Director, Office of Cancer Centers

Director, Office of Cancer Centers
Office of the Director
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services

The Person: The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the largest research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), seeks a senior scientist to serve as Director, Office of Cancer Centers (OCC). The OCC supports 72 NCI-designated cancer centers nationwide that are actively engaged in transdisciplinary research to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality. The NCI-designated Cancer Centers are a major source of discovery with respect to cancer and translating these discoveries into more effective approaches for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for patients and communities. 

This challenging and highly visible position requires broad scientific expertise, a passion for public service, and a commitment to collaboration. The OCC is a highly visible national program which oversees large and complex core infrastructure grants to enhance fundamental and translational cancer research at NCI-designated cancer centers. Continuing to realize scientific opportunities now and in the future at OCC will require visionary leadership, strong administrative skills, and sound scientific judgment to ensure the greatest possible return from NCI investments. 

The Director provides scientific leadership and guidance for OCC programs and activities including an operational budget of $2 million and a substantial grants portfolio of $322 million that supports the infrastructure for transdisciplinary research at NCI-designated cancer centers. The Director, OCC also serves as a senior leader within NCI as a member of the Institute’s governance body, which provides advice to the NCI Director and assists with decision making for many critical issues including operations, strategic planning, scientific priorities, and funding. For more information about OCC, visit http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/

Position Requirements: The successful applicant will have a Ph.D. or M.D., with specialized training, experience, and track record of accomplishments in a specific area of basic laboratory, clinical or population-based research in cancer, as well as broad knowledge of current advances and developments in each of these areas. Of special importance are scientific vision; leadership skills; experience in the development and management of cancer research programs in at least one of the areas noted above; understanding of new technologies; and the ability to identify and articulate scientific, management, and policy issues to NCI leadership, and to collaborate with high level administrators in complex cancer research organizations. Familiarity with the NCI-designated cancer centers program is a key asset.

Salary/Benefits: This position will be filled under a Title 42(f) excepted service appointment.  Salary is based on the position’s compensation range with a not-to-exceed amount of $248,000 and 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.  Appointees may be US citizens or resident aliens.

At the discretion of the supervisor and NIH policy, you may be eligible for workplace flexibilities, which may include remote work or telework options and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with NIH Workplace Flexibilities guidance.  

How to Apply: Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae, bibliography, and full contact details for three references. In addition, applicants must prepare three statements: (1) a vision statement, (2) a statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements, and (3) a statement demonstrating your experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Please limit all statements to two pages each and submit them with your application at https://service.cancer.gov/nci-scss.do#/. NCI will begin accepting applications on June 18, 2024 through August 19, 2024 (~60 days) until 11:59 PM.

You may email the Workforce Management Branch at [email protected] for more information about this vacancy.

Applications from women, persons from underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

HHS, NIH and NCI are Equal Opportunity Employers