NIH Career Symposium

The NIH Career Symposium is a virtual event highlighting the diversity of career choices available to biomedical researchers. This event provides career exploration and networking opportunities for graduate students, postdocs, and fellows in the NIH Intramural Research Program. Graduate students and postdocs from outside the NIH are also welcome to attend.

Whether you’re a graduate student, a postdoc, clinical fellow, or a senior student looking for a job, this event will help you explore your career options. Come to hear from professionals and peers and learn strategies for navigating the job search process.

During this multi-day event we’ll host speakers from across the biomedical workforce. The agenda includes:

• Ten panels featuring professionals in a broad range of careers.
• Workshops to help you:
  • Navigate a Changing Job Market
  • Develop Job Search Skills
  • Plan for a Career Transition
• Opportunities to network with professionals and peers

Each year graduate students and fellows organize the symposium in conjunction with OITE staff. 

2026 NIH Career Symposium Steering Committee

• Natalia Batchenkova, Graduate Student, NIAID
• Xi Chen, Postdoc, NCI
• Matthew Denley, Postdoc, NINDS
• Malique Jones, Postdoc, NCATS
• Mariam Melkumyan, Postdoc, NIAAA
• Allison Mitchell, Postdoc, NCI
• Vivian Morris, Graduate Student, NCI
• Thushani Nilaweera, Postdoc, NIDDK
• Haiting Wang, Postdoc, NIDCR

OITE staff members:

• Laura Marler, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Services
• Emily Summerbell, Program Manager, Office of Postdoctoral Services

American Sign Language interpreting services, CART services, and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Individuals who need interpreting services and/or other reasonable accommodations to participate in this event should contact the organizers at [email protected]. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance in order to ensure interpreter availability.