NIH Jobs USA 2025 | Latest Remote Job Openigs

Thinking about joining the force behind America’s top medical developments? Then you might want to apply for the latest NIH jobs. For decades, the National Institutes of Health have served as the basis of the nation’s public health advances, always standing at the forefront of global biomedical research. With its tireless dedication to science, discovery, and patient health, the institution has become one of the most respected employers in the entire US federal system. Particularly in the healthcare and life sciences industries.

People from all walks of life are drawn to NIH careers because of its powerful mission and collaborative culture. Whether someone’s passion lies in the lab developing vaccines, in the office running clinical data models, or out in the field managing healthcare initiatives, there’s a place for every kind of talent. The NIH isn’t just recruiting researchers in lab coats, it’s offering meaningful roles for IT specialists, data scientists, HR professionals, administrative experts, and those seeking remote jobs that still make a national impact. So apply today!

For More Latest Healthcare Jobs: Click Here

NIH Jobs in United States | Multiple Hiring

Overview of NIH (The Organization)

The National Institutes of Health is the United States government’s premier medical research agency. As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it holds a significant position in establishing the scientific framework for America’s healthcare system. Originally founded in the late 1800s, it has grown from a single laboratory into an extensive network of institutions that conduct research and development in every discipline and area of medicine and public health. Today, it is recognized not only nationally but around the world for its contributions to science and its dedication to improving human health through research.

The mission of the NIH is clear and comprehensive. It’s about enhancing health, extending life, and reducing illness and disability through the study of the nature and behavior of living systems. This mission is more than a statement. It influences the work of more than 80,000 employees, contractors, fellows, and trainees associated with the organization. These professionals are involved in every area of biomedical and behavioral research. This includes laboratory experiments to current data modeling to policy formation that influences healthcare access across the United States.

What It’s Like to Work at NIH

Working at the National Institutes of Health means stepping into an environment that combines the structure of a federal service with the excitement of daily scientific progress. People often describe it as the best of both worlds. There’s a sense of stability that comes from being part of a large, established government agency. However, there’s also the dedication, passion, and energy commonly found at top-tier research universities. Here, employees aren’t just working a nine-to-five job, they’re contributing to discoveries that can save lives and change the way disease is treated worldwide. That level of impact creates an exceptional workplace culture that’s focused on mission rather than just performance goals.

NIH culture is noticeably collaborative. Staff across different departments, institutes, and even job roles are encouraged to share ideas, co-author studies, and bring multiple disciplines together to solve complicated healthcare challenges. Whether someone is a researcher, policy analyst, IT specialist, or grant coordinator, their contributions are respected and seen as important to the agency’s overall mission. Being welcoming is also a key part of the culture. The organization actively promotes equal opportunity in employment and leadership, aiming to represent a wide range of backgrounds, voices, and perspectives. Here’s a look at some of the factors that influence the daily experience at NIH:

• Collaborative Environment: Team-based projects are the norm, especially in research and administrative roles. Many staff members say that the sense of shared purpose makes collaboration natural and rewarding.
• An Employee Focus: Staff members know their work directly contributes to medical advancements, public health outcomes, and scientific excellence. That sense of purpose is the main reason why people stay long-term.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Depending on the role, NIH offers flexible hours, compressed workweeks, and remote work options. This makes it easier to maintain a balance between professional and personal life.
• Campus Life in Bethesda: The main NIH campus is more like a small city. It features the latest labs, modern office buildings, libraries, cafeterias, green spaces, walking trails, and even a fitness center. There’s a community feel to the place, with seminars, workshops, and social events regularly scheduled to encourage engagement and learning.

Where NIH Jobs Are Located

NIH may be headquartered in Maryland, but its operations stretch across multiple parts of the United States. While many people associate the agency with its expansive campus in Bethesda, the truth is that NIH employs staff in several other locations, each with its own research goals and operational functions. The organization’s wide geographical footprint allows it to address healthcare challenges on both a local and national scale, and it also means there are career opportunities far beyond the Washington, D.C. metro area.

NIH Headquarters (Bethesda, MD)

The main NIH campus is located in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. This location houses most of its institutes and administrative offices. It’s a lively workplace, filled with researchers, support staff, public health experts, and interns working side-by-side. The campus covers more than 300 acres and includes more than 75 buildings. It’s not just a workplace, it’s a living scientific hub with lecture halls, laboratories, and public health facilities all operating in sync. Most job opportunities are posted on this campus, especially in scientific, administrative, and clinical roles.

