Vacancy Announcement: NIAAA Scientific Diversity Officer
Scientific Diversity Officer
(Multiple Positions within multiple NIH Institutes/Centers)
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
THE POSITION: The National Institutes of Health (NIH), is seeking applications from exceptional candidates with expertise in the science and business of building organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), as well as experience in clinical research and or working within a multi-disciplinary scientific workforce, to fill Scientific Diversity Officer vacancies within multiple NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). As our nation’s preeminent research organization, NIH leads the global effort to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. The NIH also seeks to promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science. These positions within NIH represent unique opportunities, based on professional knowledge and experience, for qualified applicants to:
- support NIH’s efforts to promote health disparities-focused research;
- advance the design and development of equitable and accessible training programs that produce tangible and overlapping benefits improving the quality and inclusivity of the educational environment for scientists and research staff;
- spearhead the development and dissemination of technical and administrative guides, standards, and criteria that can support, foster, and enhance diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility in research and the biomedical research workforce;
- provide guidance, resources, best practices, and strategic planning to improve the diversity of the internal IC workforce, ensure accessible resources and practices, and create equity of opportunity within the IC, leading to a more inclusive and diverse culture within the IC; and
- shape NIH’s efforts to more effectively catalyze DEIA initiatives in the form of research planning activities and budgetary policies that can support sustainable development in health disparities and health equity across a spectrum of biomedical, clinical, and/or social behavioral science research programs.
The incumbent will use their training and experience regarding current developments in the DEIA field, to initiate pioneering programs, applying a visionary, forward-thinking mindset, and resolve critical issues that enhance the diversity and equity of research programs, including organizing and leading discussions with basic, preclinical and/or clinical researchers across the NIH, as well as through interactions with current and prospective awardees, and to identify new initiatives and objectives regarding research opportunities and problem areas, gaps in scientific diversity and areas of inequity as part of research funding, research processes and structures to improve inclusivity and accessibility of research endeavors and outcomes, and other relevant program needs. The Scientific Diversity Officer will advise the highest levels of NIH or IC management on major areas of importance in overall DEIA policy and program direction, ensuring DEIA objectives are established and met for scientific research programs of national and international scope. The incumbent will personally deliver overall leadership and expert guidance in the formulation, planning, execution, and evaluation of broad NIH-wide or trans-IC DEIA objectives, policies, and especially activities for an IC’s portfolio of nationally recognized research projects. This will include continually assessing and providing recommendations on goals and objectives that ensure diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility are considered in the development, coordination, funding, and administration of grant awards, cooperative agreements, and contracts. The Scientific Diversity Officer will contribute to strategic planning and related activities to examine the equity and inclusivity of current workforce practices; set objectives, benchmarks, and goals that align with DEIA gold standards; and cooperatively develop, execute, evaluate, and iterate on workplace practices and processes that promote the evolution of IC culture to meet DEIA objectives and goals. The incumbent will also monitor, and research, public policy, legislation, Congressional initiatives, and laws related to diversity and inclusion programs and DEIA workforce issues as associated with IC and NIH programs and staff and in the biomedical, clinical, and/or social and behavioral science education and research communities to provide advice on the latest laws, policies, practices, and initiatives to foster and enhance diversity and inclusion throughout the IC and NIH.
THE AGENCY: NIH’s mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. NIH’s 27 Institutes/Centers perform and support, through funding opportunities, biomedical research to catalyze innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing, and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions. The goals of the agency are:
- to foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis for ultimately protecting and improving health;
- to develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and physical resources that will ensure the Nation's capability to prevent disease;
- to expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences to enhance the Nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and
- to exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science.
LOCATION: Bethesda, Maryland.
QUALIFICATIONS SOUGHT:
- Degree: Combination of education in a field of health or pertinent sciences (i.e., biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, etc.) allied to health or health-related research (i.e., sociology, psychology, public health, etc.) and business or organizational development culminating in a at least a Master’s degree, if not a Ph.D. or M.D.
- Other: Interested individuals should have demonstrated success formulating, planning, executing, and evaluating DEIA initiatives while managing and leading staff within a scientific workforce, industry, and or academia, particularly within complex and multi-disciplinary organizations. Candidates should also possess knowledge of hiring and human resource (HR) practices, including conflict resolution. The ideal candidate would have previous knowledge or background working in in clinical research and or working with a scientific workforce. Applicants with federal government experience and or experience and knowledge of the federal grant process are also highly preferred.
SALARY/BENEFITS/OTHER INFORMATION: Salary – (Range: $148,484 - $176,300) - will be commensurate with the applicant’s 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.
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. NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: NIH 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 as described on the NIH Ethics Program 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: Candidates who have completed part or all 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 Qualifications Based on Foreign Education. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: NIH provides reasonable accommodations to individuals 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.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES: Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position, a curriculum vitae, and a complete bibliography to corporaterecruitment@od.nih.gov. Questions regarding the position can also be directed to corporaterecruitment@od.nih.gov.
Required documentation will only be accepted electronically and must be received prior to January 31, 2023.
All information provided by candidates will remain confidential and will not be released outside of the NIAAA search process without a signed release from the respective candidate.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism are equal opportunity employers.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)