Jobs at NICHD

DER develops, supports, and coordinates cross-cutting, multidisciplinary research activities within NICHD's mission, including efforts that focus on: demography, social sciences, and population dynamics; male and female fertility and infertility; development and evaluation of contraceptive methods; improvements in maternal health before, during, and after pregnancy; reductions in birth complications and increasing infant survival; safety and efficacy enhancements of pharmaceuticals for use in pregnant women, infants, and children; HIV infection and transmission prevention, AIDS, and associated infections; pediatric growth and endocrine research; child development and behavior; developmental biology and typical and atypical development; intellectual and developmental disabilities; gynecologic health conditions, including pelvic floor disorders; and childhood injury and critical illness.

DER is seeking a senior policy advisor for clinical research with strong leadership, collaborative, and communication skills to coordinate the development of NICHD policies, implement NIH clinical trial reforms, and ensure proper stewardship of the NICHD clinical research portfolio. The candidate should have extensive experience with the rigorous design and conduct of clinical research studies, particularly multicenter clinical trials testing drug, device, and/or behavioral interventions and comparative effectiveness research.

The successful candidate will provide guidance to NICHD leadership and DER staff on clinical and regulatory issues relevant to the NICHD extramural clinical research portfolio, which includes clinical trials. In addition, the candidate will provide technical and authoritative guidance for clinical research studies and trials supported by NICHD and serve as advisor to program staff, the DER director, and senior NICHD leadership on clinical, ethical, policy, and regulatory issues related to clinical research and trials within the NICHD mission. Other responsibilities include assisting with coordination, oversight, and guidance on areas of human subject protection, data and safety monitoring, clinical research operations, recruitment and other trial monitoring, regulatory compliance, and data sharing. 

NICHD will use the global recruitment program to fill this position. This is a supervisory position.

For additional information about this position, contact nichd-der-info@mail.nih.gov with a resume and letter of interest.

GMB performs management and internal control and acquisition functions for all NICHD grant programs, including the review and approval of grant proposals prior to award and the obligation of NICHD funds. To oversee these activities, GMB works closely with scientific program staff, consulting and advising on ways to achieve NICHD’s goals for its research grant program and to ensure proper stewardship of public funds, while also working with grantees to negotiate awards and respond to inquiries.

GMB is seeking a chief with a strong background in grants administration and applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The successful candidate should have the ability to analyze new or proposed grant-related legislation to develop or update grant policies/procedures; provide advice and guidance to senior managers on grant policies and program plans and/or strategies; evaluate issues of concern involving grant personnel and recipient organizations; and render decisions on appropriate terms and conditions of award. Excellent communication and leadership skills would be a plus.

NICHD recently finalized its strategic plan to guide activities over the next 5 years. As implement begins, the successful candidate will be able to shape scientific research opportunities that will directly affect the field, biomedical science, and public health for years to come.

NICHD is using the global recruitment program to fill this position. This is a supervisory position. Opening January 11, 2021, and closing January 15, 2021.

GS-15 Supervisory Grants Management Specialist (NIH-NICHD-MP-21-11004443) Merit Promotion for federal employees and other status applicants.

PPB supports research to improve the health of women before, during, and after pregnancy; reduce the number of preterm births and other complications; increase infant survival free from disease and disability; and ensure the long-term health of mothers and their children. PPB supports grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for research ranging from basic science to clinical trials.

PPB is seeking a chief who has a strong background in pregnancy and perinatology, with additional expertise in clinical research, including large, multicenter clinical trials. The candidate should also have a deep knowledge of research in obstetrics, pediatrics, and neonatology, especially in maternal-fetal medicine and related fields. A candidate with excellent communication and strong leadership skills would be a plus. The successful candidate will need the ability to define the scientific vision for the branch and find ways to implement that vision through the stimulation of research, research training, and research resources.

NICHD recently finalized its strategic plan to guide activities over the next 5 years. As implement begins, the successful candidate will be able to shape scientific research opportunities that will directly affect the field, biomedical science, and public health for years to come.

