The Division of Aging Biology (DAB) is recruiting for positions. DAB is one of four scientific Divisions at the NIA. It supports research in basic, applied, and translational research through grants and a robust program to provide biological resources for extramural investigators. The objective of DAB-funded research is to elucidate the basic biochemical, genetic, and physiological mechanisms underlying the process of aging and age-related changes in humans and in animal models of human aging. This includes investigations of alterations of structure and function that characterize aging and investigations of how these adverse changes become risk factors for, or accompany, age-related conditions and disease states. The Division provides resources needed to support aging research comprising aged rodent and NHP colonies, rodent and NHP cell and tissue banks as well as the Primate Aging database.
A formal application through the next National Institutes of Health (NIH) global announcement will be necessary (to be posted in USAJobs in May). For additional information about these positions, please contact Ms. Karleigh Price with a resume and letter of interest and to learn details about the application process for a position at NIA/NIH. Contacts in DAB are listed below.
Chief, Aging Physiology Branch, Division of Aging Biology, National Institute on Aging
The Division of Aging Biology (DAB) is recruiting for Chief of the Aging Physiology Branch (APB). DAB is one of four scientific Divisions in the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.
The DAB supports research to elucidate the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the processes of aging and age-related changes in humans and animal models. The Aging Physiology Branch has diverse portfolios on the aging of organ and immune systems. The incoming Branch Chief is expected to evaluate the current portfolio structure and propose additional approaches for study of integrated and comparative physiology of aging.
Information on the Division and the Aging Physiology Branch can be found at https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dab, and for additional information regarding this position please contact Dr. Stacy Carrington-Lawrence, Deputy Director, DAB (Stacy.Carrington-Lawrence@nih.gov).
Major Duties
- Supervising and providing scientific leadership in the Aging Physiology Branch
- Developing and managing her/his own portfolio of grants.
- Foster collaborations in aging physiology and biology of aging research.
- Evaluating state-of-the-science in biology of aging and aging physiology to track and report advances and identify opportunities to advance research in support of the NIA mission.
- Attendance and presentation (as appropriate) at selected scientific meetings on aging and related topics.
- Participation in – and organization of – workshops, symposia and sessions to communicate advances and opportunities for research in aging physiology, for relevant scientific groups as well as the lay public.
Candidate Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess,
- M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
- Knowledge of biological research, with a preference for expertise and research in the biology of aging, demonstrating:
- A broad view of human and animal physiology.
- A breadth of research expertise in basic biological research.
- An established history of grant support and publication in biological or related research.
- Experience with scientific presentations at seminars, workshops and scientific meetings.
- Experience with strategic planning to achieve and sustain long-range programmatic goals and to support effective research environments.
Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience; excellent benefits and telework options are offered. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to ethnicity, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. The position is posted at the GS-15 supervisory federal government salary grade, with an annual salary range of $148,484 to $176,300 (adjusted for DC, MD, VA, WV and PA locality pay).
To Apply
Applications must be made through USAJOBS in response to the NIH Global Announcement. Applicants should respond under the NIH GS-15 Supervisory Health Science Administrator announcement, and applications must be submitted through that website to be considered. Please note that there are two announcements: one for applicants who are currently federal employees and one for those who are NOT currently federal employees. All inquiries will remain confidential.
Program Officer for Molecular Epidemiology in the Division of Aging Biology, the National Institute on Aging
We are looking to fill a Program Officer position in the Division of Aging Biology (DAB) for a new portfolio on Molecular Epidemiology. As applied to the biology of aging, the molecular epidemiology program officer will be responsible for managing a research portfolio that contributes to better understanding of aging as a risk factor for functional declines that permit or contribute to disease – or facilitate avoidance or tolerance of disease. This research will emphasize geroscience concepts in the involvement of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors recognized at the molecular level and related to etiology of disease and dysfunction in the health of aging populations and individuals.
Major challenges for this field include the dichotomy between adaptive and pathological aspects of aging, and the development of methods to identify outliers in populations for characteristics of faster or slower rates of aging. In addition, a fundamental question for molecular epidemiology applied to aging is how to quantify aging as the primary risk factor for deterioration of biological function among which are increased risks of infectious or chronic disease. Given emerging opportunities to utilize the tools of molecular epidemiology such as open-source data, and the availability of large data sets from human studies to inform and guide the study of aging biology, the development of this portfolio within the DAB is needed and timely.
Major emphasis of this new portfolio will be on
- broadening the understanding of relationships between environmental exposures and rates of aging
- developing better biomarkers for rates of aging
- establishing connections and integration between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies
- Providing expertise on the NIA Clinical Research Operations & Management System
The Program Officer for the Molecular Epidemiology Portfolio also will work closely with the Deputy Division Director in developing programs on the biology of health disparities. The position requires collaborations within DAB across portfolios and within NIA across Divisions.
