National Cancer Institute


Research Positions at the National Cancer Institute(1)

The National Cancer Institute recognizes that one of the most valuable resources to be drawn upon in the fight against cancer is the wealth of scientific talent available in the U.S. and around the world. In an effort to attract and maintain the highest quality scientific staff, multiple personnel systems are used: the Civil Service, the PHS Commissioned Corps, and Title 42 including the Staff Fellowship Program and the NIH Visiting Program. Other special programs are available for those who qualify.

I. Position: Civil Service
Annual Salary: Minimum starting: Ph.D. - $55,969(2) (GS-13/1)

Physicians - $66,088(3) (GS-13/1)

Eligibility: Appropriate advanced education, experience and knowledge needed by NCI to conduct its programs.
Mechanism of Entry: NCI Delegated Examining Unit, Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or the Administrative Resource Center (ARC).
II. Position: PHS Commissioned Corps
Annual Salary: Starting with special pay plus bonus based on individual's qualifications.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen under age 44 who meets Commissioned Corps medical requirements and passes initial suitability investigation.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact: Recruitment/ODB

5600 Fishers Lane, Room 4A-18
Rockville, MD 20857-0001
(301) 594-3360

e-mail RECRUIT@PSC.GOV

III. Position: Title 42 (SBRS)
Positions: Senior Investigator (position that is approved for tenured status and therefore controls independent resources and research).

Investigator (position that is approved for 'tenure track' status; individual is on a time-limited appointment).

Annual Salary: Position is at or equivalent to at least the GS-13 level.
Eligibility: Physician or other doctoral degree equivalent.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
Position: Staff Scientist (provides senior-level research support to a Principal Investigator or research team).
Annual Salary: Position is at or equivalent to at least the GS-13 level.
Eligibility:

Physician or other doctoral degree equivalent and position has been approved for Staff Scientist status.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
Position: Staff Clinician (provides clinical and medical care and service to Division/Branch clinical protocols and activities)
Annual Salary: Position is at or equivalent to at least the GS-13 level.
Eligibility: Physician and position has been approved for Staff Clinical status.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
IV. Position Title 42 - Research/Clinical Fellowships
This type of fellowship is appropriate for U.S. Citizens, resident aliens, or non-U.S. citizens who are on time-limited appointments and have 8 years or less of NIH nontenured service.
Position: Staff Fellow (time-limited appointment with initial appointments typically made for 2 years).
Annual Salary: Physicians: $31,000 - $58,000

Other Doctoral: $30,000 - $51,000

Eligibility: Physician or other doctoral degree equivalent and less than 3 years of relevant professional level postdoctoral research experience. U.S. citizen or resident alien.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
Position: Visiting Associate (time-limited appointment with 2 year initial appointment possible depending on visa restrictions).
Annual Salary: Physicians: $31,000 - $58,000
Eligibility: 3 years of postdoctoral experience or training with appropriate knowledge needed by NCI. Non-U.S. citizen .
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
Position: Senior Staff Fellow (time-limited appointment with initial appointment typically made for 2 years).
Annual Salary: Physicians: $41,000 - $81,000

Other Doctoral: $37,000 - $68,000

Eligibility: Physician or other doctoral degree equivalent and 3 to 7 years of relevant professional level postdoctoral research experience. U.S. citizen or resident alien.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
Position: Visiting Scientist (time-limited appointment with 2 year initial appointment possible depending on visa restrictions).
Annual Salary: $44,000 - $95,000
Eligibility: 6 years of postdoctoral experience with appropriate specific experience and knowledge needed. Non-U.S. citizen.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
V. Position: Visiting Fellow (time-limited fellowship award with program time limitation of 5

years depending on visa restrictions).

Annual Salary: First year stipends range from $29,000 - $35,000 based on years of postdoctoral experience.
Eligibility: 5 years or less of relevant postdoctoral experience or training. Non-U.S. citizen.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC
VI. Clinical Associate Program
Position: Clinical Associate (time-limited appointment with initial appointment for 2 years with the possibility of 1-year extension).
Annual Salary: $38,500 (first year), $40,500 (second year), $42,500 (third year)

Salaries for individuals appointed under the Commissioned Corps program are established on an individual basis.

Eligibility: Graduate of accredited medical or osteopathic school and completion of internship. Completion of 2 or 3 years of clinical training beyond the M.D. degree. Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident. NOTE: Foreign M.D.s on the J-1 visa may apply and will be considered under the Visiting Associate program.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
VII. Pharmacology Research Associates Training Program (PRAT)
Position: PRAT Fellow (time-limited appointment for 2 years).
Annual Salary: Salary commensurate with other postdoctoral opportunities at the NIH.
Eligibility: Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who have been awarded a doctoral degree. The degree must be in a biomedical or related science and must have been received within the 5 years preceding the date of application.
Mechanism of Entry: Apply to PRAT Program, NIGMS Natcher Building, Room 2AS43

A PRAT Fact sheet is available from the PRAT Program Assistant

(301) 594-3583 or fax (301) 480-2802

VIII. Position: Special Expert (time limited appointment not to exceed 4 years).
Annual Salary: Salary range is equivalent to GS- 13/1 to maximum of Level IV of the Executive Schedule.
Eligibility: Applicants shall possess outstanding experience and ability to justify recognition as authorities in their occupational field.
Mechanism of Entry: Final approval rests with the Division Director or Deputy Director, NCI depending on recommended action.
IX. Special Programs
Position: Guest Researcher
Annual Salary: Established by sponsoring organization.
Eligibility: A scientist, engineer, student, or other scientifically trained specialist who would benefit from the use of NCI facilities in furthering his or her research. A Guest Researcher cannot perform services for NCI and must be in a valid visa status.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: Research Scholars Program (provides up to 4 years of intramural support for initiation of an independent research program in the NCI intramural environment, with an opportunity for 2 additional years of support to continue the research program at an extramural institution)
Annual Salary: Intramural Phase: Approximately $200,000 per year including salaries and no more than 2 additional support positions and up to $22,500 per year per person for research supplies and services. Support for equipment, animals, etc. are negotiated separately.
Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizen, (non-citizen national) or individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence. An individual with a research health professional degree at the time of award, but with no more than 5 years of post-doc experience at the time of application; a current intramural NCI post-doc fellow applying for placement in a laboratory/branch in which he/she has not previously trained.
Mechanism of Entry: Response to an annual RFA announcement, available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, or on the NCI Cancer Training Branch website:

(http://camp.nci.nih.gov/ctb/main/) This announcement describes the specific research areas of interest to the NCI.

Inquiries on programmatic issues may be directed to:

Dr. Lester S. Gorelic
Executive Plaza North
Room 520
6130 Executive Blvd. MSC 7390
Bethesda, MD 20892-7390
Phone: (301) 496-8580
Fax: (301) 402-4472
E-mail: lg2h@nih.gov

Position: Commissioned Officer Junior Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP) (operates year-round; maximum 120 days per 12-month period)
Annual Salary: Receive the basic pay quarters (if appropriate), and subsistence allowance of a Junior Assistant Health Service Officer (pay grade 0-1).
Eligibility: U.S. citizen. Must have completed one year of study in a medical, dental, or veterinary school or a minimum of two years of baccalaureate program in a health related field such as engineering, nursing, pharmacy, etc. May be enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in a health related field. Physical requirements of PHS Commissioned Corps. Plans to return to college.
Mechanism of Entry: Apply to Director, Division of Commissioned Personnel

Attention: Jr. COSTEP Coordinator
5600 Fishers Lane
Parklawn Building
Room 4-35
Rockville, MD 20857-0001

Position: Commissioned Officer Senior Training and Extern Program (COSTEP)

(competitive program to assist students during final year of professional school in return for an agreement to work for PHS after graduation for twice the time sponsored i.e., an 18-month employment commitment for 9 months of financial support)

Annual Salary: Receive basic pay, quarters, subsistence, and VHA allowance at rate of 0-1 for entire year in school.
Eligibility: U.S. citizen.
Mechanism of Entry: Apply to Director, Division of Commissioned Personnel

Attention: Senior COSTEP Coordinator
5600 Fishers Lane
Parklawn Building
Room 4A15
Rockville, MD 20857-0001

Position: Fogarty International Center's Scholars Program
Annual Salary: Receive position, salary, and necessary resources, including office space and support, from one or more ICs.
Eligibility: International reputation and productivity demonstrated ability in a biomedical field. Scholar must be in a valid visa status.
Mechanism of Entry : Nominations are submitted to Office of Intramural Research, Bldg. 1, Rm. 140, by Institute Director or Chairs of Special Interest Groups.
Position: Student Temporary Employment Program (provides clerical and research support employment opportunities for individuals who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree seeking student who is taking at least a half-time academic/vocational or technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, or 2 year or 4 year college or university or graduate or professional school).
Annual Salary: Salary is commensurate with duties assigned and student's education and /or experience.
Eligibility: The student must maintain a good academic standing and must be at least 16 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen lawfully admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact NCI Human Resource Management and Consulting Branch

Staffing Management Section
EPS, Room 550
6120 Executive Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20892-7211 or
by phone at (301) 402-2812, for an application package. No deadline required for applying. If applying for a research support position, a transcript copy is required. Applications are maintained for the school year for high school students, all other students for 90 days. Consideration beyond the specified time frames will require submission of an updated application package to the above address. Current STEP vacancies are located on the following website : http://list.nih.gov/archives/nihjobs-1.html

Position: Special Volunteer Program (volunteer service may be accepted for direct patient care, clerical assignments, technical assistance, or any other activities necessary to carry out the authorized functions of the NCI without compensation)
Annual Salary: N/A
Eligibility: Volunteer must be in a valid visa status.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director or Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest or ARC.
Position: Student Career Experience Program (provides experience that is directly related to the student's educational program and career goals)
Annual Salary: Salary is commensurate with duties assigned and student's education and /or experience.
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years of age. Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree seeking student in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, or 2 year or 4 year college or university, graduate, or professional school. The student must maintain a good academic standing. The student must be recommended for the assignment by the student's education program coordinator and be enrolled in the program. Must be enrolled in a field of study directly related to the assigned work with at least half-time academic/vocational or technical course load. Must be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen lawfully admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed. Students who have met all the requirements of the Program may be noncompetitively converted to term, career, or career-conditional appointments within 120 days after completion of their degree. U.S. citizenship is required for conversion to permanent employment.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact NCI Human Resource Management and Consulting Branch

Staffing Management Section
6120 Executive Blvd
EPS, Room 550
Rockville, MD 20892-7211 or
by phone at (301)402-2812, for additional information. As positions become available, vacancies will be posted at local area schools, in addition to being posted on the following website:http://list.nih.gov/archives/nihjobs-1.html

X. Other Training Programs
Position: Cancer Research Training Award ( CRTA the NCI universal, umbrella fellowship program for domestic fellows.)
Annual Salary: A set stipend amount is provided for each category described below.
Eligibility: Applicant must be available for fellowship training on a full-time basis for a minimum of 2 months, be at least 16 years of age, and be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: CRTA Category 1 Prebaccalaureate
Annual Salary: A set stipend, based on years of education at time of award, ranges from $11,400 for 10th grade in high school to $16,200 for 3rd year undergraduate student.
Eligibility: For selected high school and undergraduate students in good academic standing, engaged in at least half-time academic work.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: CRTA Category 2 Bachelor's Degree
Annual Salary: Annual set stipend, for relevant post-bachelor's experience start at $17,600 to $25,300. A $2,200 increment is provided for those with superior academic achievement (cumulative 3.5 GPA).
Eligibility: Individuals in this category must possess a baccalaureate degree. Graduate, law, or medical school students must be in good academic standing and engaged in at least half-time academic work.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: CRTA Category 3 Master's Degree
Annual Salary: Starting set stipend amounts between $22,000 - $26,400 are determined by relevant experience.
Eligibility: Fellows who have a Master's degree and for individuals who have a Master's degree and are working toward a more advanced degree.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: CRTA Category 4 Doctoral Degree
Annual Salary: First year stipend is $20,900.
Eligibility: For individuals who have completed their course requirements, passed qualifiers, and are formally recognized by the university as a doctoral degree candidate. These individuals will be engaged in a research project for the purpose of developing and writing a thesis.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: CRTA Category 5 Postdoctoral Degree
Annual Salary: Set stipends for first year range from $29,000 - $39,500.
Eligibility: Must be a Ph.D., D.V.M., J.D., or M.D. without direct patient contact. Typically, these fellows will have less than 5 years of postdoctoral experience.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: CRTA Category 6 Medical Degree
Annual Salary: First year stipend amount is based on postgraduate years (PGY) of clinical training leading to an appropriate board eligibility or certification.
Eligibility: For M.D.s engaged in patient care and/or continuing patient contact who have been trained in U.S.-recongized residency programs.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: CRTA Specialized Recruitment Training Programs
Eligibility: Fellows selected from these specialized recruitments are awarded CRTA fellow-ships.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact Division Director of Laboratory/Branch Chief in area of interest.
Position: Cancer Epidemiology and Biostatistics Training Program
Annual Salary: See appropriate CRTA category.
  Eligibility: M.D.s and Ph.D.s with an interest in and an aptitiude for epidemiology and/or biostatistical research in cancer. Ph.D. candidates in approved doctoral programs in epidemiology or biostatistics whose research would be the source of their dissertation. Master's level scientists whose degree is in a discipline related to epidemiology or biostatistics. Must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien who will be eligible for U.S. citizenship within four years.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics' Program Coordinator.
Executive Plaza North, Room 418
6130 Executive Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20892
Position: Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology Training Program
Annual Salary: See appropriate CRTA category.
Eligibility: M.D.s, D.D.S., or D.O. or an accredited doctoral degree in a discipline related to cancer etiology and prevention research (e.g. epidemiology, human or molecular genetics, biostatistics, or the biomedical, public health or behavioral sciences). Foreign medical graduates must have current USMLE or ECFMG certification and appropriate experience.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Human Genetics Program Coordinator.
Executive Plaza North, Room 400
6130 Executive Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20892
Position: Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program
Annual Salary: See appropriate CRTA category.
Eligibility: Must be an M.D., D.D.S., or Ph.D., or other doctoral degree in a related discipline (epidemiology, biostatistics, and the biomedical, nutritional, public health, or behavioral sciences).
Mechanism of Entry: Apply to Program Director, CPFP
Executive Plaza South, Room T41
6120 Executive Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20892
Position: Health Communications Internship Program
Annual Salary: See appropriate CRTA category.
Eligibility: Six month internship period with option of a possible 6 month renewal for students currently enrolled in a graduate school program who wish to pursue an internship prior to completing the requirements for a Master's Degree or Ph.D.
Mechanism of Entry: Applications are due April 1 (for July - December terms) and October 1 (for January - June terms).

HCIP Program Coordinator
OCC/OD/NCI
31 Center Drive, Room 10A28
Bethesda, MD 20892

Position: Technology Transfer Fellowship Program
Annual Salary: See appropriate CRTA category.
Eligibility: Physicians, Ph.D.s, J.D.s, individuals with a Master's Degree in Health Communications, Biomedical Science, Behavioral Science, Computer Science, Informatics, Library Science, Health Education, Marketing, Journalism, English, a graduate degree in Law, or a graduate degree in another discipline with legal/paralegal expertise, with little or no experience or training in technology transfer or communications research but with an interest in these areas.
Mechanism of Entry: Contact following the program in area of interest: Office of Cancer Information, Communication and Education; the Office of Cancer Communications; the Division of Cancer Prevention; the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis; the Office of Science Policy; or the Technology, Development, and Commercialization Branch.

1. Does not necessarily indicate that positions are currently available at the National Cancer Institute.

2.Includes a 1998 locality payment for the Washington Metropolitan and Baltimore areas.

3. Medical Officer (Research), GS-602 Special Rate Scale for 1998.










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