Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Division of Preclinical Innovation
Supervisory Biochemist, GS-0401-15
DIRECTOR, Translational Bioengineering Program
AC1491
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Rockville, Maryland
$148,484 – $176,300 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 who can lead a Translational Bioengineering Program in generating efficacy, toxicity, and omics data sets from the 3D organotypic models and disseminate those data to the larger scientific and medical communities.
This position serves as a Senior Scientist directing the Translational Bioengineering Program that is located within the Early Translation Branch (ETB), Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation. This position leads 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 DPI. 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 must possess a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in directing and managing a large and scientifically diverse research program, with well-honed 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 initiative. S/he must 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 creating 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, s/he must 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 other nonprofit organizations.
The ideal candidate will be an internationally recognized and highly 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 must 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 must 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 must 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 successful applicant will be internationally recognized as an expert in the use of engineered assay platforms for therapeutics discovery and development. 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. The current salary range for this position is $148,484 – $176,300. A full Civil Service package of benefits (including retirement, health, life and long-term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan participation, etc.) is available. 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 by applying via usajobs.gov to announcement number NIH-NCATS-DH-22-11267244. Please include in your CV a description of mentoring and outreach activities in which you have been involved, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research. Questions regarding the application process should be addressed to NCATSRecruitAC1491@mail.nih.gov. Application packages will only be accepted electronically through USAJOBS and must be received between the dates of 02/22/2022 – 03/03/2022.
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.