Scientific Director, Division of Intramural Research

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), seeks an accomplished, innovative scientist to serve as scientific director of the Division of Intramural Research (DIR). The scientific director will lead a vibrant basic, translational, and clinical research program focused on the mechanisms and management of pain. The scientific director reports to the director, NCCIH, and will serve as a member of the NCCIH senior leadership team.

Research in the NCCIH DIR is focused on increasing the understanding of the mechanisms of pain and its modulation through nonpharmacologic approaches that engage placebo effects, pathways of emotion regulation, and other pathways involved in pain processing. The established research program is highly collaborative and leverages the talent and resources of other ongoing neuroscience and imaging programs of the larger NIH intramural research community. The NCCIH DIR also includes the NIH Pain Research Center (PRC), serving as a clinical research hub for NIH clinical investigators for conducting pain phenotyping in diverse patient populations, facilitating translational research and treatment development, and characterizing pain in patients with rare phenotypes.

The scientific director will manage this established research program with an annual budget of $17 million and a staff of approximately 50 individuals, including the NCCIH clinical director, 4 principal investigators working across the research spectrum of preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological research, the PRC core director, staff scientists, fellows, and trainees. The scientific director will work collaboratively with the NCCIH clinical director in overseeing the clinical aspects of the intramural program.

This exceptional opportunity is available to an accomplished scientist who has a demonstrated track record of internationally recognized basic, translational, and/or clinical pain research and the leadership skills to sustain a vibrant, collaborative team of colleagues within intramural programs across NIH.

Required Qualifications 

Applicants must possess an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree in the biomedical sciences and have demonstrated scientific leadership and/or senior-level research experience in a research program of national and international standing in an area relevant to pain research. The successful candidate will have a compelling vision for the future of the field and well-honed administrative, leadership, and interpersonal skills. NCCIH seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to maintain NCCIH’s research efforts at the forefront of science. Applicants should be known and respected within their field of research, both nationally and internationally, as distinguished individuals of outstanding scientific competence, and possess a record of achievement as a senior scientific administrator/executive leader. Applicants also must have demonstrated experience in setting, planning, implementing, and analyzing program objectives and priorities. Candidates should have the demonstrated ability to manage financial and human resources and lead a research program involving extensive internal and external collaboration.

Salary and Benefits

Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate. A full package of Federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). A recruitment and/or relocation incentive may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid.

Please read the guidance on Selective Service requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employment 

Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, with no discrimination for nonmerit reasons such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, or membership or nonmembership in an employee organization. NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

Standards of Conduct and Financial Disclosure

NIH inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles. NIH employees are subject to Federal Government–wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described at the NIH ethics website. We encourage you to review this information. The position is subject to a background investigation and requires the incumbent to complete a public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment.

Foreign Education 

Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the United States must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on foreign education verification, visit the NACES website. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.

Reasonable Accommodation 

NIH provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Information 

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, studies emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

How To Apply 

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, including a brief description of research and administrative experience; curriculum vitae (CV) and bibliography; and full contact information for three references. NIH and NCCIH are committed to building a diverse workforce and promoting an inclusive environment—so please include with your CV a description of mentoring and outreach activities in which you have been involved, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research. Application packages should be sent by email to Dr. Lisa Cunningham at NCCIHJobs@mail.nih.gov. Questions should be directed to Ms. Bernice Duran at the same email address.

Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, October 7, 2024, and must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 6, 2024, for consideration in the initial review period. Review of applications will begin on or about December 6, 2024, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. This position is subject to a background check.

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTH DATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON APPLICATION MATERIALS.

HHS, NIH, and NCCIH are Equal Opportunity Employers