Other US Locations (Montana, North Carolina, Arizona, etc.)

Beyond Bethesda, the NIH also has a presence in other states, which allows it to expand its research into different regional populations and environments. Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana focus on infectious diseases. The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences is located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and is centered on environmental health risk and toxicology. There’s also the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore, Maryland, and smaller research and administrative sites in Arizona, Michigan, and Massachusetts. These offices help the NIH stay connected to communities across the country and extend its research reach beyond the Beltway.

Remote Jobs and Hybrid Options

In response to the constantly changing nature of work, the NIH has expanded its hiring to include remote jobs and hybrid work schedules across multiple departments. While not all roles qualify for telework, many in areas like IT, policy development, HR, program management, and data analysis do. These flexible work arrangements allow professionals to contribute to national research efforts from home or from regional offices, depending on agency needs. Hybrid options are especially popular among administrative teams and employees in supporting roles, which offer them the chance to work onsite for part of the week and remotely for the rest.

Types of NIH Jobs

With such a large structure and wide-ranging research agenda, NIH jobs are available for candidates with different skill sets, experience levels, and interests. These roles aren’t just limited to scientific researchers or doctors. The organization requires a wide selection of professionals to keep its operations on track. Whether someone is entering the job market for the first time or brings decades of experience, there’s likely a position that fits.

Scientific and Research Roles

NIH’s operations are influenced by these roles. Scientists at the NIH work on everything from cancer therapies and vaccine development to behavioral science and genetics. They may work in lab-based positions, in clinical trials, or conduct population-level studies. Positions in this category include principal investigators, staff scientists, research fellows, and biostatisticians. These jobs often require postgraduate degrees and come with access to some of the most specialized equipment and funding opportunities in the country.

Administrative Roles

Behind every research discovery is a team of professionals managing budgets, schedules, regulations, and logistics. Administrative staff ensure that the NIH’s highly technical machinery functions properly. These jobs include human resources specialists, program analysts, budget officers, and communications coordinators. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in public administration or business are keys to success in these positions.

Technical and IT Roles

Given the scale of NIH’s data operations, technology has an important role to play. From maintaining secure networks to building research databases and supporting cloud infrastructure, the IT team is key. Positions include systems engineers, cybersecurity analysts, application developers, and data scientists. These roles often offer the flexibility of remote work and require the latest technical skills along with federal IT expertise.

Healthcare and Clinical Support

The NIH is also home to the Clinical Center, the largest hospital in the world dedicated exclusively to clinical research. This means there’s a constant need for healthcare professionals like nurses, physicians, clinical coordinators, medical technologists, and support staff. Unlike most hospitals, patient care here is part of ongoing research trials, making it a workplace focused on new ideas and discoveries.

Internships and Fellowships

The organization offers a number of internships and research fellowships to help early-career professionals acquire experience. These positions are highly competitive and range from high school internships to postdoctoral research fellowships. They are ideal for students who want practical experience in medical research or public health administration while being mentored by experts in the field.

Training Programs for Students and Graduates

In addition to fellowships, NIH hosts several formal training initiatives such as the Postbaccalaureate IRTA Program and the NIH Summer Internship Program. These are designed for fresh graduates looking to build their research or professional portfolio. Participants have access to world-class labs, attend seminars, and often contribute to published research.

Entry Level Careers

For recent grads or those early in their careers, the NIH provides various entry-level careers that offer both work-based training and clear growth potential. These positions may fall under federal pathways programs, administrative support, research assistant, or junior analyst roles. They are often the first step to a long-term federal career, offering mentorship, job security, and experience in a demanding environment.

Salary & Benefits

As part of NIH jobs, a paycheck is not the only compensation. Salaries are based on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, which standardizes earnings across the federal workforce. This system identifies base salaries depending on the position’s difficulty, required experience, and job location. Each GS grade includes 10 steps that allow employees to gradually increase their earnings over time, with automatic step increases and merit-based promotions. Depending on the role, certain specialized positions may fall under alternative pay systems such as Title 42 or Title 38, which offer more flexibility in recruiting highly qualified professionals in scientific or healthcare-related roles.

