NIH Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum (ONHM) - Postdoctoral Fellowship

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly stipend

Health insurance stipend

Travel reimbursement

Job summary

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) invites applications for two Stetten Scholar fellowships to explore the NIH history and biomedical science with mentorship from NIH researchers and ONHM historians.

Fellows design projects linking historical inquiry with current scientific contexts; appointments run for one year with possible renewal, start Summer 2027 in Bethesda, MD, and require a doctoral degree within five years, U.S.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree earned within five years of the start date.
• U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Able to pass a federal background check.
• Project proposal must demonstrate mastery of historical research methods and readiness for mentored study.

Responsibilities

• Understand and articulate NIH research history and its significance to a general audience.
• Communicate scientific and historical concepts to STEM audiences with clarity and accessibility.
• Present historically grounded insights to professional and academic communities.

Job description

Application Deadline

1/11/2027 11:59:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

Exciting Fellowship Opportunity for Postdocs!

Under its newly relaunched Stetten Scholars program, the Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum (ONHM) is seeking candidates for two opportunities to research significant aspects of the history of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and to learn about the history of biomedical research in the US from subject‑matter experts in NIH’s Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs). One of the opportunities can focus on any aspect of NIH history. The second, sponsored by NIH’s Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) in celebration of ORWH’s 35th anniversary, must focus on research in women’s health. Applicants who propose topics focused on the history of research in women’s health will automatically be considered for both positions.

Project Description

As part of the submission, the applicant will propose a research project centered on a topic of historical importance related to NIH’s contributions to biomedical knowledge and practice. Scholars selected for this opportunity will receive mentorship from at least one biomedical researcher in a relevant NIH ICO as well as from ONHM’s professional historians. Project proposals should be designed to take full advantage of this unique dual‑learning opportunity to combine historical research and an enhanced understanding of scientific inquiry to foster a deeper, richer appreciation of the NIH’s impact on science, medicine, and society.

To learn more about ONHM and its historical resources, visit https://history.nih.gov/ or email us at [e-mail].

What will I be doing?

As An ONHM Stetten Scholar, You Will Learn To

• Understand and Articulate the Historical Significance of NIH Research: Scholars will enhance their ability to analyze and explain the historical importance of a specified area of research initiated, conducted, or overseen by NIH. Projects should include an examination of how NIH research has addressed public, scientific, or governmental concerns over time, in part by identifying new questions, changes, or challenges that emerged as a result of its findings.
• Effectively Communicate Scientific and Historical Concepts to a General Audience: Scholars will master clearly and effectively explaining core scientific, clinical, and/or technical aspects of historically important developments rooted at NIH, especially in addressing audiences without specialized knowledge. This skill includes addressing outcomes such as new and unresolved scientific and technical questions, surprising findings, social and ethical considerations, or major shifts in standards, metrics, methodologies, or expectations. The goal is to make complex historical and scientific insights accessible and engaging for non‑specialists.
• Present Historically and Scientifically Sound Insights to STEM Audiences: Fellows will refine their ability to communicate significant, historically accurate insights about NIH research to sophisticated STEM audiences. Specifically, they will learn to present historical findings in a way that resonates with established professionals and advanced trainees in fields in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by ensuring sound, compelling integration of historical context and scientific rigor. The goal is to make historical context and considerations clear, engaging, and accessible to subject‑matter experts in related scientific and technical fields.

Why should I apply?

Under the guidance of mentors in both historical research and relevant biomedical specialties, you will have the opportunity to develop your research skills as an historian; engage with active scientific and clinical researchers; and gain direct exposure to advanced intellectual techniques, tools, and technologies. This opportunity provides a platform to work with scientific and clinical experts as well as professional historians; enhance your ability to connect with broader audiences regarding biomedical topics; and provide an educational, real‑world experience that can enhance your career path.

Visit ONHM’s website at https://history.nih.gov/ or email the staff at [e-mail] to explore the historical resources related to your research interests.

Where will I be located?

Bethesda, Maryland

What are the provisions?

Participants Will Receive

• A monthly stipend, determined by the Office of NIH History & Stetten Museum.
• Health insurance supplemental allowance, including dental and vision coverage.
• Reimbursement for training‑related travel and conference attendance when program funding allows.

What is the length of the appointment and potential start date?

• Appointments are for one year with potential renewal for one additional year.
• Start dates are flexible and coordinated with the selected candidate and mentors to ensure best outcomes. Selected fellows should plan to begin in the Summer of 2027.

When are selections made?

Selections will be made in April 2027.

Nature of the Appointment

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (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, ONHM, ORAU, ORISE, DOE, or any other agency, and there are no employment‑related benefits. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

While participants will not enter into an employment relationship, this opportunity will require a suitability/background investigation conducted by NIH. Any offer made is considered tentative, pending favorable outcome of the investigation.

Qualifications

To be eligible, you must have earned your doctoral degree within five years of the appointment start date in one of the fields listed below. Your project proposal must demonstrate mastery of fundamental historical research methods and readiness for advanced training. Students who expect to complete their doctoral degree by the start date of the appointment are also encouraged to apply. Proof of completion must be provided before a selectee can start the position.

U.S. citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) are eligible to apply. Applicants must be able to meet the security and access requirements of NIH.

You must also be able to pass a federal background check. We strongly encourage you to carefully read the full terms and conditions. Ignoring this information could prevent you from taking part in the program.

Applications

Applications must be submitted through the Zintellect application system no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard time on Monday, January 11, 2027. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
• Supporting materials must be uploaded as PDF files to ensure the document can be searched by Zintellect’s search engine. All social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth must be removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) before they are added to the application system.
• Materials not received via Zintellect (e.g., by email, postal mail, or fax) will not be considered.

A Complete Application Consists Of

• Complete Zintellect profile
• Complete Application questions
• Current Resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, and relevant experiences
• Transcripts/Academic Records - 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.
• Project proposal of no more than 1200 words, not including citations, with a clearly stated research question; a clear, central connection with the history of NIH; and demonstration of the standard skills required to conduct successful, historically sound research as well as the readiness and capacity to master more advanced skills with mentorship and training.
• Two (2) Academic or Professional Recommendations - Applicants are required to provide contact information for at least two recommenders in order to submit the application. Recommenders will be sent a notification from Zintellect. An application will not be considered complete unless at least two recommendations have been submitted through Zintellect before the application window closes. It is therefore suggested that you provide contact information for more than two recommenders to enhance your chances that your application will be complete before the deadline.

If you have questions, send an email to [e-mail]. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (NIH-ONHM-2026-0001) in the subject line or body of your email.

Point of Contact

Alecia

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/11/2027 12:00:00 AM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Bio‑inorganic Chemistry
  • Bio‑organic Chemistry
  • Biophysical Chemistry
  • Chemistry (General)
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Sciences
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Theoretical Chemistry
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences
• Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Other Non‑Science & Engineering
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 6/1/2026

Affirmation

I affirm that I have received my Doctoral degree within the last five years or am currently enrolled in a graduate program. If currently enrolled, I understand that my degree must be received by the end of the Spring 2027 semester prior to the latest allowable start date of September 30, 2027.