National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences-Rockville, Maryland $163,964 -191,900 per annum with full federal government benefit 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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is seeking applications from exceptional scientists to serve as the Director of the Early Translation Branch (ETB), Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation (DPI). The ETB is home to approximately 80 scientists and trainees with diverse backgrounds, including biology, chemistry, and informatics. ETB hosts a broad collaborative program for the discovery of drug candidates directed towards diseases with unmet therapeutic need (with an emphasis on rare diseases), as well as the development of pharmacological tools to probe the function of the human genome. ETB also conducts research to understand the underlying principles driving the translation of basic research discoveries into tangible improvements in human health by focusing on the early stages of the drug discovery and development process, with a strong emphasis on collaboration.

The ETB Director is responsible for planning and directing a comprehensive program in the discovery of pharmacological tools to probe the function of the human genome and to understand and improve the processes underlying early discovery. Research areas include the discovery of probe molecules to interrogate biology and de-risk disease hypotheses, using approaches such as high-throughput screening and computational methods, developing innovative methods for assaying the biological activity of novel gene targets and pathways, with a commitment to an open approach to sharing methodologies and data. ETB leverages state-of-the-art discovery resources - including robotic high-throughput screening facilities, compound management, and analytical chemistry - to deliver on this mission.

The incumbent will serve as a senior leader for the science and administration of this large and complex early translation program and serve as the spokesperson for the Branch at conferences and various stakeholder meetings, both nationally and internationally. In consultation with the NCATS Scientific Director (SD), the incumbent is responsible for managing the research portfolio of ETB, ensuring ETB adapts to shifting discovery paradigms where necessary to remain state-of-the-art in its field, and enabling effective partnerships with other programs within DPI and NCATS. In partnership with the NCATS SD, the incumbent is responsible for establishing the goals and objectives for the ETB, ensuring alignment with the goals and objectives determined at higher levels within the Center, and managing a collaborative portfolio of preclinical projects. The incumbent is also responsible for developing long and short-range plans and establishing priorities, determining the resources required to support planned activities, and developing and defending annual budgets for the program.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position, from an accredited college or university or have a combination of experience and education which includes courses comparable to a major in a biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to this position and have appropriate experience or additional education which demonstrates similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in the following tasks: directing and managing a large scientifically diverse research program in comprehensive early translational science; working in a multi-disciplinary research environment related to the pre-clinical development of various therapeutic modalities; consolidating research information to generate new strategies and approaches in collaboration with other scientists; overseeing therapeutic development of rare diseases, including small molecule, biologic, and gene therapy approaches; and accomplishing early discovery through the pre-clinical development of therapeutics and diagnostics to proof- of -concept in humans.

Ideal Candidate:

• Strong background in biomedical sciences as well as a record of accomplishment in academic and/or biopharmaceutical pre-clinical translation, with demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary research groups in technology and therapeutic/diagnostic/intervention discovery.
• High-level expertise in planning and directing a comprehensive program in early translational science, from target validation through the discovery of pharmacological tools to probe the function of the human genome.
• Proven ability to creatively approach and solve complex technical problems in the preclinical development space.
• Extensive research training and experience in academia, the biopharmaceutical industry, and/or the government. Recognized nationally and internationally for scientific leadership.
• Expertise and accomplishment in multiple aspects of preclinical translation from early discovery through the preclinical development of therapeutics and/or diagnostics to proof-of-concept in humans.
• Has broad and first-hand knowledge of the field of rare disease therapeutic development, including small molecule, biologic, and gene-therapy approaches.
• Evidence of commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)

Salary and Benefits:

The current salary range for this position is $163,964 - $191,900 per annum. A full federal government benefit package (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. The NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described at the NIH Ethics website: ethics.od.nih.gov.

How to Apply:

U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being U.S. National must be met by closing date. Please submit a current resume and complete bibliography; and the names and contact information of five references by applying via usajobs.gov to announcement number NIH-NCATS-DH-25-12533093. Please include in your resume 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. Application packages will only be accepted electronically through USAJOBS and must be received between the dates of October 7, 2024-October 16, 2024.

All information provided by candidates will remain confidential. Applications from women, persons from underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is subject to a background investigation. DHHS, NIH, and NCATS are equal opportunity employers. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community through its training an employment program.