NICHD will use the global recruitment program to fill this position through the Physician—Extramural announcements. This is a supervisory position. Submissions will be accepted until an applicant is selected.

For additional information about this position, contact nichd-der-info@mail.nih.gov with a resume and letter of interest.

• Tenure-Track Developmental Biology Investigator (PDF 205 KB)
• Tenure-Track Translational Investigator (PDF 221 KB)
• Early-Stage Clinical Investigator (up to 2 positions) (PDF 166 KB)

Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Branch Tenure-Track Investigator (PDF 196 KB)

SRB isresponsible for a broad range of functions related to planning and conducting initial review of numerous types of grant applications and technical merit evaluation of contract proposals in the following areas: demography, social sciences, and population dynamics; male and female fertility and infertility; contraceptive methods development and evaluation; improvement of women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy; reduction of birth complications and increase in infant survival; safety and efficacy enhancements of pharmaceuticals for use in pregnant women, infants, and children; HIV infection and transmission, AIDS, and associated infections; pediatric growth and endocrine research; child development and behavior; developmental biology and typical and atypical development; intellectual and developmental disabilities; gynecologic health conditions, including pelvic floor disorders; and childhood injury and critical illness.

SRB is seeking a scientific review officer who can employ strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills in managing standing review committees and temporary scientific review groups, recruiting extramural scientists as peer reviewers, and providing policy direction and coordination for planning and conducting initial scientific and technical merit reviews for grant applications and contract proposals. The candidate should have completed all requirements for a doctoral-level degree (Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent) in a pertinent academic field.

NICHD recently finalized its strategic plan to guide activities over the next 5 years. As implementation begins, the successful candidate will be able to shape scientific research opportunities that will directly affect the field, biomedical science, and public health for years to come.

NICHD will use the global recruitment program to fill these positions. This is not a supervisory position.

For additional information about this position, contact nichd-der-info@mail.nih.gov with a resume and letter of interest.

CDBB supports research and training to understand the neurodevelopmental, psychological, behavioral, physical, and social-emotional development and health of infants, children and adolescents; explore how individual differences in development arise from genetic and environmental risk/protective factors; and inform prevention, intervention, and health promotion efforts designed to enhance their lives.

• CDBB is seeking a program officer for its Cognitive Development, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Psychobiology research program. Candidates should be able to develop a portfolio of interdisciplinary research on early neurodevelopment that capitalizes on technological advances in neuroimaging, neuro-genomics, and neuro-assessment to examine interrelated developmental changes in brain structure and function, gene regulation and expression, and complex behavior and cognition, in both human and comparative neurobiology studies. Candidates should possess a strong background in developmental cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging—especially in pediatric populations—with additional expertise in developmental psychology and neuro-genomics with infants and young children. In addition, the successful candidate will have excellent communication and leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of the field.
• For its Language, Bilingualism, and Biliteracy research program, CDBB seeks a program officer who will use deep knowledge of research in developmental psychology, linguistics, and cognitive neuroscience—especially in pediatric populations—to develop and maintain a research portfolio that supports and encourages research on the neurodevelopmental, social, and environmental factors that impair or enhance the developmental trajectories supporting bilingual development in the home and community settings, and how biliterate development is linked to child and adolescent health outcomes. The candidate should have a strong background in developmental neuroscience and developmental psychology, with additional expertise in linguistics and language disorders. Excellent communication and leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of the field are also desired.

NICHD recently finalized its strategic plan to guide activities over the next 5 years. As implementation begins, the successful candidate will be able to shape scientific research opportunities that will directly affect the field, biomedical science, and public health for years to come.

NICHD will use the global recruitment program to fill these positions. These are not supervisory positions.

For additional information about this position, contact nichd-der-info@mail.nih.gov with a resume and letter of interest.

GHDB aims to improve women’s reproductive health by guiding and supporting gynecologic research and career development programs in the areas of menstruation, fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic floor disorders, and gynecologic pain syndromes. Read more details on the GHDB Scientific Vision (PDF 1.6 MB).

