Senior Scientist

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

Division of Preclinical Innovation

Supervisory Biochemist, RF-0401-00

DIRECTOR, Translational Bioengineering Program

AC1491

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Rockville, Maryland with full Civil Service package including retirement, health, and life insurance.

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking a Senior Scientist with scientific, administrative, and leadership credentials to lead a Translational Bioengineering Program. The goals of this program include generating efficacy, toxicity, and omics data sets from 3D organotypic models and disseminating those data to the larger scientific and medical communities.

The selected candidate will serve as Senior Scientist and direct the Translational Bioengineering Program that is located within the Early Translation Branch (ETB), Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation. This Senior Scientist will lead the creation of a portfolio of normal and disease 3D organotypic cellular models that are validated and clinically benchmarked. The models in the portfolio would include spheroids, organoids, biofabricated tissues and tissues-on-chips. The Program would also develop engineering solutions to operationalize the use of bioengineered assay platforms for medium throughput screening. Biological assay technologies would be adapted to the automated screening platforms that exist within the NCATS Division of Preclinical Innovation (https://ncats.nih.gov/preclinical). Efficacy, toxicology, and metabolic screens would be implemented for small molecules, antibodies, gene therapies and cell-based therapies using 3D organotypic cellular models.

Qualifications:  Applicants should possess a degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) in biological sciences, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants should have demonstrated experience in directing and managing a large and scientifically diverse research program, with demonstrated administrative and interpersonal skills to meet the demands of both research and program direction, and the ability to influence, inspire, and empower scientists and administrative staff to be creative, self-motivated, entrepreneurial achievers who deliver on the mission of the organization through individual and collaborative initiatives. They should have expertise and accomplishment in performing the following types of tasks: utilizing 3D printing techniques to create a broad range of biologically functional tissue models; utilizing 3D printing techniques to create functional disease models for drug discovery; establishing and nurturing collaborative partnerships, including the creation of intramural /extramural partnerships; scaling biologically functional tissues and disease models for drug discovery, including high-throughput screening in multi-well plates; applying 3D printed models to the work of drug development teams to develop medical countermeasures for improving human health. Finally, the candidate should be a collaborative leader with demonstrated experience in engaging a broad range of stakeholders, such as scientists from different disciplines, patient advocacy groups, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

The ideal candidate will be a nationally and/or internationally recognized and accomplished researcher in preclinical drug development and the application of the recent advances in the fields of engineering, biomaterials science, stem cell biology, physics, and medicine to the field of 3D bioprinting of living tissues. In addition, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated strategic and tactical capability to apply 3D organotypic cellular models to the preclinical therapeutic development process to innovate and accelerate therapeutic options. Finally, the candidate should possess the communication and people skills to convey progress on the novel application of 3D models to advance translational sciences. Applicants will possess detailed scientific knowledge of engineered assay platforms for therapeutic discovery and development using various 3D organotypic cellular models. They should possess the ability to devise and implement a strategic framework for integrating a range of bioengineered assay platforms to make the therapeutic development process faster and more efficient. The individual should understand the potential utility of applying bioengineered assay platforms to achieve maximal impact throughout the different stages of drug discovery. They will have extensive expertise in the development and use of 3D model assays in medium throughput screening platforms to better predict the effectiveness and toxicity of potential drugs in humans. The individual will demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively across all types of organizations and at all levels to achieve scientific goals.

Salary and Benefits:   The salary range is commensurate with experience and accomplishments.  Full Federal benefits-including leave, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement, and Savings Plan (401K equivalent)-will be provided.  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: http://ethics.od.nih.gov

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position including a career synopsis (1-3 pages); statement of research interests (1-2 pages); a current curriculum vitae and complete bibliography; and the names and contact information of five references to NCATSRecruitAC1491@mail.nih.gov. Please include in your CV a description of mentoring and outreach activities in which you have been involved, demonstrating commitment to workforce diversity enhancement.  Application packages will only be accepted electronically through the email listed above and must be received between the dates of 09/01/2022 – 09/30/2022.

All information provided by candidates will remain confidential and will not be released outside the NCATS search process without a signed release from candidates. The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities and individuals with disabilities.  DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.