Associate Director, Division of Extramural Activities

LOCATION: Bethesda, Maryland

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Associate Director, Division of Extramural Activities (DEA). The DEA functions as an umbrella organization, developing and implementing scientific and administrative initiatives and coordinating the activities of the Institute’s three extramural scientific divisions, the divisions of Neuroscience, Translational Research and Clinical Research. DEA oversees the process for awarding an extramural budget of approximately $2.2 billion/year.

In addition to oversight of NINDS specific appropriations, NINDS also plays a significant leadership role in NIH-wide initiatives critical to advancing the NIH mission. These include: the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative®; the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience, the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-termSM (HEAL) Initiative, the Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) programs, the NIH Pain Research Consortium, the Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Program, the Office of Emergency Care Research (OECR) at NIH, the TransNIH Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Working Group, the Undiagnosed Disease Network (UDN), and a number of Interagency Coordinating Committees, including the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee and the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee.

Qualifications

NINDS ideal candidates:

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• Must possess an M.D., and/or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience or a related biomedical field, with broad senior-level research experience and direct experience in the administration of a research program.
• Have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic and diverse organization.
• Applicants should be known and respected within their profession, both nationally and internationally, as a distinguished individual of outstanding scientific competence and administrative capability.

• The ideal candidate will be a leader who has demonstrated experience in setting, planning, implementing, and analyzing program objectives and priorities and should have the demonstrated ability to manage financial and human resources and coordinate a research portfolio involving extensive internal and external collaboration.

The DEA Associate Director provides leadership and counsel to the NINDS Director and to relevant trans-NIH IC Director Committees on implementing policies and coordinating operations for all related extramural research grants, contracts, and training programs that emerge from these high-profile, complex initiatives and activities. The incumbent also must provide leadership and guidance on NIH extramural policies through the lens of the multiple ICs involved in these various trans-NIH initiatives, which requires deep knowledge of extramural policy and a sophisticated understanding of how its application could affect different IC research communities. Since the position involves extensive contributions to scientific priority setting, the incumbent must have substantial senior management experience and a broad understanding of the field of neuroscience research or a related discipline. The DEA Associate Director supervises approximately ninety-three (93) professional staff at grades ranging from GS-7 to GS-15, three (3) Title 42 (SPL-2) employees and thirty-three (33) doctoral level scientists. View the DEA organizational chart(pdf, 100 KB) and find out more information about NINDS. The incumbent will report directly to the NINDS Director.

How to Apply

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Interested candidates must submit the following electronically to: Joanne Pomponio jpomponio@nih.gov 

• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Bibliography
• Copy of degree
• Full contact details for three (3) references

• Two prepared statements: a vision statement and a statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements and describes efforts that address recruiting, mentoring, training, and/or outreach activities especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other underrepresented groups (please limit both statements to two (2) pages each).

Do not include your birth date or social security number (SSN) on application materials. 

Additional Application Information

Review of applications will begin on Monday, March 18, 2024, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. You may contact Joanne Pomponio with questions and for more information about this vacancy at jpomponio@nih.gov or (301) 496-0287.

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats. 

Please read the following guidance on Selective Service requirements.

If selected, you will be subject to a two-year trial period under this appointment.

Who May Apply: 

Applications will be accepted from U.S. citizens and non-citizens as allowed by appropriations and statute.

Related Information

Organization Charts

DEA Org Chart(pdf, 100 KB) 

DON Org Chart(pdf, 90 KB) 

Salary and Benefits

The Associate Director, Division of Extramural Activities will be appointed under a Title 42 (f) excepted service appointment at a salary commensurate with his/her qualifications and experience. A recruitment or relocation bonus may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid. Full Federal benefits, including leave, health and life insurance, long term care insurance, retirement, and savings plan (401K equivalent) will be provided.

Equal Opportunity Employment

DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. 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 and 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 Program webpage. 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 U.S. 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.