Trisha Chakraborty

Trisha Chakraborty, PhD, is a Health Science Policy Analyst in the Office of Science Policy at the National Institutes of Health. A former AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, she holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Delaware. Trisha’s policy interests include health policy, international science diplomacy, American Indian/Alaska Native health policy and tribal justice, and criminal justice. She applies her scientific background to support the NIH mission of seeking “fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.”

Can you describe your academic and professional background? What path led you to pursue this field?

My background is in Psychology and Neuroscience, specifically the molecular neurobiology of fear learning. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s at Rutgers University and completed my Ph.D. at the University of Delaware in 2017. I loved doing lab work, analyzing data, and writing manuscripts in grad school. When I first started, I wanted to become a tenured professor with an R01. A few years later, I realized that this career path was untenable for me for several reasons.

First, I did not appreciate the endless cycle of the grant application process. Watching my PI go through this process made me realize that as a tenured professor, most of my time would be spent away from the lab. I was also put off by the lack of tenured positions in academia — I did not want to spent years as post doc competing for a small number of available faculty positions. Finally, I realized that the impact of basic and translational research is long-term. Most scientists never get to see tangible effects of their work in the world and I wanted my work to have a more direct impact.

I sought career advice at the NSF booth at SfN the year before I defended. They suggested that I apply for the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship (STPF). Every year, AAAS places PhDs in offices across the federal government to learn about federal policy making and contribute their scientific expertise. STPF has been running for more than 40 years and boasts an international alumni network. Fellows complete a 1-2 year paid fellowship and are well-positioned for jobs in the federal government and industry. Some fellows even take their knowledge back to academia. The Fellowship is competitive and prestigious with many Fellows securing high-level positions after completion. 

I was accepted in 2018 and placed at the National Institute of Justice in the Department of Justice. There, I was asked to apply my neuroscience background to extramural research funding, “Safety, Health, and Wellness,” tribal justice, firearms, and forensic intelligence. I helped my federal colleagues manage programs for law enforcement officers interested in research, and American Indian/Alaska Native youth. I was even able to start a peer-reviewed journal authored by officers. The fellowship provided opportunities to learn and engage in issues that would never have been available in academia. During my fellowship I diversified my skillset and gained knowledge in policy making and implementation.

I learned that I really enjoy policy work. Using my background to develop programs and initiatives is extremely rewarding. When it was time to look past my fellowship, I specifically sought jobs that would allow me to do more policy work. The opportunity to work in NIH’s Office of Science Policy was exactly what I was looking for.

How did you find your current position, and what was the hiring process like? Is there a typical structure for this in your field?

The hiring process for the federal government is highly structured. All billets (open job listings) are posted USAJobs.gov. Candidates can filter results based on their interests and background. Candidates must submit resumes, cover letters, and other documentation. One key point to note is that resumes for federal positions should be extremely detailed. When I was applying for jobs, my resumes were several pages long and each position included multiple paragraphs describing all my activities. Each resume was also tailored to the job specifications of the billet, the details of which can be found on the USAJobs billet and the agency website.

Once applicants submit documentation to USAJobs, they are routed to the internal agency website where they must answer questions about their prior experience. Candidates who have expertise in all areas move forward. Usually, each candidate meets with their immediate supervisor. If successful, they may be asked to meet with a Director or Division Director in their Office. Candidates have some room to negotiate offers, but the federal pay and benefits system is pre-structured.

In my case, a friend referred a billet on USAJobs that fit my expertise. She had experience in the Office and suggested that I apply. I first spoke to other AAAS Fellows working in the office to learn about the culture. Once I determined that the office culture was the right fit for me, I applied.

Most people find positions (in any/every industry) because they are referred by others. My case was unique because to my knowledge, no one directly referred me to this position. However, my relationships with people in the office helped me decide if I wanted the job. In any situation, networking is an essential part of the job search.

Can you tell us about your current responsibilities? What is a typical day or week like in your role?

I specifically took this job because there is no “typical day or week.” Every day is different. My portfolio includes base topics such as American Indian/Alaska Native health issues, public private partnerships, governmental audits, and legislative affairs, among other things. However, the nature of the work changes constantly and my job tasks regarding a specific portfolio topic depends on what needs to be done now. My division is known for “putting out fires” and fostering collaboration within and outside NIH. I am often required to drop everything and work on a pressing issue. This is, of course, challenging, but I enjoy always being on my toes.

