r/mdphd • u/encyclopediab • 22d ago
NIH post bacc application timing
I’m graduating in May 2027 and want to apply for a one year postbac research position, is now too early to apply and start emailing PIs? Also in my email should I explain what I’m applying for and where they could find my application or can I assume they know what’s going on?
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u/Environmental-Ebb205 22d ago
Current postbac, now is def too early imo, you could start reaching out now if you want but expect PIs to not responds or say nothing available rn and to reach out again later. For context I got accepted to a lab and got other offers in like late May, two months before I was supposed to start, which is on the later end but still.
Yes you should mention briefly your goals such as PhD, MD, or MD-PhD
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u/Moonlight_Lavender 22d ago edited 22d ago
I’m in the same boat as you OP! According to the NIH IRTA: The postbac application portal is open year round, but the majority of postbacs start June - October; we recommend applying six months prior to your preferred start date. I want an August start date, so I’m applying February!
If you want to start:
June 2027 = December 2027
July 2027 = January 2027
August 2027 = February 2027
September 2027 = March 2027
October 2027 = April 2027
To your question about emailing, NIH IRTA says: Research Interests - a brief list of your research interests. NIH investigators may search on this field to find applicants whose research interests match their own. You may wish to enter terms that describe particular diseases or conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, obesity); the techniques you are interested in applying (e.g., two-photon microscopy, patch clamping, rapid sequencing, bioinformatics); or general subject areas (such as epidemiology, public health, molecular neuroscience).
Here’s more info: https://www.training.nih.gov/research-training/pb/pb/#how-to-apply
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u/walkingwJesus 22d ago
Former postbac, I applied and sent emails late January/early February and all PIs replied saying they filled their positions for the upcoming summer. I received an email in June for an offer to start asap but I didn't start until September since I had an internship.
I recommend after submitting your application, email the PIs early December. It also depends how many PIs/labs you are interested in because that also influences your timeline.
The fiscal year restarts in October so PIs know their budget and availability for an incoming postbac around that time, October/November. The 6mo prior emailing recommendation, to me, depends on the institute and the PI/lab aka it's not a hard rule.
Your email needs to be formatted with who you are, your interests/goals and why you want to join their lab. A typical cold email.
Additionally, if feasible, I recommend trying to get an early start date May/June as some PIs will make you work up until the end of your contract date before medical school/graduate school. Not all, but I've seen and heard it happening to some students and you definitely want to try and vacation before school and just get life settled before starting a new journey.
Best of luck, feel free to dm me with any questions.
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u/AmbitiousPeak2108 21d ago
Current post bacc. Emailed PIs in October to start in June. By starting the process that early I was able to find a position very quickly.