Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

National Institute on Aging

Intramural Research Program

Staff Scientist 1

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is recruiting for a Staff Scientist in the Longitudinal Studies Section (LSS), Translational Gerontology Branch (TGB) in Baltimore, MD.  The LSS focuses on mechanisms underlying heterogeneity in human health and function with aging, including molecular, cellular, physiologic and behavioral factors.  In addition to longitudinal studies of aging, the LSS carries out smaller human studies of mechanisms and collaborates with other laboratories to pursue translational aging research across species.

The Staff Scientist will be responsible for designing and quality control of epidemiological questionnaires and training interviewers and will have experience in the development of complex analytical variables and harmonization of data collected over extended periods of time.  The incumbent will be fully involved in the reorganization and documentation of the data and material from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) with the aim of maximizing the use of this research database by the scientific community at large.  The incumbent will manage electronic sources, have knowledge of the principles of data sharing and legislations about privacy, study participants protection, and consent to participation in research projects.  He or she will provide oversight of Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, communication of adverse events, and all other elements that are required to maintain an epidemiological study while maximizing the utilization of the data collected by multiple users.  The incumbent will have experience in writing Standard Operating Procedures and general documentation for epidemiological data.

The successful individual must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences or related fields, with more than 5 combined years of postdoctoral and working experience in a translational laboratory setting.  The individual should possess an understanding many types of “omics” data, including pre-processing and harmonization with other epidemiological data and will have experience in epidemiology and biostatistics, particularly in the field of longitudinal study of aging.

Staff Scientists do not receive independent resources, although they often work independently and have sophisticated skills and knowledge essential to the work of the Laboratory.  Although this Staff Scientist will be supervised by the Section Chief, he or she will interact with the scientists from the IRP and scientific community at large.  The successful candidate will have experience in collaborative research documented in publications and more generally will have a history of publications that reflect experience in the analytical requirements of this position. 

Salary is commensurate with research experience and accomplishments.  A full Civil Service package of benefits (including retirement, health, life, and long-term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan participation, etc.) is available.  All employees of the Federal Government are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct.  Additional information regarding the NIA IRP is available at the following website: www.irp.nia.nih.gov 

To apply: Please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, bibliography, major research contributions and how they were achieved, and three letters of recommendation to: Sarah Lewis, Intramural Program Specialist; Office of the Scientific Director, National Institute on Aging; Vacancy #NIA-IRP-21-03; via email: niairpjobs@mail.nih.gov 

Applications, including letters of recommendation, must reference the Vacancy #NIA-IRP-21-03.  The first round of reviews is expected to occur on or about April 12, 2021; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs and encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.