Job Description
The subject position serves as the Scientific Director (SD), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI conducts and supports cancer research, research training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients. The SD oversees the scientific and administrative management of the basic and clinical components of the intramural cancer research program and reports directly to the NCI Director, a presidentially appointed position. The SD oversees a budget of over $500 million and a research enterprise consisting of over 220 principal investigators and nearly 800 postdoctoral and clinical fellows, working both individually and in integrated multidisciplinary teams. CCR is a distinctive and productive community of elite scientists and clinicians who work together to solve some of the most complex scientific problems related to cancer and related diseases. This position is roughly equivalent to an academic dean.
The SD is responsible for managing the complex organization of the center and formulating, with the NCI Director, the NCI’s major research directions and scientific policies for cancer research, and related medical science. The SD provides leadership for the advancement, prominence, and expansion of national and international cancer research and its translation to public benefit to include:
• continuously cultivating a cutting edge set of research priorities, facilities, and programs that expand the knowledge of cancer – from states of risk and premalignant initiation through metastasis and the effect on normal tissues;
• investigating how to effectively capture, share, and use host and tumor-derived data in the practice of precision medicine treatments for cancer;
• designing and testing new diagnostic and multimodality therapies that extend beyond what can be readily studied in either academic medical centers or industry settings;
• innovating in rapid translation of discovery science to clinical testing;
• developing new approaches in treatments not limited to: chemotherapy, targeted and biological therapy, procedural approaches, radiation, immunotherapy, cellular therapies, gene therapy, transplantation, and vaccines, and facilitating innovative multimodal approaches for clinical testing;
• initiating, developing, and maintaining primary and complementary efforts, liaisons, and collaborations within the overall Federal, academic, and private research arena that span work of the center;
• ensuring the education and training of a world-class workforce of scientifically curious and rigorous investigators in the basic science and clinical arenas;
• demonstrating impeccable ethical standards for themselves and the entire center, with emphasis on scientific and professional integrity and rigor.
The SD directly advises the NCI Director on NCI policies as well as national and international issues related to cancer research. Through presentations and personal interaction, the SD works directly with the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors, NCI Board of Scientific Advisors, the National Cancer Advisory Board, and the President’s Cancer Panel to ensure that the intramural program is fulfilling the criteria of being the nations cancer center. The SD participates with Board and Panel members in activities to develop information, plans of action and recommendations on national and international biomedical research issues.
The SD may also supervise their own research laboratory supported by resources commensurate with the size and scope of their program.
About NCI’s CCR Research: CCR (https://ccr.cancer.gov/) is the basic and clinical intramural cancer research program for the NCI. CCR's basic research program: (1) supports a comprehensive spectrum of investigator-initiated research and collaborative team science; (2) seeks to change the practice of oncology through new discoveries and practices that generate new knowledge relevant to basic biology and causes of human cancers; (3) promotes a “culture of the corridors” environment given the close proximity of basic and clinical researchers; (4) promotes efficient translation of new discoveries from the lab to the clinic via the NCI Centers of Excellence, the Drug Development Collaborative and other groups; and (5) creates new technologies and resources to be shared with the scientific community. CCR's clinical-translational research program: (1) focuses on innovative scientifically-guided patient care; (2) applies advanced biomedical technologies in a clinical laboratory setting; (3) provides the infrastructure that enables bench-to-bedside-to-bench efforts; (4) is committed to studying rare cancers, hard to treat malignancies, and treating underserved patient populations; (5) invests in new transformational technologies in transplantation, cell therapy, surgery, genomics and imaging; and (6) is supported by the expertise and resources of the NIH Clinical Center.
Location: Bethesda, MD
Salary/Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate. A full package of Federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, annual and sick leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). A recruitment and/or relocation incentive may be available and relocation expenses will be paid. At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer workplace flexibilities, including situational telework.
Please read the following guidance on Selective Service requirements.
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 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 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 the United States must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited institutions in the United States. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on foreign education verification, visit the https://www.naces.org website. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.
Reasonable Accommodation: NIH provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the individual listed below. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Questions related to this announcement may be directed to Lori Holliday at hollidal@mail.nih.gov.
DHHS, NIH, and NCI are Equal Opportunity Employers
The NIH and NCI and dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs and encourages the application and nomination of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
Qualifications and Job Details
Required and Preferred Skills
Applicants must possess a M.D., M.D./Ph.D., Ph.D., (or equivalent) with experience equivalent to an NIH tenured senior investigator or senior clinician and have demonstrated leadership and success in a research program of national and international standing in oncology-related research. The successful candidate will have a compelling vision for the future of basic and clinical research, proven experience and success in managing and directing a research program, as well as well-honed administrative and interpersonal skills. The NCI seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to maintain the CCR’s research efforts at the forefront of science. We expect a strong and clearly demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the candidate’s research, mentoring and community service. The successful candidate will be well-known and respected within their profession, both nationally and internationally, based on their academic and research achievements. Candidates should have demonstrated ability to manage financial and human resources and lead a research program involving extensive internal and external collaborations and must be able to build, mentor, motivate and maintain a culturally diverse staff.
About the NCI Center for Cancer Research
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) is home to nearly 250 basic and clinical research groups located on two campuses just outside of Washington, D.C. CCR is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and makes up the largest component of the research effort at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Centrally supported by long-term funding and a culture of complete intellectual freedom, CCR scientists are able to pursue the most important and challenging problems in cancer research. We collaborate with academic and commercial partners and advocacy groups across the world in efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and HIV/AIDS. The CCR research portfolio covers the full spectrum of biological and biomedical research. Our work ranges from basic to translational and clinical, and our clinical trials are conducted in the NIH Clinical Center, the world’s largest hospital dedicated to clinical research that offers a robust infrastructure to support CCR’s patients on an estimated 250 open studies. The success of CCR is grounded in an exceptionally strong discovery research program that provides the foundation for the seamless translation of insights from bench to bedside. Read more about CCR, the benefits of working at CCR and hear from our staff on their CCR experiences.
Bethesda
Bethesda is one of the most highly educated communities in the United States and has a nationally renowned school system. The city is a thriving suburban center close to Washington, D.C., and home to many restaurants, retailers and a flourishing arts and entertainment district.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, bibliography, a detailed statement describing your fundamental vision (maximum two pages), a qualifications statement, and a diversity statement which includes a description of mentoring and outreach activities in which you have been involved, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research to https://service.cancer.gov/ccr-careers.
Applications will be accepted and considered until the position is filled. The first review of applications will begin ~ late November 2024. All information provided by applicants will remain confidential and will be reviewed only by authorized officials associated with the recruitment.
PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTHDATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON ANY OF YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS.