Job Description
The Psychosocial Support and Research Program in the Behavioral Health Core of the Pediatric Oncology Branch, (POB), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites applicants for a full-time staff scientist position, preferably mid-career. This position utilizes a scientist-practitioner model, bridging clinical practice with a robust psychosocial research program.
The Psychosocial Support and Research Program is dedicated to providing behavioral health care to children, teens, and young adults with cancer and other chronic medical conditions who are enrolled on natural history studies, clinical treatment trials, and psychosocial interventions at the NIH Clinical Center. We work collaboratively with physicians, psychologists, social workers, recreation therapists, palliative care specialists and allied professionals to provide comprehensive care in the form of quality clinical services to children and their family members enrolled on CCR clinical trials to help enhance coping and adaptation.
In addition to clinical care, the candidate will engage in ongoing quantitative and qualitative research being carried out within the intramural program to support novel medical protocols as well as conduct multi-institutional psychosocial studies through conducting clinical interviews, administering assessments, analysis and interpretation of data, and the preparation of scientific publications and presentations. Examples of such clinical research includes characterizing the effects of rare diseases and treatment on psychosocial functioning and quality of life using comprehensive state-of-the-art longitudinal assessments and the development of psychosocial standards of care. In addition, specific topics of ongoing psychosocial research includes the development of new measures, the understanding of unique socio-cultural and environmental factors in pediatric oncology, and the development of new educational and therapeutic resources that can enhance pediatric supportive care worldwide.
The ideal candidate will design, conduct, and lead their own independent innovative behavioral science research in psychosocial areas of interest to the candidate. The candidate will be expected to represent the Psychosocial Support and Research Program at national and international meetings. The staff scientist in this position will be expected to have a leadership role in the program.
As a staff scientist, this position also will have the opportunity to provide clinical supervision, train and supervise junior investigators on research methodologies and clinical care as well as pediatric oncology fellows on best practices for psychosocial care.
This position is subject to a background investigation. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.
Qualifications and Job Details
Required and Preferred Skills
Competitive salary and benefits are offered. Applicants must possess a doctoral degree from an accredited university in social or behavioral sciences (e.g., clinical psychology, social work), be licensed, and have completed a post-doctoral fellowship. Exceptional written and verbal skills and an ability to work cohesively in a multidisciplinary team environment are essential. Demonstrated expertise in clinical care with children and adolescent with cancer and/or other chronic medical conditions as well as behavioral science research are required. We welcome applicants with interests in protocol design, program development, quality improvement, and training graduate and postdoctoral fellows.
Strong publication record and expertise in data analysis and program development are strongly preferred.
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.
Reference letters will be requested upon invitation for an interview. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Virtual interviews will begin in January.