Research Fellow Positions: Epidemiology Program

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for two research fellow positions within the Epidemiology Program (EP) of the Division of Intramural Research (DIR). The successful candidates would support the mission of the EP, which is to conduct high-impact, high-quality cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to provide a national public health perspective on high-priority topics identified in the NCCIH strategic plan (NCCIH Strategic Plan FY 2021–2025 | NCCIH (nih.gov)). The EP is responsible for the design, implementation, and analyses of data from high-quality surveys and longitudinal studies that address wide-ranging questions regarding the use of complementary health approaches, including incidence, prevalence, costs, and their application to, and efficacy for health conditions. Other priorities of the EP include disparities in the management, incidence and prevalence of chronic pain and other chronic diseases, and studies examining factors that contribute to resilience, well-being, and health restoration across chronic diseases. 

Our interdisciplinary program is designed to provide experiences that foster the development of skills necessary to conduct high quality independent research. Research fellows are expected to develop their own research initiatives within the mission of the EP using the wealth of data from available cohorts and cross-sectional studies. In addition, research fellows will join ongoing clinical studies involving quantitative sensory testing (QST) in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pain Research Center (PRC) where training in QST can be provided. In the EP, we are seeking applicants with a range of analytical, technical, and/or clinical skills who are independently ready to tackle important public health challenges and make an impact on the lives of all people. In addition to conducting independent research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals, fellows will contribute to mentoring postbaccalaureate and/or postdoctoral fellows and participate in career development activities, present their research at NIH, and at national and international scientific meetings, and are expected to pursue research funding opportunities.

Candidates legally approved to work in the United States with an earned doctoral degree in epidemiology, demography, sociology, or a closely related field AND with post-doctoral experience, or those with a medical or dental degree with both experience and advanced graduate training (e.g., M.P.H.) in epidemiology, population health, or biostatistics within the past 10 years are invited to apply. Preference will be given to candidates with superior analytic and communication skills with additional consideration given to those with demonstrated research interests in areas currently under investigation in the EP and/or highlighted in the NCCIH Strategic Plan (NCCIH Strategic Plan FY 2021–2025 | NCCIH (nih.gov)). Documented programing skills in R, and/or SAS/SUDAAN, and/or SAS Studio are required. 

The successful candidates will work closely with other members of the EP, with staff of the NIH PRC, with members of other sections within the NCCIH DIR and, potentially, with intramural investigators from other NIH Institutes and Centers. Ongoing efforts are focused on disparities in health care, developing models for studying whole person health and resilience, and the combined use of validated questionnaires and QST for predicting future chronic pain across diverse populations.

Learn more about the NCCIH Epidemiology Program. 

Learn more about the NIH Intramural Training Program.

Position Duties

• Take the lead in identifying compelling research questions left unresolved in the epidemiology of pain and/or complementary health approaches and/or whole person health, resilience, and health restoration.
• Take the lead in identifying existing data sets or designing novel studies involving QST that can be used to answer research questions identified above.
• Take the lead in developing and implementing analysis plans for identified data sets or novel studies identified above.
• Take the lead in interpreting data produced through implementation of analysis plans.
• Take the lead in preparing summaries and reports based on results and findings. Present these results and findings in formal and/or informal presentations at NCCIH, at other NIH Institutes/Centers, and at academic institutions and conferences.
• Take the lead in writing scientific manuscripts and submitting them to appropriate scientific journals.
• Additional duties as available may include mentoring postbaccalaureate and/or postdoctoral fellows.

This position is located in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in epidemiology, demography, sociology, or a closely related fields and relevant postdoctoral experience or have a medical or dental degree with both experience and advanced graduate training (e.g., M.P.H.) in epidemiology, population health, or biostatistics within the past 10 years. The successful candidates must have documented programing skills in R and/or SAS/SUDAAN and/or SAS Studio. 

Salary and Benefits 

Salary will be commensurate with experience. A full civil service package of benefits (e.g., retirement; health, life, and long-term care insurance; Thrift Savings Plan) is available. (See Pay at NIH | Office of Human Resources.)

How To Apply 

Interested candidates should submit their CV, a detailed statement of their research interests, and three letters of recommendation from references familiar with their expertise, research experience, and ability to work independently. 

Application packages should be sent to Ms. Katie Howes at NCCIHJobs@mail.nih.gov. Please include the following in the subject line, “NCCIH – Research Fellowship Application [insert your name].” Questions should be addressed to Ms. Katie Howes at the same email address. 

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, November 22, 2024, for consideration in the review period. Review of applications will begin on or about Monday, November 25, 2024. Should no suitable candidates be selected during this period, the position will remain open until filled. This position is subject to a background investigation.

NIH and NCCIH are committed to building a diverse workforce and promoting an inclusive environment. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. 

Epidemiology Program 
Division of Intramural Research 
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health 
National Institutes of Health 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services