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NIA program team members play a crucial role in identifying, supporting, and shaping a broad portfolio of aging and dementia research. They work with a diverse cross section of professionals who are also committed to advancing science, improving public health, and ensuring that discoveries are translated into real-world applications.
If you’re a research scientist who has ever considered making a move to join the NIA program staff, now is the perfect time! NIA is currently hiring for multiple career opportunities , including program staff positions. With this in mind, we asked a few colleagues who recently joined our program team to share their tips on successfully navigating a career move in this direction.
Pro tips: Fellowships and networking
Multiple colleagues mentioned the benefit of a science technology or policy fellowship . Offered through the American Association for the Advancement of Science , Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education , Presidential Management Fellows , and more, these programs can provide invaluable experience and allow you to explore what it’s like to work in the federal government. Whether you are finishing graduate school or considering a job shift, fellowships provide extremely useful skills, regardless of your final career track. We have found that former fellows are often in high demand.
Additionally, networking through both traditional as well as newer ways is essential: Reach out to as many people from different scientific career backgrounds as possible to get a feel for what various careers are like day to day. Connect in person by attending scientific conferences or via social media such as NIA on LinkedIn .
Resume and application tips
For those seeking to join the federal government for the first time, there can definitely be a learning curve. Start by accessing USAJOBS , the federal government’s job search and hiring site. Note that federal resumes may often exceed the two-page maximum that some of us were taught in college. This is in part because the federal government may require more details than the private sector on how past responsibilities meet specialized experience requirements, and the inclusion at times of lengthy bibliographies.
Most USAJOBS listings are open for five days, so windows of opportunity may be relatively short. Note that NIA routinely advertises for program staff positions via a global announcement on a quarterly basis. In addition to submitting your resume and other necessary documents, you must also complete specific skill and experience assessment questions for most federal jobs. Take your time completing the questions because you cannot go back and make changes or updates once the position listing has closed. Be sure to read the job announcement thoroughly and address in your resume any specifications described. It’s always helpful to include key phrases of the job requirements in your resume.
Ask questions and apply!
Learn more about current openings for program staff as well as other career opportunities at NIA by visiting NIA’s career page . For questions regarding NIA employment, please email NIAJobs@mail.nih.gov or leave a comment below. Stay tuned to this blog for more career change tips and, in the meantime, we wish you the best in your career efforts, wherever they take you!
Applications Training and Career Development 2023-07-12T00:00:00Z