SENIOR INVESTIGATOR AND CHIEF – CENTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH RESEARCH

SENIOR INVESTIGATOR AND CHIEF

Center for Climate Change and Health Research

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is recruiting for a Senior Investigator to serve as the new Chief of the Center for Climate Change and Health Research (CCCHR) within the Division of Intramural Research. The NIEHS is located in Research Triangle Park (RTP), near the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University and Duke University.

The NIEHS is a premier research institute where intramural investigators study a wide range of important biologic processes and conduct population and clinical research related to effects of the environment on human health. The CCCHR is a new trans-NIH center focused on addressing the impacts of climate change on human health. The goal of the CCCHR is to build a cadre of scientists in the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP) interested in Climate Change and Health (CCH) research and foster cross-cutting and convergent research partnerships. The activities of the CCCHR are in line with the NIH Climate Change and Health Initiative and Strategic Framework, a coordinated effort to support research, training, and capacity building activities that address the climate crisis. The Chief of the CCCHR will be responsible for establishing and organizing its scientific program. In addition, the Chief will oversee organization of scientific activities that foster collaboration and synergy amongst IRP investigators, with a focus on addressing the impacts of climate change on health. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic vision for enhancing the visibility of CCH research in the NIH IRP as well as increasing the profile of IRP researchers in the climate change and health field. Finally, the Chief will oversee coordination of the Intramural Targeted Climate Change and Health program which funds meritorious intramural research projects on climate change and health.  The selected candidate will also maintain an active independent research program in a relevant field.

Principal Investigators in the NIH IRP can focus primarily on scientific research since they have no formal teaching requirements and are fully supported with internal funds. They engage directly in high risk/high reward research with postdoctoral fellows, students, biologists/chemists, staff scientists and data scientists, and collaborate with intramural and extramural colleagues to solve important scientific problems.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be tenure-eligible based on an outstanding academic record of achievement, leadership and mentorship capabilities, and have demonstrated interest and experience in CCH research. The Chief will be responsible for continuing a high-level independent research program in his/her specific area of interest as well as having responsibility for leading and developing a strategic vision for the CCCHR. Resources for establishment of the independent research laboratory of the Chief will be provided as will access to all core facilities and research support at NIEHS. Successful candidates must have demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and lead programs, and have skills needed to develop partnerships with other researchers throughout the NIH to support the scientific interactions necessary to build a successful CCCHR. Applicants should have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree and a demonstrated interest in research focused on understanding the biological mechanisms and risk factors underlying the effects of climate change on health and the underpinnings of climate-related health disparities.

Salary/Benefits:

The successful candidate for this position will be eligible for a tenured appointment and will receive a salary commensurate with experience and accomplishments. The successful candidate will receive full Federal benefits, including leave, health and life insurance, retirement, and savings plan (401K equivalent).

How to Apply:

Review of applications will begin May 20, 2024. The search will be closed once the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit materials as PDFs via email to Bonnie Earnhardt at [email protected]. All emails should include vacancy number AC1575 in the subject line. A complete application includes:

• Curriculum Vitae Include the full curriculum vitae including bibliography.
• Statement of commitment to DEIA principles including a description of mentoring and outreach activities, especially those involving women and persons from other groups which are underrepresented in biomedical research (not to exceed 1 page).
• Statement of Past Research and Future Plans (not to exceed 4 pages).
• Statement of the Candidate’s Vision for Field of Climate Change and Health (not to exceed 1 page)
• Arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to [email protected]. Letters should be on official letterhead and signed. Referees must include the applicant’s name and vacancy number AC1575 in the email subject line.

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Paul Wade, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected].

Commitment to Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity: The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The United States Government prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

Foreign Education:

Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on foreign education verification, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.

Reasonable Accommodation: 

NIH provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The NIH is the premier biomedical research center for the world. Its 27 institutes and centers employ more than 18,000 employees doing a vast array of jobs, all supporting efforts for a healthy nation. For information about the NIH mission, goals and institutes and centers, visit https://www.nih.gov/about-nih.

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