The appropriate individual for this position will be a scientist with a research background in basic biology and/or molecular epidemiology with a Ph.D. or M.D. degree (or equivalent). This is a Federal GS-13 or GS-14 position located in Montgomery County MD. The level will be based upon individual qualifications and professional experience. Salary is commensurate with the candidate’s experience and a full package of Civil Series benefits is available, including recruitment, health and life insurance, leave, and savings (401K equivalent). The position is in the Cell Biology & Branch of the Division of Aging Biology.
Information on the Division and the Aging Physiology Branch can be found at https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dab.
To Apply
Applications must be made through USAJOBS in response to the NIH Global Announcement. Applicants should respond under the NIH Supervisory Health Science Administrator announcement, and applications must be submitted through that website to be considered. Please note that there are two announcements: one for applicants who are currently federal employees and one for those who are NOT currently federal employees. All inquiries will remain confidential.
Program Officer for Training and Research Workforce Development in the Division of Aging Biology, the National Institute on Aging
We are looking to fill a Program Officer position in the Division of Aging Biology (DAB) for a portfolio on Training and Workforce Development. We intend to fill this position with an individual who is both an outstanding scientist and who has a clear, demonstrable passion for training the next generation of investigators in biological sciences. DAB is committed to improving scientific training and rigor in the research community and preparing future generations of scientists to become outstanding investigators. The portfolio will include institutional and individual training programs, mentored research grants, the Nathan Shock Centers program, and scientific meetings as vehicles for career advancement. This includes increasing diversity in the workforce and the development of resource building grants to support education and research in the biology of aging. Importantly, DAB is expanding its support of research to understand health inequities, and the incumbent in this position would participate in that effort.
The appropriate individual for this position will be a scientist with a research background in basic biology or a related area with an interest and experience in supporting and developing training, mentorship and/or centers programs. Responsibilities will span the entire scientific mission of the DAB, and will include devising programs, overseeing training and scientific meeting grant portfolios, interacting with the scientific community at meetings and workshops and participating in the NIA and NIH outreach and workforce development activities.
The appropriate individual for this position will be a scientist with a research background in basic biology with a Ph.D. or M.D. degree (or equivalent). This is a Federal GS-13 or GS-14 position located in Montgomery County MD. The level will be based upon individual qualifications and professional experience. Salary is commensurate with the candidate’s experience and a full package of Civil Series benefits is available, including recruitment, health and life insurance, leave, and savings (401K equivalent). The position is in the Office of the Division Director, DAB, and will report to the Division Deputy Director
To Apply
Applications must be made through USAJOBS in response to the NIH Global Announcement. Applicants should respond under the GS-12/13/14 Health Scientist Administrator and/or GS-15 Non-supervisory Health Scientist Administrator advertisements. Applications must be submitted through that website to be considered. Please note that there are two categories of announcements: one for applicants who are currently federal employees and one for those who are NOT currently federal employees. All inquiries will remain confidential.
Health Scientist Administrator for Integrated Cell Biology in the Division of Aging Biology, the National Institute on Aging
We are looking to fill a Health Scientist Administrator position in the Division of Aging Biology (DAB). This individual will develop and administer research programs in DAB’s Genetics and Cell Biology Branch. The Genetics and Cell Biology Branch focuses on the basic molecular mechanisms believed to underlie age-related dysfunction, with a focus on molecular studies, performed primarily in cell culture and model organisms. Research supported by this branch includes genetic, cell biology, and studies on metabolic changes that affect the length and/or quality of life.
The major duties as a Health Scientist Administrator of the “Integrative Cell Biology (ICB)” Program will be:
- Formulate, develop, and implement the scientific goals and activities of the Program
- Formulate and recommend program goals and objectives for developing the resources needed to support the nation's potential to support research on aging
- Serve as a Program Officer with scientific and administrative responsibility for the program to award and monitor grants and other funding mechanisms to support research goals of the aging research community
- Attend study section review meetings for research applications assigned to the portfolio under purview
The scientific areas under the Integrative Cell Biology Program are in the context of aging processes and lifespan, and include:
- Programmed cell death (DAMPs and other features regulating and/or subsequent to cell death)
- Extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton and their interactions with other cellular structures and functions
- Paracrine signaling and the microenvironment
- Protein and lipid phase transitions in aging biology
The successful candidate will possess a doctoral degree in biological, biophysical, or medical science, and have experience in conducting biomedical research and/or program management in the biomedical field.
How to Apply
Applications must be made through USAJOBS in response to the NIH Global Announcement. Applicants should respond under the NIH Supervisory Health Scientist Administrator announcement, and applications must be submitted through that website to be considered. Please note that there are two announcements: one for applicants who are currently federal employees and one for those who are NOT currently federal employees. All inquiries will remain confidential.