Postdoctoral Training at CCR

Individuals with a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., D.M.D., D.V.M., or the equivalent) in the health sciences with no more than five (5) years of relevant postdoctoral research experience at the start of the fellowship period may apply to postdoctoral opportunities at CCR.

There are different hiring mechanisms for U.S. citizens and permanent residents and for international scientists.

There are several different hiring mechanisms through which you can become a postdoc at CCR:

The Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) is an umbrella appointment mechanism with uniform provisions and a streamlined application process for the diverse training fellowship programs at NCI. The CRTA program provides stipend support for U.S. citizens and permanent residents training in CCR. Fellowships are fully funded and renewable annually for up to five years, based on merit. To be hired as a CRTA Fellow, please apply directly to the opportunity of interest or inquire directly with a PI.

The Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE) program supports mentored research experiences for qualified students and scientists from the postbaccalaureate to the postdoctoral level. This program encourages applications by individuals from diverse background, including those who are from groups underrepresented in the cancer research workforce. 

Interested and qualified candidates must apply directly to the program to become an iCURE Fellow. For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit the iCURE webpage.

The Interagency Oncology Task Force Fellowship is an NCI-FDA joint program that helps fellows develop skills of value to academia, the pharmaceutical industry and government agencies. Applications are submitted directly to this program. For more information on eligibility requirements and the application process, please visit the program webpage. 

The NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program provides postdoctoral fellows an opportunity to develop an independent research program in cancer prevention. The centerpiece of the program is mentored, multidisciplinary research. Applications are submitted directly to the program. For more information on eligibility requirements and the application process, please visit the program website. 

International scientists interested in postdoctoral training at CCR may be hired through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Visiting Program. This program provides support stipends for foreign postdoctoral scientists on J-1 visas to train at the NCI Center for Cancer Research or at other NIH institutes (i.e., those not eligible for CRTA appointments). Visiting fellow awards are generally processed for two years, but one-year awards are an option. Fellowships are renewable for up to five years, based on merit.

Foreign postdoctoral scientists should apply directly to the opportunity of interest. Available positions can be found on our careers page and on staff profiles.

There are several ways to search and apply for postdoctoral fellowships as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or foreign national:

• Search current opportunities at CCR Careers
• Contact a principal investigator directly to inquire about openings in their laboratory
• Apply to attend the NCI Postdoc Recruitment Event (PRE), an opportunity for doctoral candidates to explore postdoctoral opportunities at the NCI. Attendees will also have a chance to network with PIs and other current employees, discover professional development, career and funding opportunities at NCI, and tour the NIH/NCI campuses
• Submit your CV/resume to NCI Future Fellows, a databank of interested candidates to be considered for postbaccalaureate (master-level and post-college), doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships. Our investigators may search this databank for potential fellows

You can also search for principal investigators by research area or disease focus.

Applications for iCURE, the Cancer Prevention Fellowship and Interagency Oncology Task Force Fellowship are submitted directly to those programs. 

Yes! The NIH is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all individuals. The NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) offers support services and can help facilitate reasonable accommodations for individuals with access and functional needs.

In accordance with established Equal Employment Opportunity and non-discrimination law, NIH is legally required to provide reasonable accommodation(s) concerning the known physical and/or mental limitations of qualified employees, applicants and visitors with disabilities, unless it can be shown that such accommodation(s) would pose an undue hardship.

You can read more about reasonable accommodations and EDI policies and procedures on their webpage.