Staff Scientist 1 (Pain Neurocircuitry and Cellular Plasticity Lab)

Program Overview 

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) invites applications for a staff scientist position in the Pain Neurocircuitry and Cellular Plasticity Lab (PNCPL, Principal Investigator Yarimar Carrasquillo, Ph.D.). The successful candidate will be part of a growing research program focused on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying the bidirectional modulation of pain in the brain at cellular and circuit levels. PNCPL is part of NCCIH’s Division of Intramural Research (DIR) and is affiliated with the Intramural Research Programs of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Learn more about the NIH Intramural Training Program.

The successful candidate will work closely with the PNCPL principal investigator and fellows to advance the research program through experimental design, data acquisition, data analysis and curation, dissemination of findings, and direct trainee mentorship. Ongoing efforts are focused on studying brain mechanisms underlying the intersection of physical pain with affective states. In addition to supporting lab members and ongoing studies, the staff scientist will contribute ideas to long-term goals and priorities of the research program and will develop and lead independent projects that fall within the PNCPL mission in collaboration with the principal investigator.

Position Duties

Specific responsibilities for the staff scientist include:

• Conduct research as a team member within the section and in the context of PNCPL collaborations.
• Independently complete data analysis and contribute to interpretation of results.
• Prepare manuscripts for submission and results for grant proposals, scientific meetings, and other lab-related documents.
• Mentor and assist with the day-to-day supervision and training of PNCPL junior lab members in standard and novel methods, analytic approaches, and manuscript preparation.
• Participate in the design of new experiments and provide insights on potential new lines of work within the PNCPL mission.
• Interact with PNCPL members and the neuroscience community within and outside of NIH to develop and implement cutting-edge methodologies to address scientific questions of interest.
• Capitalize on the PNCPL expertise to design and lead independent multidisciplinary projects.
• In collaboration with the lab manager, manage animal protocols, ensure compliance with safety and animal use regulations, serve as point of contact for shipping and receiving lab supplies and equipment, and assist with general lab function, including assisting in the decision-making for purchases, overseeing hardware/software upgrades, and evaluating existing resources.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in neuroscience or a discipline related/relevant to neurophysiology. In addition, applicants must have expertise and at least 5 years of experience in preclinical pain research. The candidate should have a strong record of expertise using behavioral mouse models of pain, molecular genetics, viral-mediated anatomical traces, histology, and in-vivo manipulations of cells and circuits in the brain, with publications demonstrating these skills. The applicant must have strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability to work in collaborative projects, and should be able to design experiments, interpret results, and write manuscripts. Due to the critical interactive nature of this position, excellent teamwork and communication skills and evidence of success training others (e.g., through mentorship, workshops, teaching) are required. Highly competitive candidates will also possess expertise with fiber photometry and in-vivo recordings or imaging.

Salary and Benefits 

Salary will be commensurate with the staff scientist I level, depending on experience and accomplishments. A full civil service package of benefits (e.g., retirement; health, life, and long-term care insurance; Thrift Savings Plan) is available. See NIH's Office of Human Resources for more information.

How To Apply 

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest including a brief description of their research and experience related to the position; a separate statement describing the mentoring and outreach activities in which they have been involved, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research; a curriculum vitae (CV) and bibliography; and two letters of recommendation from references familiar with their expertise and research experience.

Application packages should be sent to Renata Baginski at NCCIHJobs@mail.nih.gov. Please include the following in the subject line: "NCCIH – Staff Scientist 1 Application [insert your name]." Questions should be addressed to Renata Baginski at the same email address.

Applications will be accepted beginning July 6, 2026, and must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 6, 2026, for consideration in the review period. Review of applications will begin on or about August 10, 2026. 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.

Pain Neurocircuitry and Cellular Plasticity Lab
Division of Intramural Research
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services