Emerging Leaders in Data Science Fellowship

Organization
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Reference Code
NIH-NIAID-2019-0004
How to Apply

A complete application consists of:

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to NIHprograms@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

Application Deadline
2/18/2019 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

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 of conducting and supporting research to understand, treat, and prevent infectious and immune-mediated diseases. NIAID has made a significant investment in basic and clinical research projects that 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 for data generated by NIAID intramural and extramural research communities and has expanded its activities in data management systems, bioinformatics resource centers, and data repositories that have provided the broad scientific community with user-friendly interfaces for public access to data and analytic tools. The extramural program, which accounts for about 80% of NIAID’s 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 these 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 (of value) generated by NIAID extramural and intramural programs and projects. To begin to address challenges and opportunities in data science, NIAID has established an Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies (ODSET) to lead the coordination, planning and implementation of bioinformatics and related technologies activities across NIAID. The NIAID Emerging Leaders in Data Science Fellowship Program is a principal initiative for ODSET. NIAID has established this fellowship to develop a cadre of talented data scientists who have a keen interest in applying their bioinformatics and data science expertise to advance research on infectious and immune-mediated diseases. 

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, bioinformatics strategies and computational platforms and tool development to study infectious, immunological, and allergic diseases in both extramural and intramural divisions at NIAID. Appointments will be for one year, with a second year option. The program is rotational in design, with participants performing 2 – 3 month rotation-based projects throughout NIAID’s intramural and extramural programs. NIAID actively encourages fellows to partake in a variety of developmental assignments during their fellowship to broaden their perspectives on NIAID and NIH’s missions, 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. 

ORISE is continuing normal program operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This opportunity will be offered as long as the NIH Laboratory is able to complete the onboarding process and ensure a meaningful experience to participants. We encourage you to apply and submit your application as soon as possible. Updates to this opportunity will be provided on this page as needed.

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 Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of NIAID contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at NIAID in the Bethesda, MD, area. Participants do not become employees of NIH, NIAID, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 15, 2019

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.

 

Qualifications

The qualified candidate must have received a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in the relevant fields. 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.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 7/15/2019 12:00:00 AM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (16 )
    • Engineering (6 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (2 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )

ORAU is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability); visit the ORAU website for required employment notices.