The Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health offers both laboratory-based and patient-centered postdoctoral research fellowships for interested, talented physicians and non-physicians. The NIH Intramural Research Program provides a unique, resource-rich, and collaborative environment to train the next generation of outstanding researchers.
The Dermatology Branch
- Has prepared numerous individuals for careers in academic dermatology and related fields.
- Has many trainees who have assumed leadership positions, in the United States and overseas.
- Offers the Stephen I Katz. Scholars Program in Dermatology Research for physicians interested in a clinical /translational research career.
- Laboratory research areas include: cutaneous immunology and inflammation, the skin microbiome, tissue stem cells, and Merkel cell development/Merkel cell carcinoma.
- Clinical & translational research areas include: chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), primary immunodeficiency, autoinflammatory skin disease, cutaneous oncology, drug hypersensitivity, and the microbiome in health and disease.
- Fellows consistently rank the NIH among the top 10 places in the US to work.
Applications are accepted and considered on a rolling basis. Competitive salaries commensurate to experience, benefits, and travel opportunities are provided. American-trained physicians must have successfully completed dermatology residency training and be Board-eligible to be considered for the Research Scholar program. The Dermatology Branch is located at the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD just outside Washington, DC. Additional information can be obtained by contacting any of the investigators listed below.
The Dermatology Branch is particularly interested in recruiting for the following opportunities:
The Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section is accepting applications for a research fellowship investigating skin cancer or skin stem cell biology with Dr. Isaac Brownell. There is also an opportunity to do a clinical fellowship focused on immuno-oncology. The laboratory investigates the molecular oncogenesis of Merkel cell carcinoma and the regulation of cutaneous stem cells. Experience with cancer biology, tumor immunology, bioinformatics, or mouse genetics is a plus. Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter to:
Dr. Isaac Brownell
https://www.niams.nih.gov/about/directory/isaac-brownell-md-phd
The Dermatology Consultation Service and Clinical Research Section offers a 3-year post-residency Clinical Research Fellowship under the supervision of Dr. Edward Cowen. The Scholar gains comprehensive exposure to the unique clinical environment of the NIH Dermatology Consult Service, formal training in Clinical Research leading to a Master’s Degree from Duke University, and the opportunity to design and conduct cutting edge clinical and translational research. Current areas of active investigation include chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and autoinflammatory skin diseases. Other interests include primary immunodeficiencies, cancer-associated genodermatoses, and adverse drug reactions. Interested candidates should contact:
Dr. Edward W. Cowen
https://www.niams.nih.gov/about/directory/edward-w-cowen-md-mhsc
The Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section is accepting applications for a 3-year post-residency clinical/translational research fellowship or a lab-based postdoctoral research fellowship working with Dr. Heidi Kong. The research group studies host-microbial interactions in healthy individuals and in dermatology patients, using advanced sequencing and microbiology methods. Active research includes atopic dermatitis as well as different primary immunodeficiency syndromes that are characteristic of the NIH Clinical Center, the nation’s largest hospital dedicated entirely to clinical research. The group is highly collaborative, working closely with other labs across the NIH to advance our understanding of the role of microbes in human health and disease. Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter to:
Dr. Heidi Kong
https://www.niams.nih.gov/about/directory/heidi-h-kong-md-mhsc
Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section is accepting applications for a postdoctoral research or a 3-year post-residency translational research fellowship (Dermatology Research Scholar) working with Keisuke (Chris) Nagao. The research group studies fundamental aspects of skin immunity by exploring tissue-immune cell crosstalk that governs immunological and microbial homeostasis by utilizing cutting-edge technology such as single-cell RNA sequencing in both mice and humans. Models of atopic dermatitis and inflammatory alopecia are actively studied in mice and drug hypersensitivities and primary immunodeficiencies are studied in humans. Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter to:
Dr. Chris Nagao
https://www.niams.nih.gov/about/directory/keisuke-chris-nagao-md-phd