Director, Division of Aging Biology

The National Institute on Aging is seeking an innovative leader to serve as Director of its extramural Division of Aging Biology (DAB). The position is in the Office of the Director (OD), National Institute on Aging (NIA), located in Bethesda, MD and reports directly to the NIA Director.

Over the last two decades research on the biological mechanisms of aging has expanded exponentially. It is now widely acknowledged that the mechanisms of aging determine the quality of health and function, as well as contribute to the pathogenesis and modulation the progression of most chronic diseases. A greater understanding of the aging process is a fundamental step toward identifying new preventive and therapeutic strategies that can improve the human life span and reduce the burden of age-related chronic diseases, with large benefits to individuals and society.

The DAB has a fundamental role in the accomplishment of this goal with a focus on advancing research on aging by providing funding support to academic institutions across the United States through grants and programs to enable research that investigates the basic biology of aging at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels in a variety of model systems. Through its multitude of diverse funding programs, DAB supports and ensures continuity and stability in ongoing lines of basic aging research while encouraging and facilitating the emergence of new ideas, concepts, technologies, and novel organizational models for aging research. The DAB portfolio is exceptionally broad, covering all research fields of basic aging biology, including fundamental genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of aging, the study of aging in different model systems including comparative studies, search for mechanisms of longevity, and the testing of behavioral and pharmacological treatments in model systems for improvement of health-span and lifespan. Because of the strong translational nature of the topic addressed, the work of DAB is strongly connected with the research conducted by other components of NIA, as well as other NIH institutes and academic institutions with many opportunities for collaborative projects and cross-fertilization of different areas of biological, behavioral, and medical research. These goals of the DAB are implemented through extramural grants, cooperative agreements, collaborative projects, contracts, and other activities. Additional information regarding the DAB is available at the following website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dab.

The Division Director serves as the scientific and administrative leader of the DAB and provides scientific expertise and strategic vision for the DAB portfolio, including identification of emerging new directions for basic aging research, support of novel technologies, and development of collaborative programs with other NIA extramural divisions, the NIA Intramural Research Program, and other NIH Institutes. The Division Director oversees all administrative operations of the DAB and has responsibility for: (1) scientific planning and strategy, (2) operational administration of the division; (3) oversight of all the division’s grants and cooperative agreement research activities; (4) budget management; and (5) working with and advising NIA senior leadership on the development and implementation of long-range strategic, scientific, facility and business plans for the division. The Division Director oversees approximately 34 scientific and administrative staff and an operating budget of $960,000 (not including personnel costs) and an extramural research portfolio of approximately $400 million.

Position Requirements: The successful candidate must have an M.D. and/or Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline and have extensive training and experience in research on the biology of aging or other related disciplines. The successful candidate will have experience in collaborative research as documented in publications and more generally will have a history of publications that reflect experience in the requirements of the position. In addition, the candidate must have demonstrated administrative skills in supervising scientific and administrative staff, in overseeing complex research programs, and in collaborating and enhancing partnerships in the aging research community. The candidate should also have exceptional leadership skills, including experience in developing strategic goals, working collaboratively across disciplines, budgetary planning and management, and managing human resources. Experience as an NIH grant administrator is not required. A successful candidate will also have demonstrated experience leading people while navigating change and must have a demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Eligible candidates who are also active researchers may establish a small laboratory research program in the NIA IRP.

Salary/Benefits: This position will be filled under a Title 42 excepted service appointment. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate. A recruitment or relocation bonus may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid. A full package of federal Civil Service benefits is available including: retirement, health and life insurance, long term care insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). The successful candidate may be subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure requirements. All employees of the Federal Government are subject to the conflict-of- interest statutes and regulations, including Standards of Ethical Conduct. US Citizenship is not required.

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, bibliography, a vision statement a statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements listed above and a statement on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (please limit statements to two pages each) to [email protected] NIA will begin accepting applications on and plans to have the position open for 60 days or until filled.

You may contact [email protected] with questions and for more information about this vacancy.

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