Staff Scientist 1

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

National Institute on Aging

Intramural Research Program

Staff Scientist 1

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), Intramural Research Program (IRP), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is recruiting for a Staff Scientist 1 in the Neurocognitive Aging Section (NAS) of the Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN) in Baltimore, MD. The NAS aims to understand the basis of cognitive aging across multiple levels of analysis, from the regulation of neuronal gene expression critical for memory-related synaptic plasticity, to the organization of large-scale neural network interactions linked to cognitive function.

The Staff Scientist will play a major role in collaboration with the Section Chief in project management, manuscript preparation, experimental design, training postdoctoral fellows, junior trainees and other staff, and liaising with other divisions of the LBN and NAS collaborators. The Staff Scientist will assume a lead role in designing and conducting research in three broad areas: 1) Translational neural systems research on the contributions of the cerebellum to neurocognitive aging, spanning rodent models, nonhuman primates, and humans; 2) Integrative neuroscience neuroimaging acquisition and analysis, including fMRI, in small animal, nonhuman primate and human studies on cognitive resilience in aging; and 3) Exploratory and validation studies in support of the Successful Trajectories of Aging; Reserve and Resilience in Rats Study (STARRRS) longitudinal research program on neurocognitive aging in rats.  

The successful individual must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Physiology, or related fields, with productive postdoctoral experience as evidenced by a record of primary and collaborative authorship in peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognized journals. The individual should have experience with molecular and cell biological neuroscience methods, immunocytochemical localization, stereological quantification of neuronal morphology, light field and laser microscopy in brain histological preparations, and small animal and primate high field MRI acquisition and post-acquisition analysis, including fMRI, and animal cognitive testing. Strong quantitative and statistical modeling skills are essential.

Staff Scientists do not receive independent resources, although they often work independently and have sophisticated skills and knowledge essential to the work of the Laboratory. Although this Staff Scientist will be supervised by the Section Chief of the NAS, they will be interacting with the scientists from the IRP and scientific community at large.  

Salary is commensurate with research experience and accomplishments. A full Civil Service package of benefits (including retirement, health and life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan participation, etc.) is available. All employees of the Federal Government are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct. Additional information regarding the NIA IRP is available at the following website: www.irp.nia.nih.gov.

To apply: Please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, bibliography, statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation to: Sarah Lewis, Supervisory Management Analyst, Office of the Scientific Director, National Institute on Aging, Vacancy #NIA-IRP-23-03-SL via email at niairpjobs@mail.nih.gov. Applications, including letters of recommendation, must reference the Vacancy #NIA-IRP-23-03-SL. The first round of reviews is expected to occur on or about July 24, 2023, however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs and encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.