GHDB is seeking a program officer with a strong background in basic and/or clinical gynecologic pain research in women or relevant animal models. Expertise should span a fundamental understanding of peripheral and central pain mechanisms, emerging diagnostic approaches, standardization of assessment criteria, and development of non-pharmacologic and non-opioid treatment modalities.

The successful candidate will provide scientific leadership and administer grants in support of basic, translational, and clinical research in the areas of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and vulvodynia. Furthermore, the incumbent will participate in pain research initiatives across NICHD and as a representative to trans-NIH pain-related initiatives.

NICHD recently finalized its strategic plan to guide activities over the next 5 years. As implementation begins, the successful candidate will be able to shape scientific research opportunities that will directly affect the field, biomedical science, and public health for years to come.

NICHD will use the global recruitment program to fill these positions. This is not a supervisory position.

For additional information about this position, contact nichd-der-info@mail.nih.gov with a resume and letter of interest.

IDDB develops scientific initiatives and supports research and research training related to intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including common and rare neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Down, Fragile X, and Rett syndromes; inborn errors of metabolism; autism spectrum disorders; and conditions currently and soon-to-be detectable through newborn screening. The branch has a long history of providing support for a diverse portfolio of research projects, contracts, training programs, and research centers dedicated to promoting the well-being of individuals with IDDs at all stages of development.

IDDB is seeking program officers with clinical and/or research expertise related to genetic and/or metabolic disorders that affect cognitive development, especially in pediatric populations, and with experience in clinical trial study design and management. In addition, the candidates should have training in clinical genetics and genomics, as evidenced by knowledge of the genetic and chromosomal basis of many forms of IDD, or in developmental and behavioral pediatrics or child and adolescent psychiatry, as evidenced by knowledge of approaches to research and treatment of individuals with these conditions. For applicants with medical degrees, the candidates should have training in the specialties of medical genetics, pediatrics or child and adolescent psychiatry, or developmental and behavioral pediatrics.

Successful candidates will coordinate trans-NIH initiatives related to newborn screening for IDDs; serve as liaisons with patient advocacy groups and stakeholders both within and outside the government; and manage a diverse portfolio of grants and/or contracts related to IDDs, metabolic and genetic disorders, and newborn screening conditions. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and in-depth knowledge of the field would be pluses.

NICHD recently finalized its strategic plan to guide activities over the next 5 years. As implementation begins, the successful candidate will be able to shape scientific research opportunities that will directly affect the field, biomedical science, and public health for years to come.

NICHD will use the global recruitment program to fill these positions. These are not supervisory positions.

For additional information about this position, contact nichd-der-info@mail.nih.gov with a resume and letter of interest.

OPPTB promotes basic, translational, and clinical research to improve the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals and other therapeutics, and to ensure centralization and coordination of research, clinical trials, and drug development activities for maternal and pediatric populations. The branch is responsible for implementing and overseeing the NIH portion of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act of 2002 (BPCA) and its subsequent reauthorizations. The BPCA legislation promotes the prioritization of off-patent drugs that need further study in pediatrics and allows NICHD to sponsor clinical research on prioritized therapeutics and disseminate results to improve drug labeling.

OPPTB is seeking a program officer who has a strong basic, translational, or clinical research background relevant to therapeutic treatment of pregnant and lactating women, neonates, and children. The incumbent may have a variety of backgrounds that relate to this role such as training in using real world evidence for developing clinical practice guidelines or in maternal-fetal medicine, or research experience in drug transport across the placenta or mammary tissues. Also desired are strong communication and collaborative skills and evidence of working in teams to accomplished shared goals. This position offers unique and exciting opportunities to provide scientific leadership and to administer grants/contracts in support of maternal and pediatric research in the United States.

NICHD recently finalized its strategic plan to guide activities over the next 5 years. OPPTB expects to be heavily involved in applying aspects of the implementation plan submitted by the Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC). As implementation of these plans begins, the successful candidate will be able to shape scientific research opportunities that will directly affect the field, biomedical science, and public health for years to come.

NICHD will use the global recruitment program to fill this position. This is not a supervisory position.

For additional information about this position, contact nichd-der-info@mail.nih.gov with a resume and letter of interest.