The PRAT Program is a competitive postdoctoral fellowship program to pursue research in one of the laboratories of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is intended for individuals with backgrounds in the basic or clinical sciences who wish to obtain advanced experience in an area of pharmacology, or for those who are already pharmacologists to gain experience in new fields.
Research
Research opportunities in pharmacology are broadly defined and can include, for example, molecular pharmacology, biochemistry, signal transduction mechanisms, drug metabolism, immunopharmacology, chemistry and drug design, endocrinology, cell biology, structural biology, neuroscience, gene therapy, or clinical pharmacology. To learn more about training opportunities at NIH in clinical pharmacology, see the ClinPRAT (Clinical Pharmacology Research Associate Program) Web site.
Applicants
Applicants must have received a Ph.D. or a professional degree (M.D., D.D.S, D.O., D.V.M., or Pharm.D.) in a basic or clinical science within the last 5 years, and they must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. Applicants may apply prior to coming to NIH or FDA, or they may have started postdoctoral research at NIH or FDA within the 12-month period prior to the application receipt deadline.
Preceptors
Applicants select a preceptor in advance. Preceptors are scientists at NIH or FDA who have an interest in training fellows through this program, and who will indicate their commitment through formal submission of their credentials at the time of application. To search for eligible preceptors by name or area of scientific interest and read descriptions of their research, link to http://www.training.nih.gov/postdoctoral/search.asp.
Application
The application process involves submission of the completed PRAT application form, which includes a brief research plan and short statement of relevance to pharmacology, the signed preceptor selection form, letters of recommendation, official graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and curricula vitae for both the applicant and the preceptor.
Location
Most research facilities are located in a beautiful, campus-like setting in Bethesda, Maryland. Other research facilities are located in Baltimore, Maryland; Frederick, Maryland; and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Appointment
Appointments are made at competitive salary levels commensurate with other fellowship opportunities at the NIH. In addition, there is a monthly supplies allowance and an annual travel allowance. Fellows may participate in the NIH Loan Repayment Programs. Individuals with professional degrees are eligible to become commissioned officers in the Public Health Service.
Timetable
January 2
completed applications due
February - March
review of applications
March - April
notification of candidates
September - October
PRAT fellowships begin*
* PRAT fellowships are 2-year appointments beginning in the fall of each year; however, earlier start dates through other mechanisms may be negotiated individually by the fellow with the preceptor and the host laboratory.
For further information or to request an application kit, contact:
