Director, NIH Ctr. for Biomed. Eng. and Tech. Acceleration (βETA) and NIBIB Assoc. Dir. for Sci. DEI

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), a research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), seeks to identify an outstanding Director to lead a new trans-NIH Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology Acceleration (βETA), located in Bethesda, MD. NIH βETA will accelerate the development, validation, and dissemination of high-impact biomedical technologies to address urgent national and global health needs.

The Director will work closely with NIBIB/NIH leadership and the NIH community to establish NIH βETA as a new campus model for accelerating technology-driven interdisciplinary research and clinical translation. In addition to playing a key role in the design of NIH βETA, the Director will provide overall executive direction, coordination, and scientific leadership of the Center. NIH βETA will be housed within NIBIB’s Intramural Research Program and comprise researchers with specialized expertise in critical areas such as biomedical imaging, biosensing, engineered/synthetic biology, nano/biomaterials, artificial intelligence, modeling, computation, and informatics. The Center’s core personnel will include NIBIB intramural investigators as well as a diverse network of researchers (some will have joint appointments) and trainees from other NIH Institutes, Centers, and NIH’s Clinical Center, the nation's largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research.

The Director will manage unique NIBIB resources that include custom design, testing, and fabrication/prototyping facilities, imaging probe development, and a Radiology Fellows training program.  The Director will also lead a research program in their own laboratory and have the opportunity to establish additional resources that are essential for advancing biomedical engineering at NIH.  These may include modeling, computation, data science, and software engineering capabilities, as well as new mechanisms for accelerating the “design-build-test-deploy” cycle of problem-driven biomedical technology development, including partnerships with NIH technology transfer and development offices.

Investigators within NIH βETA will be expected to rapidly assemble expert teams of scientists, clinicians, technologists, and other stakeholders within the Federal government and across the academic, non-profit, and private sectors to overcome the scientific, technological, regulatory, and policy barriers to technology development. The knowledge and products generated by the Center will play a key role in informing the design and operation of future research programs, responding to public health challenges, and delivering tangible solutions to critical healthcare problems. Additionally, the Center will create and support new education and training opportunities at NIH for biomedical imaging and bioengineering students and fellows at all levels.

Central to NIH βETA’s mission will be employing evidence-driven approaches to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion within NIBIB’s Intramural Research Program and serving as a model for recruiting diverse biomedical engineering talent to NIH. As such, the Center Director will also serve as NIBIB’s Associate Director for Scientific Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as part of NIH’s UNITE initiative, whose aims are to improve NIH’s culture and structure for equity, inclusion and excellence; to remove barriers to professional growth for staff from diverse backgrounds; and to track, advance, and coordinate NIBIB’s efforts to increase diversity. In this role, the Associate Director will advise and support NIBIB senior leadership and staff in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs to achieve the Institute’s goals for diversity and help represent NIBIB in agency-wide initiatives.

The applicant must have an exceptional record of scientific achievement, experience in building multi-disciplinary technology programs, and a respected national and international standing in biomedical imaging and bioengineering.  The desired candidate will be eligible to be a tenured Senior Investigator in NIBIB;  the NIH’s Central Tenure Committee must approve the candidate’s credentials for tenure before finalization of the appointment.

Information about NIBIB is available at: www.nibib.nih.gov .

LOCATION: Bethesda, MD

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: NIBIB seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic and diverse organization. Applicants must possess a Ph.D. and/or M.D. or equivalent doctoral level degree in biomedical engineering, or a related field.  Applicants will ideally have proven experience in directing and managing a diverse scientific research program and will have well-honed administrative and interpersonal skills; be highly skilled in facilitating productive interactions among researchers; and possess the credentials to lead research across a spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research and technology development.  Top candidates must have an ability to provide strong mentorship and to create opportunities in support of an equitable, inclusive, and diverse workforce, and possess a record of accomplishments in these areas. Applicants should be known and respected within their profession, both nationally and internationally, as distinguished individuals of outstanding scientific competence and integrity. This position will be filled under a Title 42 (f) excepted service appointment.

VACCINATION MANDATE: In accordance with Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to exceptions that may be required by law. If selected, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before your entrance on duty if you are selected after the compliance date. Your HR Consultant will provide a list of documents acceptable as proof of vaccination and instructions for how to submit a request for a legally required exception, if needed, to comply with vaccination requirement.

SALARY/BENEFITS: The Center Director / Associate Director will be appointed at a salary commensurate with his/her qualifications and experience.  Full Federal benefits, including leave, retirement, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, and savings plan (401K equivalent) will be provided.  A recruitment or relocation bonus may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid.  Resources will be available to support the Center Director / Associate Director’s own research program.

EXPANDED/MAXIMUM TELEWORK POSTURE: Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in a maximum telework posture.  If selected, you may be expected to telework upon your appointment. As employees are permitted to return to the office, you may be required to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 30 calendar days of receiving notice to do so, even if your home/temporary telework site is located outside the local commuting area. Your position 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 the HHS Workplace Flexibilities policy.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, with no discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.  The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The National Institutes of Health inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles.  NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes, as well as agency-specific regulations described at the NIH Ethics Website.  We encourage you to review this information.  The position is subject to a background investigation and requires the incumbent to complete a public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment.

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 accommodations 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.

HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants must submit a current Curriculum Vitae, bibliography (if not included in the CV), and full contact details for five references.  In addition, applicants are asked to prepare two statements: 1) a statement describing their prior research and administrative experience and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as relevant to the position description; and 2) a vision statement outlining what they plan to achieve in the position (please limit both statements to two pages each). Application packages should be sent via email to Mrs. Jacqueline Martinez-Headon at jacqueline.martinez@nih.gov. You may contact Dr. C. Taylor Gilliland with questions and for more information about this vacancy at c.gilliland@nih.gov or 240-703-2285.

Applications should be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 8, 2021. Review of applications will begin shortly thereafter, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

All information provided by the candidate will remain confidential and will not be released outside the NIBIB search process without a signed release from the candidate. 

DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTH DATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) ON APPLICATION MATERIALS.

DHHS, NIH, and NIBIB are Equal Opportunity Employers