NIH - what's it like to work there?

[Anonymous]

I'm coming from a health research background, and I'm interested in learning more about the NIH. What is it it like to work there?

[Anonymous]

Depends on two big things: Institute and intramural vs. extramural. Pay is low and paperwork is high. Wonderful benefits, great intellectually stimulating environment with many learning activities and amazing library services, great resources and collaborators available, lots of support for research that may or may not pay off (you don't have to have the results in hand before applying for your R-01). But local politics are everyhthing, hence huge variation in quality of life by institute.

[Anonymous]

which institute are you insterested in?

[Anonymous]

I know a few people who work there - one is thinking of leaving (she is a PhD researcher) but overall likes it, I think she just wants something different.

One seems to like it pretty well - does legal stuff and has good PT hours.

And my one friend from grad school has the most disturbing story, to me. I went to grad school on a fellowship, which means the school paid for all my classes on the condition I went full time (so 9 hours, or 3 grad classes per semester) and worked for the department 20 hours a week - in addition I got a stipend.

I was pretty busy - working and taking classes, but in my second year, this woman who worked full time at NIH came on board with the same fellowship, and managed to take full time classes, plus work 10 hours a week for the department, plus keep her job at NIH! She said they never noticed when she was there or not and the work was really easy so she could do most of her homework during the day there.

I found that disturbing because I had sort of glamorized NIH and thought I would be really bored in a job like that!

But it is a huge place so I'm sure it really depends on your division.