Much of my work is collaborative — I take a high-level view of the work that occurs at NIH and help other people achieve their goals. This means I have many meetings with different groups throughout the week on various topics (soft skills are important!). This allows me to sample from all the activities occurring in the agency, without getting drawn down the rabbit hole of a specific topic. Nothing I work on “belongs to me,” but I take ownership of the decisions I make to move projects forward.

I am often required to “staff” leadership and provide support so that they can make good policy decisions. I am expected to know about the science policy that governs the activities I am working on, but I rely on a large body of subject matter experts if I need more detailed information. I keep tabs on congressional hearings and a big part of my job is to make sure that NIH has a good working relationship with Congress and other agencies.

My schedule allows me to meet new people and learn about the thousands of activities going on at NIH and across the federal government. The expertise I gain in this position will prepare me for almost any policy position in the federal government or the private sector.

What do you enjoy about your current job and work environment? 

I absolutely love my job. First, it is a privilege to work with my colleagues. It is clear to me that they are dedicated to their work and deeply invested in advocating for their stakeholders — the American Public. I believe that I am better at my job thanks to the dedication and support of my colleagues. Second, my work (both at NIH and formerly DOJ) requires me to work on diverse activities. As such, I am always learning and trying new things. My job is never boring. Finally, job satisfaction comes from engaging and completing projects. Being able to develop and disseminate products that directly benefit the American public is a huge perk of the job. As a side note federal jobs provide a lot of job security, work-life balance, and excellent benefits.

What are some of the challenging aspects of your job? Is there anything you wish you had known about your job or industry before joining?

There is a steep learning curve in the federal government. The first six months are spent frantically learning as much as you can. After that, you are an considered an “expert” and your decisions carry weight. This is technically my second federal job, and I still find the abrupt shift from trainee to expert overwhelming. The imposter syndrome is real. Fortunately, the process of getting a PhD trains you for this environment. Getting a PhD teaches you to troubleshoot, collaborate with peers, develop innovative solutions to whatever random problem pops up, and so much more. I apply all these lessons to my work and I believe it makes me a better policymaker.

Do you have any professional plans for the future? What are some future career paths that could open up for someone in your position, 5-10 years down the road?

I am just beginning my career. My current role positions me for a variety of career paths in government and the private sector. I intend to continue my science policy work in the federal government over the next few years. However, I fully intend to move back and forth between government and private sector work should good opportunities arise. I am looking forward to building a diverse career portfolio by engaging in both sectors.

What’s changing in your industry? Are there any future trends we should be aware of?

This is a hard question to answer. Often, we cannot see change until it has already happened. Having said that, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent BLM protests have spurred change in my field. I am pleased to report greater public interest in government and policy making. I am also happy to see more activism regarding diversity and inclusion. Engaging stakeholders is key to creating and implementing viable policy. I hope public interest in science and health policy continues to rise.

On a more technical note, the need for a pandemic response has forced government to become more agile and adaptable. The federal government notoriously moves slowly and its response to new stimuli is often quite cautious. The current situation has demonstrated that — for the most part — agencies like NIH are capable of efficiently mobilizing in response to new threats. Of course, more work is always needed in these areas. Fortunately, my colleagues across all agencies are working to ensure that this momentum persists.

What activities, internships, or organizations would you recommend someone get involved with to help them break into this field?

Grad school is already extremely difficult. Students are expected to work countless hour with minimal pay. Graduate students have high rates of mental health crises. The first goal of graduate school should always be to defend.

Students seeking career paths outside academia should explore any activity that is interesting to them. I’m probably recycling the same advice from high school, but what matters most is how invested applicants are in the activities they choose and how much they learn from that activity. The most interesting applicant is the one with a diverse academic and extracurricular background.

Taking part in student government is always a safe bet — I was a graduate student senator for my department for a few semesters. Volunteering in community building activities may also help. Joining professional organizations is a great way to start building networks as well. Ultimately, students should choose activities that expand their skillsets and provide opportunities to contribute to their communities.

Is it common for people in your field to have a scientific/academic background (i.e. have PhDs)?

Most high-level employees at NIH have a PhD. This number is lower in other agencies, but a PhD is generally respected. Many PhDs expect to use their subject matter expertise from grad school in their work, but in reality, the soft-skills that you pick up are more relevant in the federal government.

Do you have any final words of advice for those navigating these career questions?

I never thought this is where I would end up when I was in grad school. I had a whole plan for my future as a tenured faculty member. I would encourage all job seekers to keep an open mind and seek opportunities that they are genuinely excited about — not just the ones they think they should take.