wouldn't waste the time to interview you if they didn't feel you were a very good candidate. Also just something to note you can participate in clinical trials to supplement your income but most of the best/most profitable ones are run by the NIMH, and if you are an IRTA at the NIMH you can't participate in them.
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I hope my chances are good but they told me they've already interviewed "several other candidates" and are looking to make a decision soon.

Oh yeah I don't care too much about the money. I meant empty handed as in without a job... haha. But so as far as dress is concerned.. I can just wear a shirt and khakis? They want me to come to the lab meeting so I think it'll be overkill in a suit and tie?
 
What was the name of your PI and from which branch?
 
dude u just bumped a year old thread
 
I just got accepted into the NIH Postbac IRTA starting in June/2011 working at the NCI in Bethesda MD. Any advice?

I got my interview over the phone with my PI...
 
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Is anyone in the situation where PIs have initially contacted you in a possible position but to only put the position on hold due to the pending government budget? Do you all think it's a NIH-wide thing or just certain labs?
 
Naijaman24: My best advice to you would be to HAVE FUN with it! 🙂 Enjoy your time here. Take advantage of all of the interesting lectures and events the NIH has and make sure to explore DC and all of the historical/cultural things that happen here.


satellite8: I can't speak as an expert on this, but I do know that each branch is having to struggle with budget cuts. I work with the NIMH and we were just discussing this at our recent meeting. Post-bac positions are usually the easiest to cut since it saves them a bit of money and we aren't that vital...especially since in the summer they get a lot of special volunteers that are working for free. Make sure to keep in touch though and follow-up with that PI. And it wouldn't hurt to keep searching. Best of luck!
 
House MD said:
Naijaman24: My best advice to you would be to HAVE FUN with it! 🙂 Enjoy your time here. Take advantage of all of the interesting lectures and events the NIH has and make sure to explore DC and all of the historical/cultural things that happen here.


satellite8: I can't speak as an expert on this, but I do know that each branch is having to struggle with budget cuts. I work with the NIMH and we were just discussing this at our recent meeting. Post-bac positions are usually the easiest to cut since it saves them a bit of money and we aren't that vital...especially since in the summer they get a lot of special volunteers that are working for free. Make sure to keep in touch though and follow-up with that PI. And it wouldn't hurt to keep searching. Best of luck!
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I noticed you said you worked for the NIMH. I'm trying to get into a lab as a postbacc IRTA, and I want to do research on the brain. What kind of research do you do? I finished my portfolio but do you know any specific PIs who research neurobiology of learning/memory that I could email? thanks
 
jerrywheat said:
I noticed you said you worked for the NIMH. I'm trying to get into a lab as a postbacc IRTA, and I want to do research on the brain. What kind of research do you do? I finished my portfolio but do you know any specific PIs who research neurobiology of learning/memory that I could email? thanks
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Hi jerrywheat. Sorry for the super late reply. I mainly did clinical work (patient scheduling, interviews, etc) and a lot of literature searching for my supervisor as well as data entry and data organization/upkeep.
Unfortunately, I don't know any PIs off the top of my head that do neurobio type of stuff, but I know there are several. Your best bet is to go through the NIMH website, read up on the labs and email the PIs. Good luck!
 
I was offered a position in an NIH lab that does not do research that I am interested in nor does it involve wet lab work. I have tried for the past three months to find a lab by contacting PIs and people I have met at meetings to help me find a position.

My question is should I take the position - assuming its for one year - and make the best of a bad economy (or personal fault) or decline and continue seeking other options. Which right now also seem bleak.

Thanks for your response.
 
Honestly, I would go ahead and accept the position at the NIH. Having the NIH name and experience, regardless of what exactly you were actually doing, will help you in the long run (in my opinion/personal experience). At the least, once you are on the inside of the NIH you might have better chances of connecting with PIs and, while slim, the option of switching labs is also available. I think you might as well get your foot in the door. My job wasn't the most exciting and I wasn't all that psyched about it, but I still went to work every day and did my job to the best of my ability. Personally, I would not give up an opportunity to live/work/play in the DC area. It is a wonderful experience. If work sucks the city is great. Just look at it as a platform from which you can launch your career. I'm pretty sure my experience there helped me get into medical school...In the end it's up to you. Good Luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions 😎

BioLover04 said:
I was offered a position in an NIH lab that does not do research that I am interested in nor does it involve wet lab work. I have tried for the past three months to find a lab by contacting PIs and people I have met at meetings to help me find a position.

My question is should I take the position - assuming its for one year - and make the best of a bad economy (or personal fault) or decline and continue seeking other options. Which right now also seem bleak.

Thanks for your response.
Click to expand...
 
BioLover04 said:
I was offered a position in an NIH lab that does not do research that I am interested in nor does it involve wet lab work. I have tried for the past three months to find a lab by contacting PIs and people I have met at meetings to help me find a position.

My question is should I take the position - assuming its for one year - and make the best of a bad economy (or personal fault) or decline and continue seeking other options. Which right now also seem bleak.

Thanks for your response.
Click to expand...

Take it.. my NIH research job was very boring, but it will look good on your resume and be strong research to talk about at interviews. It will be a relaxing year off and a great place to meet other researchers and an academic environment. Do it!
 
Take it... I work in the NCI and it is an amazing experience. Even if you don't like your project or lab there are tons of other opportunities and a lot of potential for networking. It is up to you to take advantage of the experience.
 
Take it. I contacted tons of PIs and thought I did a good job of showing personal interest in their work but still didn't get a single job offer. I try to look at my situation positivley because I will now save much more money and get some great clinical experience but I'd much rather be moving to DC.

Take it, unless you have something else you would enjoy doing.
 
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