NIH Data Science to Advance Women’s Health Research

This postdoctoral research opportunity offers an immersive STEM learning experience within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH). ORWH's mission focuses on advancing understanding of biological and social factors that impact women's health. For this program, the fellow will apply data science methods and frameworks to enhance the harmonization, integration, and analysis of research and clinical datasets relevant to women’s health, with the aim of identifying emerging areas for future women’s health research and contributing to an artificial intelligence (AI) platform for women’s health. A major component of this role will include contributing to and coordinating expert opinion around development of menopause-related Common Data Elements (CDEs) to support standardization and improved data quality across research studies. As needed, the fellow will conduct evaluation, reporting, and communication of scientific activities for NIH leadership and external audiences. Additional activities may be further tailored to the interests and skillset of the fellow.

What will I be doing?

The fellow will receive comprehensive training in developing common data elements, harmonizing and standardizing various research and clinical data sources, and applying data standards to improve interoperability across platforms. Through active involvement in ORWH data initiatives, including the development of and coordination of menopause-related CDEs, the fellow will gain experience working with NIH data infrastructures, governance processes, and large-scale data science efforts. This position provides opportunities to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, develop federal partnerships, contribute to the strategic planning and evaluation of data-driven projects, and build proficiency with analytic tools and data science methodologies relevant to advancing women’s health research.

Why should I apply?

As a participant in a STEM research participation program, you will learn about different NIH support mechanisms and different collaborative research programs involving NIH, how to use various NIH databases and modalities for data analysis, how to identify metrics and key indicators needed to evaluate any program, how to compare success between different types of collaborative research programs, and how to make recommendations for future programs based on the available data, under the guidance of a mentor.

Where will I be located?

Fellows are expected to be fully engaged, either in-person, hybrid, or remote. In-person or hybrid location is Bethesda, MD.

What financial provisions will I receive?

The selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend to help offset living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by NIH officials and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. In addition, NIH may provide a health insurance supplement to cover the monthly premium costs if you elect the ORAU/ORISE health insurance plan, as necessary.

What is the length of the appointment?

The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed annually up to four additional years upon recommendation of NIH and is contingent on the availability of funds. 

When are selections made?

An initial review of applications will occur on July 1, 2026. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis throughout the 2026 calendar year, and selections made as projects for participation become available.

What is the Nature of the Appointment?

This program, administered by 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, DOE, ORISE, nor ORAU, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Salary : $88,000