next »

[koyo127]

I am thinking of quitting my T32 for banking but am afraid of the "payback" that apparently comes with leaving a T32 postdoc.  I can't find any information on it and NIH is vague in terms of this information.  Does anyone know what the policy is?  I'm 8 months into T32 postdoc but have decided that bench research is not my passion and have been offered a job as a financial analyst in my field of expertise (biotech).  Any suggestions are much appreciated!

[msparticularity]

Did your position require that you sign a payback agreement? If so, have you read Section 11.4 on Payback on this page? You do not appear to meet the waiver criteria found in Section 11.4.3.4.2. Since you say you have received eight months of support, I would guess that you will owe some service, to begin within two years of your departure, or that you'll have to pay back your stipend for those eight months (stipend only--plus interest-- if you're at an educational institution--other costs as well at other types of recipients).

I am not in your field, but I am fairly experienced in grantwriting and grants administration. I found this by looking up T32 grants and following the chain of links for requirements for trainees. The page at the federal website indicates these are 2010/11 guidelines, but since your grant would have been initiated during that year I suspect this is the correct set of regulations for you.

[mouseprof]

A few years ago, I was on a T32 and left my position after 4 months.  You will most likely have to "payback" for the 8 months you have worked.  From what I recall, the NIH is somewhat liberal with what they will allow you to do to payback the time.  For me, I didn't want to leave science and academia all together....just the awful place I worked.  I worked as an adjunct for a couple or years, did research part time and then took another post-doc before getting a faculty position.  All of those activities counted towards my payback.  I don't remember the exact rules, but perhaps if you taught a few courses while working at the biotech that would satisfy the agreement? Also, if I'm not mistaken, you have about  4 years to participate in other activities to fulfill your obligation before they come looking for their money.

I hope that helps.