Associate Director, Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Research Program (APCRP)

THE POSITION: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), 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 Cardiovascular Sciences (DCVS), overseeing the Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Research Program (APCRP). This role offers an exciting opportunity to support and provide leadership for research on heart development and function from birth through adulthood, and across the scientific spectrum from basic science to clinical trials. Specific focus areas include coronary artery disease and atherothrombosis, cardiac development, congenital heart disease, acquired pediatric heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, myocardial protection from ischemia, cardiotoxicity, and resuscitation science. The Associate Director oversees an extramural research budget of approximately $803 million and serves as supervisor to 3 branch chiefs with oversight responsibility to over 30 staff that include senior MDs, PhDs, and clinical trials specialists. This position is one of 3 Associate Directors who are part of the DCVS executive leadership team, reporting to the DCVS Division Director and responsible for the overall strategic vision for the Division with potential broad national and international impact on cardiovascular science.

This Associate Director provides leadership for basic, pre-clinical and early translational studies, and clinical trials.  Examples of basic science include research on normal and abnormal cardiac development, valvular pathology, myocardial performance and energetics, cardioprotection, gut microbiota and cardiometabolic diseases, hematopoiesis in cardiovascular disease, lipid metabolism, cardiac allograft tolerance, the cardiac conduction system, calcium regulation and other mechanisms in heart failure, and mechanisms of coronary artery pathology.  Early translational research includes work on ventricular assist devices across the age span, identification of candidate atrial fibrillation drugs, novel heart failure therapies, biomarker and imaging diagnostics to quantify atherosclerotic disease progression, and point-of-care technology for cardiovascular diseases. The Associate Director oversees the conduct of a number of clinical trials in congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, heart failure, peripartum cardiomyopathy, cardio-oncology, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and resuscitation, and coronary artery disease.

In addition to managing ongoing research programs, the Associate Director is responsible for development and oversight of the research initiative concepts and direction of the program. In concert with the Branch Chiefs in the Program, the Associate Director oversees portfolio analyses, identifies gap areas and opportunities, and helps craft programs and strategies to address gap areas and take advantage of scientific opportunities. 

As an expert in cardiovascular research, the Associate Director provides guidance and advice on major research matters to the Division Director and Institute Director; develops partnerships with other NIH Institutes, Federal agencies, and other organizations involved in cardiovascular diseases research; and represents NHLBI in the national and international cardiovascular diseases research community on committees, at national and international scientific conferences, symposia, and other meetings. 

The Associate Director is in regular contact with extramural investigators to discuss scientific proposals, to provide guidance about funding opportunities, and to provide information about DCVS’s clinical trial priorities.  The Associate Director also interacts regularly with senior staff throughout NHLBI and with other NIH Institutes on both administrative and scientific matters, and is recognized both at NIH and in the extramural community as a scientific leader. 

Information about the Program is available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/cardiovascular-sciences/adult-and-pediatric-cardiac-research

LOCATION:  Bethesda, Maryland

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION: Applicants must possess a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; specialized multidisciplinary cardiovascular diseases research expertise; demonstrated skill in managing a broad and complex biomedical research program; and the ability to provide leadership for a staff with expertise in diverse scientific disciplines. Experience with procedures and policies related to grants management, cooperative agreements, R&D contracts, and complex program budgets is highly desired.

This is a Title 42 position open for US Citizens and Permanent Resident non-citizens.

SALARY/BENEFITS: The Associate Director, APCRP will be appointed 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. The successful candidate is subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment.

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. The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/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 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: 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.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Current Curriculum VitaeCopy of advanced degreeBibliographyFull contact details for three referencesVision statement (not to exceed two pages) Statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements (not to exceed two pages) Statement indicating how you have promoted equity, diversity and inclusion, and describing your mentoring and outreach activities, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research (not to exceed two pages)

Applications must be sent to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted beginning on January 22, 2024. The closing date is February 21, 2024.

You may contact Ariel Herman with questions and for more information about this vacancy at [email protected].

DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTH DATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) ON APPLICATION MATERIALS

                          DHHS AND NIH ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS