Click on Apply below to start your application. An initial review of applications will occur on July 1, 2026. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis throughout the 2026 calendar year, and selections made as projects for participation become available.

This postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ORIVA (Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application).This project will be part of the NIH Director’s newest Office of Research Innovation, Validation and Application (ORIVA) and aims to train the participant on how Novel Alternative (to animal research) Methods that are based on human biology could accelerate innovation and achieve goal-driven deliverables to help human health and address chronic diseases. ORIVA will coordinate NIH-wide efforts to develop, validate, and scale the use of human-based, non-animal approaches across NIH biomedical research. ORIVA will serve as a hub for interagency coordination and regulatory translation for public health protection. New and emerging technologies have begun to allow researchers to study health and disease using human information, creating alternative methods to yield replicable, translatable, and efficient results either alone or in combination with animal models. These technologies include (but not limited to):

• Organoids, tissue chips, and other in vitro systems that allow scientists to model human disease and capture human variability and patient-specific characteristics.
• Computational models which simulate complex biological human systems, disease pathways, and drug interactions.
• Real-world data that allow scientists to study health outcomes in humans at community and population levels.

What will I be doing?

The participant will learn the latest technological developments and research on existing and/or new human-based (both experimental and computational) models and application for chronic human diseases with the ultimate objective of cultivating future scientific leaders through mentored experiences. The participant will learn parameters that drive excellence in a particular scientific area and how complex, multi-disciplinary and multi-investigator driven projects develop specific scientific objectives and deliver defined goals. This will involve both human capital management and understanding and provide direction to specific scientific initiatives in the field of human-based Novel Alternative Methods.  

Why should I apply?

As a participant in a STEM research participation program, you will learn about different NIH support mechanisms and different collaborative research programs involving NIH, how to use various NIH databases and modalities for data analysis, how to identify metrics and key indicators needed to evaluate any program, how to compare success between different types of collaborative research programs, and how to make recommendations for future programs based on the available data, under the guidance of a mentor.

Where will I be located?

Fellows are expected to be fully engaged, either in-person or hybrid. In-person or hybrid location is Bethesda, MD.

What financial provisions will I receive?

The selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend to help offset living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by NIH officials and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. In addition, NIH may provide a health insurance supplement to cover the monthly premium costs if you elect the ORAU/ORISE health insurance plan, as necessary.

What is the length of the appointment?

The appointment will initially be for one year renewable annually for a total of four additional years upon recommendation of NIH and is contingent on the availability of funds. 

When are selections made?

An initial review of applications will occur on July 1, 2026. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis throughout the 2026 calendar year, and selections made as projects for participation become available.

What is the Nature of the Appointment?

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participants do not become employees of NIH, DOE, ORISE, nor ORAU, and there are no employment-related benefits.

The qualified candidate must be 18 years or older at the time of application and should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. The degree must have been received within the last five years of the appointment start date. Current graduate students who are nearing degree completion may apply but must have completed their degrees by the start of the fellowship.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

A completed application consists of:

• A complete Zintellect profile.
• A program specific application submitted in Zintellect.
• Transcript(s) – Submit a copy of your most recent official transcript. For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic record printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted to complete the application requirement, if you do not have a copy of your official transcript at the time of application. The transcript or academic record must include the name of the academic institution, name of the student, courses completed/in progress, grades and degree expected/awarded. A copy of your official transcript and/or letter showing proof of your degree may be required prior to starting the appointment. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. 
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list.
• One Recommendation - Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least one recommendation in order to submit the application, but up to three are encouraged. You are encouraged to request a recommendation from professionals who can speak to your abilities and potential for success, as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Recommendations submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendations must be submitted before your application can be reviewed.

All documents submitted must be in English or include an official English translation. All social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth should be removed (blanked out or blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.

If you have questions, contact us at NIHprograms@orau.org. Please include the reference code NIH-DPCPSI-ORIVA-NAM-2026 for this opportunity in your email.

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• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (11 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age

I affirm that I have received my Doctoral degree within the last five years or am currently enrolled in a PhD program. If currently enrolled, I understand that my degree must be received before the appointment start date.