On top of base pay, NIH employees often receive locality pay adjustments depending on where they work. As a result, this increases earnings in high-cost regions like Bethesda, Maryland. Here’s what the average salary structure looks like across various categories:

• Scientific and Research Positions: Usually range from $80,000 to $150,000 per year, with senior roles earning more under special pay authorities.
• Administrative and Policy Roles: Average between $60,000 and $95,000, depending on your GS level and responsibilities.
• Healthcare and Clinical Support Staff: Usually fall between $70,000 and $110,000, particularly for nurses, lab techs, and clinical coordinators.
• Entry-Level Positions: Start around $45,000 to $60,000, often at GS-5 or GS-7 pay levels, with clear room for promotion.

What makes NIH a top choice isn’t just the salary, but the comprehensive benefits package that accompanies it. Employees receive a wide range of federally funded perks designed to support both their career and personal well-being.

• Health Insurance: Access to premium medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Affordable plans available with options for long-term care and supplemental coverage.
• Tuition Support & Training: Opportunities to receive funding for continuing education, certifications, and workshops.
• Wellness Programs: On-campus gyms, mental health resources, walking trails, and access to wellness initiatives to support a healthy lifestyle.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates for NIH jobs must meet certain minimum qualifications set by federal hiring guidelines. While each job listing will include specific requirements based on the role’s responsibilities, there are some standard criteria that apply to nearly all openings. Understanding them beforehand can help applicants decide whether they are eligible and ready to move forward in the process.

To begin with, most jobs at these institutes are open only to individuals who are U.S. citizens or nationals, in accordance with federal employment law. In some cases, lawful permanent residents may be eligible if the role falls under special hiring authority or if it’s listed as an open-competitive announcement. It’s important to carefully check the citizenship requirements listed in each job posting, as failing to meet them will lead to disqualification regardless of experience or education.

Applicants are also expected to meet role-specific qualifications related to education, training, and professional background. For scientific or research positions, this often includes postgraduate degrees such as a master’s or Ph.D. in relevant fields like biology, public health, medicine, or biomedical engineering. Administrative, IT, or program analyst positions usually require a bachelor’s degree along with relevant work experience. Healthcare support roles may call for licensure, certifications, or clinical training, depending on the nature of the duties involved.

In addition to qualifications, the recruitment process includes mandatory background checks and may also involve drug screening. In particular, this applies to roles involving patient care and confidential data access. These screenings ensure the credibility and security of the federal workforce, specifically in positions that involve direct contact with research subjects, clinical materials, or confidential data. Failing to pass a background investigation may result in a job offer being rescinded.

While there’s no standard age requirement for most NIH positions, candidates must be at least 18 years old at the time of appointment. Some federal programs, such as Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates, may have age or enrollment status requirements depending on the target group. Here are additional eligibility considerations that may apply depending on the role:

• Selective service registration is required for most male applicants born after 1959, and proof may be requested during onboarding.
• English language proficiency is necessary, especially for roles involving communication, policy drafting, public-facing materials, or clinical documentation.
• Mobility requirements may exist for some roles, especially those involving field research, site visits, or interagency collaboration across states.
• Time-in-grade requirements must be met when applying for higher GS-level roles within the federal system, ensuring agreement with the regulations.
• Veterans’ preference may give eligible former military members an advantage in the selection process, and documentation will be required to verify status.
• Academic equivalency standards for foreign degrees may apply, requiring official evaluation reports to confirm U.S. degree equivalents.
• Ethical conduct disclosures, such as financial conflict of interest forms, are sometimes needed for positions involved in funding or grant-making decisions.

Application Process for NIH Jobs

The process of applying for NIH jobs can seem overwhelming at first, but once you know the steps, it becomes quite simple. Everything begins once you click the “Apply Here” button below. Most NIH positions are posted on their careers page, which is the official portal for federal employment. Candidates should use specific filters like job category, location, and pay grade to find roles that match their background. Once a suitable position is found, the next step is to create or log into your profile. This will serve as the applicant’s central hub for resume uploads, application tracking, and saved job alerts. Every NIH position has detailed instructions about what to submit, including resumes, transcripts, certificates, and sometimes response to interview questions.

Resumes for federal jobs are different from traditional ones. They need to be more comprehensive and should include job duties, achievements, specific dates, and qualifications in full detail. Many applicants also include a federal-style cover letter, which focuses on matching the job announcement language and shows understanding of the agency’s mission. Once everything is submitted, the NIH screens applications for basic eligibility, and then passes them on to subject matter experts for technical review. If an applicant is selected, they’ll receive a notice about the next step, which might include interviews or security clearance checks. The entire process can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks, depending on the volume of applications and the urgency of the role.

 Apply Here

FAQs