Data Science Fellowship

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), one of 27 Institutes and Centers making up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has a core mission to conduct and support research to understand, treat, prevent, and diagnose infectious diseases and immune-mediated disorders. NIAID basic and clinical research projects are generating large, diverse and complex data sets including genomics/omics data, clinical data, immune phenotyping assay data, imaging data, and other data sets. Similarly, the infectious and immune-mediated diseases research communities have become a data-intense enterprise. NIAID places a high priority on transforming these data into knowledge to more fully understand pathogen transmission and evolution, pathogen-host interactions, host immune response, and infectious and immune-mediated disease pathogenesis, as well as to develop new and improved diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. 

Over the last 10 years, NIAID has invested in bioinformatics and data science initiatives to better manage, share, and reuse research data, resulting in data coordinating centers, repository and knowledgebase resources, and other efforts to address data science research needs, both intramural and extramural research programs. The extramural program - accounting for about 80% of the annual NIAID budget - funds biomedical research at U.S. and international institutions. The data science needs of the extramural program involve supporting management and analysis of funded programs to improve policies, processes, and scientific priorities with regards to this research portfolio. Approximately 10% of NIAID’s budget supports its intramural program, whose scientists conduct infectious and immune-mediated disease research in laboratories here at NIH. The data science needs of the intramural program involve supporting intramural research activities. 

NIAID recognizes that the institute has a critical need for a robust and cost-effective big data ready environment for data management that allows the maximum use and reuse of data generated by NIAID extramural and intramural programs and projects. Building a workforce with data science expertise is an important step toward addressing these data science challenges and opportunities. NIAID has established the Emerging Leaders in Data Science Fellowship Program to develop a cadre of talented data scientists who have a strong interest in applying their bioinformatics and data science expertise to advance research on infectious and immune-mediated diseases. This fellowship is managed by NIAID's Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies.

As a Research Participant in the NIAID Emerging Leaders in Data Science Fellowship Program, the participant will receive training and hands-on-experience in applying and managing big data sets, bioinformatics strategies and tools to support projects in NIAID's extramural and intramural divisions. Appointments will be for one year, with an option to renew for a second year. The program is rotational in design, with participants conducting 3-4 month rotation-based projects throughout NIAID’s intramural and extramural programs. NIAID actively encourages fellows to participate in a variety of developmental assignments during their fellowship to broaden their perspectives on NIAID's research mission, strengthen managerial and technical competencies, develop a broad understanding of NIAID’s data needs from a variety of views, and further develop leadership abilities. In addition to a stipend, Research Participants will be provided with a travel and training allowance and health benefits. 

Appointments are typically made for one year and are renewable for a total of two years. Stipend rates are established and non-negotiable. Stipends are reported to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as fellowship awards however, no federal income taxes will be withheld. Stipends are paid monthly.

1st year stipend rate: $67,600, $74,880, or $85,020 annually (commensurate with education and experience)

2nd year stipend rate: $70,304, $77,785, or $88,421 annually (commensurate with education and experience)

100% of health insurance premiums are covered for individuals or families, as appropriate.

An annual travel ($3,500) and training ($2,500) allowance is established for each participant for a total of $6,000 annually. Travel and training funds are interchangeable as necessary.

The qualified candidate must have received a master's or doctoral degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. Current students who are close to completing their degrees may apply but must have completed their degrees by the start of the fellowship.

If you have questions, send an email to NIHprograms@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (NIH-NIAID-2020-0004) in your email.