Overview
The NIH Department of Laboratory Medicine Clinical Chemistry Fellowship is a two-year postdoctoral training program accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry.
The objectives of the fellowship are to train individuals to manage high complexity laboratories, become clinically oriented, and participate in a variety of translational research projects. The training emphasizes the clinical aspects of clinical chemistry, with active participation by the fellows through on-call rotations. Fellows are eligible to take the American Board of Clinical Chemistry qualifying examinations upon completion of the fellowship.
There is one fellowship position available each year, which usually begins on July 1.
Please view the Commission on the Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry website for more information about Clinical Chemistry fellowships.
Program Structure
The first three months of the fellowship are devoted to rotations through various Clinical Chemistry sections: general chemistry, special chemistry, immunoassays, electrophoresis, urinalysis, HPLC, and mass spectrometry. Fellows are then expected to handle inquiries to the Clinical Chemistry Service from physicians and are encouraged to attend patient rounds. After the initial training, fellows regularly work up and present patient cases and have an opportunity to participate in translational research.
During the first three months of the program, fellows discuss the research and service responsibilities of each Clinical Chemistry senior staff member. Trainees are encouraged to choose a research project for independent investigation under the supervision of a senior staff member, or to participate in an ongoing research project. Fellows are also responsible for developing one or two methods for implementation by the Clinical Chemistry Service. The project for method development is determined by the needs of the Service at the time.
Eligibility
Qualified candidates must have an MD and/or PhD. Preference is given to individuals who are approximately two years (but no more than six years) beyond the doctoral degree, and who have obtained training in laboratory medicine, clinical medicine, or clinical chemistry.
Applicants must have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 30 semester hours in undergraduate and/or graduate level chemistry or biochemistry courses prior to admission into the program to meet certification eligibility requirements by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry.
How to Apply
Please submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to CC-DLMChemistryFellowship@mail.nih.gov.
Deadline
Applications are due on Sept. 1 for fellowships starting on July 1 of the following year. After Sept. 1, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Program Contacts
- David B. Sacks, MB, ChB, FACP, FRCPath, Fellowship Director
- Roa Harb, MD, Assistant Research Physician, Clinical Chemistry and Associate Director, Clinical Chemistry Fellowship
- Caroline Nottingham, PhD, Staff Scientist and Associate Director, Clinical Chemistry Fellowship
- Admin: Saranya Chandran
Current Fellows
2022-2024 Fellow
Graduate Training: University of Virginia
2023-2025 Fellow
Graduate Training: University of Cape Town