Credit: NIGMS.

I'm pleased to share three changes to our leadership team at NIGMS.

Erica Brown will serve as acting deputy director of NIGMS following Dorit Zuk’s retirement. As our acting deputy director, Erica will oversee and provide leadership on all NIGMS matters.

Erica has served in several leadership roles at NIH. Most recently, she was the director of the Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) and the executive secretary of the National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council.

Dr. Kenneth Gibbs. Credit: NIGMS.

I’m pleased to announce that Kenneth Gibbs has been selected as the new director of our Division of Training and Workforce Development (TWD). Kenny is an immunologist by training and is currently chief of the Cross-Disciplinary Pathways Program Branch in TWD. He also oversees the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) program, research grants on the “science of science” in the biomedical research enterprise, and scientific conference grants. He has also managed research grants in the areas of stem cell biology for the NIGMS Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.

Dr. Mercedes Rubio. Credit: NIGMS.

I’m pleased to announce that Mercedes Rubio has been selected as the new director of our Division for Research Capacity Building. Mercedes is a medical sociologist by training and is currently chief of the Predoctoral Basic Biomedical and Medical Scientist Training Programs Branch in our Division of Training and Workforce Development. She also manages research training, scientific conference, and research on intervention grants and has been the program director for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Diversity Program Consortium’s National Research Mentoring Network.

UPDATE: This position is now closed.

We’re recruiting an accomplished scientist for a program director position in our Division of Training and Workforce Development (TWD). The successful applicant will be responsible for scientific and administrative management of a portfolio of research training and workforce development grants and will stimulate, plan, advise, direct, and evaluate program activities. The selectee will handle postdoctoral, early career, and workforce development programs.

UPDATE: This position is now closed.

We’re recruiting an outstanding individual to serve as the NIGMS Tribal health research strategy coordinator. The incumbent will report to the deputy director and assume a broad sphere of responsibilities that include, among others:

• Serving as the expert on matters related to Tribal health research within the NIGMS mission, and as a resource for the Institute director, deputy director, our associate director for extramural activities, and other senior leadership within NIGMS
• Serving as a senior-level NIGMS representative in collaborations and initiatives with the NIH Tribal Health Research Office, the Indian Health Service, Tribal nations, and federal and academic partners across the country
• Formulating, planning, directing, and evaluating broad NIGMS-wide program objectives, policies, and activities for Tribal health research projects, programs, and other grants/awards including the discovery, development, and evaluation of scientific areas critical for eventual prevention and therapeutic strategies
• Advising leadership on strategies to address ongoing matters with Tribal communities

UPDATE: This position is now closed.

We’re seeking a highly qualified scientist to serve as Branch Chief for our Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences (BBCB). Applicants should have interest and experience in the scientific areas managed by the Biomedical Technology Branch. Position responsibilities include scientific and administrative planning, management, and evaluation; optimization of Branch procedures; and oversight of Branch program directors’ grant portfolio activities. The Branch Chief will also manage a research grant portfolio and work collaboratively with the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology and Biophysics Branch Chiefs and the BBCB Division Director.

UPDATE: This position is now closed.

We’re recruiting an accomplished scientist for a program director position in our Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB). Job responsibilities include managing a portfolio of grants that support research and that provide resources for research capacity building in the basic, translational, and clinical biomedical sciences. The chosen candidate will oversee Institutional Development Award (IDeA) and/or Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) programs and may contribute to other programmatic activities as opportunities and needs emerge.

With the impending retirement of Alison Gammie, a search is open for an outstanding candidate to serve as director of our Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD).

TWD supports programs that foster the development of a strong and diverse biomedical research workforce. The Division funds research training, student development, and career development activities through a variety of programs ranging from the undergraduate level to the doctorate and beyond. TWD-funded initiatives include, among others, the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) and the Advancing Research Careers (ARC) programs.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to set scientific priorities, lead change, and enhance the biomedical research enterprise. The TWD director is a key member of the NIGMS senior leadership team and supervises a staff of approximately 12 program officers. There are also opportunities to participate in and advise on HHS- and NIH-wide activities and collaborations with other federal agencies.

Candidates must have earned a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in a field related to the Division portfolio. The ideal candidate will have considerable research experience and/or research administration experience. In addition, candidates should have professional experience with programs aimed to train research scientists and to develop a diverse biomedical and behavioral research workforce, as well as knowledge related to the NIGMS mission.

For additional information and application instructions, please visit the vacancy announcement. NIGMS will accept applications for at least 45 days, beginning on June 18, and the application period will remain open until filled.

As chair of the search committee, I appreciate your help in identifying outstanding candidates for this critical position and in sharing this information with others who might be interested.

UPDATE: This position is now closed.

We’re recruiting an outstanding individual to serve as the NIGMS Tribal health research strategy coordinator. The incumbent will report to the deputy director and assume a broad sphere of responsibilities that include, among others:

• Serving as the expert on matters related to Tribal health research within the NIGMS mission, and as a resource for the Institute director, deputy director, our associate director for extramural activities, and other senior leadership within NIGMS
• Serving as a senior-level NIGMS representative in collaborations and initiatives with the NIH Tribal Health Research Office, the Indian Health Service, Tribal nations, and federal and academic partners across the country
• Formulating, planning, directing, and evaluating broad NIGMS-wide program objectives, policies, and activities for Tribal health research projects, programs, and other grants/awards including the discovery, development, and evaluation of scientific areas critical for eventual prevention and therapeutic strategies
• Advising leadership on strategies to address ongoing matters with Tribal communities

UPDATE: These positions are now closed.

We’re recruiting accomplished scientists for positions in our Division of Extramural Activities (DEA); Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB); Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (GMCDB); and Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry (PPBC). The successful applicants will be responsible for scientific and administrative review or management of a portfolio of research and/or research training grants and career development awards.