Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigators

The Stadtman Investigator Program was established in 2009 as a mechanism to recruit new investigators to the “in-house” research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) called the Intramural Research Program (IRP). The Stadtman Investigator position is equivalent to a tenure-track assistant professor position in academia.

Unlike many academic searches of limited scope, the Stadtman Investigator Program involves a broad search for applicants conducting research in any area of biomedical science supported by the NIH. Then, once we identify through the search candidates with great promise for conducting important research as an independent investigator, we try to create positions for them in the IRP. Each year, 10 or more new investigators may be hired through the program’s selection process.

The name, Stadtman, honors two eminent scientists, Earl and Thressa Stadtman, who had distinguished research careers of over 50 years each in the IRP.

Application Instructions Frequently Asked Questions Not Currently Accepting Applications

Why the IRP?

The IRP provides a strong and supportive research environment for Stadtman Investigators to establish their research programs. Foremost, all IRP investigators receive full funding for their research, with no expectation to secure external funding. While IRP investigators do not teach in the classroom, they are able to mentor trainees from post-bacs to post-docs in their research groups. The Office of Intramural Training and Education offers extensive programming that supports trainees. IRP investigators have access to state-of-the-art core facilities and opportunities to collaborate with other basic and clinical researchers, including in the Clinical Center, the nation’s largest hospital devoted to clinical research. Formal mentoring is also provided to tenure-track investigators toward successful attainment of tenure.

Selection Process and Timeline

The following provides an outline of the application selection process with an idealized timeline.

Application Submission

Online application system opens on August 1 and closes on September 30.

Application Review (October-December)

Around 25 committees composed of IRP faculty review the applications within their research areas, evaluating each applicant’s research accomplishments, proposed research, and potential for future success as an independent investigator. Applicants may choose up to 2 review committees that most closely match their research interests. Based on its evaluation, each review committee compiles a short list of the most highly rated applicants as potential interview candidates (roughly 25% of reviewed applications). Please note that making the short list does not guarantee an interview.

Application Status Notification (January)

Applicants will receive an email notifying them if they have made the short list of potential interview candidates. Applicants who do not make the short list will also be notified.

**Interviews (January-May*)**

The short lists from all review committees are shared with the 23 NIH institutes and centers that have an internal research component as part of the IRP. One or more of these institutes and centers will directly contact a candidate of interest to schedule an interview. The interview is very similar to the interview for a tenure-track position at academic research institutions in consisting of a research seminar presented by the candidate and other activities such as meetings with faculty, staff, and trainees.

* Applicants on the short lists are eligible to be interviewed for up to 2 years after their selection as potential interview candidates. Shortlisted applicants not receiving an interview within a year after being selected have the option of submitting a new application for the following year’s deadline, while retaining the remaining year of interview eligibility from the previous submission.

Eligibility

The Stadtman Investigator program is intended for early career scientists. Assistant or Associate Professors early in their faculty careers elsewhere are eligible to apply.

Individuals conducting basic, translational, or clinical research in any biomedical field supported by the NIH are eligible to apply. Information about the research being conducted in the IRP can be found here.

Individuals are eligible to apply in multiple years.

Applicants must:

Have a doctoral degree such as MD, PhD, DDS, or DVM.
Have a record of research accomplishments as evidenced by publications in major peer-reviewed journals.
Be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-permanent residents who have or can obtain a valid employment authorization visa.

How to Apply

The online application system will open for application submission on August 1. The application deadline every year is on September 30.

Required documents:

Cover Letter (2 pages maximum)
Curriculum Vitae
Research Statement (4 pages maximum, excluding references)
Three (3) Reference Letters (submitted directly by referees)

Detailed instructions about the application content and submission process can be found by visiting the NIH Office of Intramural Research's Stadtman Investigator Application Instructions page.

Contact Us

Questions about the program or application process, which are not addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions, can be sent to the Stadtman email address at stadtman@nih.gov.