Staff Scientist (Biologist), Early Translation Branch, Division of Preclinical Innovation
Description
NCATS, a major research component of NIH, seeks applications from exceptional candidates to fill a Staff Scientist (Biologist) position in the Early Translation Branch (ETB) within its Division of Preclinical Innovation (DPI) in Rockville, Maryland. The selected applicant will contribute to the discovery and development of small molecules targeting disease-relevant biomolecules. The staff scientist will manage preclinical projects in collaboration with NIH and academic scientists, industry and nonprofit organizations.
The scientists within DPI come from a broad range of scientific disciplines — including assay biology, therapeutic discovery, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmacology and preclinical development — to reduce, remove or bypass significant bottlenecks across the entire continuum of translation and to train the future translational science workforce. This position will require a strong understanding of assay biology, preclinical small molecule discovery, and related disciplines to advance projects from lead identification to advanced drug-like molecules that enable proof of concept in advanced disease models or serve as candidates for drug development. The biologist will work within project teams to define project goals and go/no-go criteria to drive projects toward key decision criteria.
Core Responsibilities
The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to NCATS’ strategic vision, design and implement experimental procedures, interpret results, disseminate findings and best practices, and mentor trainees. The selected candidate will lead projects at various stages, from developing assays and performing high-throughput screening for hit identification to establishing triage strategies to generate leads and conducting target deconvolution/mechanism of action studies. The candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing and executing biological assays using biochemical or cell-based approaches and a variety of assay technologies. The candidate also will be responsible for developing new technologies to accelerate drug discovery, presenting results in internal and external meetings, and writing reports and manuscripts. The candidate will work in a highly collaborative research environment and will need to interact effectively with the NCATS project team and external collaborators. The selected candidate also will be expected to analyze molecular commonalities across a broad range of diseases that could be exploited for therapeutic development.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent) in the life sciences (cell biology, molecular biology, chemical biology or a related field is preferred) and be a recognized expert and accomplished leader in their field. Candidates should possess a broad range of biology experience, including at least some of the following: cell biology, molecular biology, chemical biology, bioassay design, high-throughput screening, CRISPR and mass spectrometry.
Salary/Benefits
The annual salary range is $121,785–$197,200, commensurate with experience and accomplishments. This is a time-limited staff scientist 1 appointment under Title 42 U.S.C. 209(g), RG-401, with compensation based on the Title 42 Pay Model Ranges. A full civil service benefits package is available, including retirement; health, life, and long-term care insurance; and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (a 401(k) equivalent).
How to Apply
Please submit a complete application to ncatsssrecruit@mail.nih.gov with the following documents:
- A cover letter describing your interest in the position, including a career synopsis (one to three pages)
- A current curriculum vitae formatted according to Office of Human Resources (OHR) requirements, with all dates in MM/DD/YYYY format, and a complete bibliography
- The names of and contact information for three references
- A copy of your doctoral degree or college transcripts
- An employment verification letter from your current employer
The posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Additional Information
All information provided by candidates will remain confidential and will not be released outside NCATS’ search process without a signed release from candidates. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.
Employment is subject to the successful completion of the preappointment process (e.g., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents).