DPCPSI Careers
The Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) is within the Office of the Director (OD) at the NIH and is composed of 14 Offices. DPCPSI is committed to the core values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility that allow all staff to reach their potential and fully contribute to the Division’s mission which includes identifying emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, and scientific knowledge gaps that merit further research. Join DPCPSI and make a difference!
Current Career Opportunities
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Director, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research / Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
The NIH is seeking exceptional candidates for the challenging position of Director, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) in the Office of the NIH Director. The Director also functions as the NIH Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. The Director provides advice and staff support to the NIH Director and the Director, DPCPSI, serves as the NIH focal point for establishing agency-wide policies and goals in behavioral and social sciences research, and coordinates the activities undertaken in the performance of this research. This is a dual reporting position. As the Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, the position reports to the Director, NIH, and as the Director, OBSSR, the position reports to the Director, DPCPSI, and has NIH-wide responsibilities. Information about the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research is located at its website: https://obssr.od.nih.gov/.
To apply: Applicants must submit a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) and bibliography (if not included in your CV) and a photocopy of your doctoral degree. In addition, applications are asked to prepare two statements: a vision statement and a statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements (please limit both statements to two pages each) and to provide the name, title, email, and telephone number of three references. Complete applications packages must be submitted to OBSSRdirectorsearch@nih.gov. Applications will be reviewed starting May 14, 2022 and will be accepted until the position is filled.
For additional information please see the NIH executive search page here: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/search/executive/job-55286
Pay scale & grade: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Open & close date: Monday, March 14, 2022 (Open until filled)
Office: Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) -
Director, Office of Dietary Supplements
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, Office of Dietary Supplements. This is an exciting opportunity to provide leadership for and coordinate scientific research within the NIH relating to dietary supplements; serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary and to the Assistant Secretary for Health and provide advice to the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs on issues relating to dietary supplements; collect and compile the results of scientific research relating to dietary supplements, and maintain a database of scientific research on dietary supplements and individual nutrients and a public database of NIH research support that examines the relationship between dietary supplements and disease prevention; and coordinate funding relating to dietary supplements for the NIH.
In this role, you will lead the NIH effort to assess research gaps, encourage, and facilitate scientific studies necessary for a full understanding of evidence-based benefits and risks of dietary supplements and will collaborate with other Federal agencies and the private sector to develop and initiate a national research agenda and programs focused on dietary supplements. Successful candidates will have outstanding communication, strong program management, executive leadership, and relationship building skills which are essential to the formulation of initiatives, resources, and policies that promote research on dietary supplements. Extensive research experience in dietary supplements, medicine, dietetics, pharmacology, chemistry, or biochemistry is required (including botanicals, probiotics, purity, metabolism and safety of dietary supplements, nutrient dietary supplements, and/or the use of dietary supplements in interventional research for disease prevention or health promotion). Clinical and/or translational research experience is desirable, but not required. Candidates must have an M.D, Ph.D. or equivalent. Candidates with a range of experience are welcome, including from the private and public sectors.
The Office of Dietary Supplements, located within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) in the Office of the NIH Director strengthens knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating research results, and educating the public to foster an enhanced quality of life and health for the U.S. population.
This Title 42 position offers a unique and exciting opportunity for a leader to execute and manage the daily operations in support of the ODS strategic vision and mission. He/she leads efforts to plan, coordinate, integrate and evaluate dietary supplement research and other dietary supplement research activities conducted and supported by the NIH; develops a strategic plan for the conduct/support of dietary supplement research and related activities; and provides consultation, leadership, guidance, and direction with respect to the scope and direction of dietary supplement research to Institute and Center Directors, policy makers, the dietary supplement stakeholder community, and others interested in and affected by dietary supplement research activities.
Information about ODS is located at its website: https://ods.od.nih.gov. Information about the National Institutes of Health in located at its website.
View the full description and required qualifications: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/search/executive/job-18221
Pay scale & grade: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Open & close date: Monday, January 17, 2022 (Open until filled)
Office: Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) -
Director, Office of Nutrition Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for the critically important position of Director, Office of Nutrition Research (ONR). This is an exciting opportunity to provide leadership for and coordinate scientific research within the NIH relating to nutrition; serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary and to the Assistant Secretary for Health; and provide advice to the NIH Director and Director, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI).
The ONR is a new office located within DPCPSI in the NIH Office of the Director (OD). As the NIH Acting Director stated in his testimony to Congress for the FY 2023 President’s budget, “The FY 2023 President’s Budget requests $97.2 million for the NIH Office of the Director to support ONR.” The ONR will play a central role in planning initiatives that address the most pressing scientific opportunities in nutrition research. In addition, the ONR (1) advises the NIH Director, DPCPSI Director, and other key officials on matters relating to research on nutrition; (2) coordinates implementation of the Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research; (3) coordinates research projects in nutrition science conducted or supported by the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) and/or the OD; (4) identifies research projects that deserve expanded effort and support by the ICs or the OD; (5) develops nutrition research projects in cooperation with the ICs and OD; (6) represents the NIH on intra- and or inter-agency/departmental committees on nutrition research and related policy issues; and (7) builds relationships with advocacy organizations and private sector organizations invested in nutrition research and serves as a national leader and respected and evidence-based communicator of nutrition science to the Congress, the Administration, and the public.
In this role, you will lead the NIH effort to assess research priorities and gaps, encourage and facilitate scientific studies, conduct, and implement nutrition science while acknowledging the cultural diversity of dietary patterns in the U.S. population. The ONR Director will also collaborate with other Federal agencies and the private sector to develop and initiate a national research agenda and programs focused on nutrition. Successful candidates will have outstanding communication, strong program management, executive leadership, and relationship building skills which are essential to the formulation of initiatives, resources, and policies that promote research on nutrition. Candidates will be highly respected experts in the national nutrition research community and recognized as an authority in nutrition science. Clinical, translational, and implementation science research are critical for this position. Candidates must have an M.D, Ph.D. or equivalent. Candidates with a range of experience are welcome, including from the private and public sectors.
This Title 42 position offers a unique and exciting opportunity for a scientific leader to execute and manage the daily operations in support of the ONR strategic vision and mission. The incumbent leads efforts to plan, coordinate, integrate and evaluate nutrition research and other nutrition research-related activities conducted and supported by the NIH; develops a strategic plan for the conduct/support of nutrition research and related activities; and provides consultation, leadership, guidance, and direction with respect to the scope and direction of nutrition research to Institute and Center Directors, policy makers, the nutrition science stakeholder community, and others interested in and affected by nutrition research activities.
The Director, ONR provides leadership, direction, and coordination for the implementation of the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research. This plan emphasizes cross-cutting, innovative opportunities to advance nutrition research across a wide range of areas, from basic science to experimental design to research training. Estimated NIH nutrition research funding in FY 2019 totaled approximately $1.9 billion and included 4,600 projects. The Director, ONR leads NIH-wide nutrition research efforts, including facilitating collaborations between and among the ICs. The Director, ONR chairs the NIH Nutrition Research Coordinating Committee which has broad representation from the NIH ICs and several OD offices and includes liaisons from other federal offices and agencies. The ONR Director serves as the co-Executive Secretary of the Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research (ICHNR) which is charged with improving the planning, coordination, and communication among federal agencies engaged in nutrition research. The ICHNR is co-chaired by the USDA Chief Scientist/Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics and the HHS Assistant Secretary for Health.
Learn more and apply: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/search/executive/job-63981
Pay scale & grade: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Open & close date: Friday, September 30, 2022 (Open until filled)
Position type: Supervisory
Office: Office of Nutrition Research (ONR) -
Director, Tribal Health Research Office
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, Tribal Health Research Office (THRO). This is an exciting opportunity to strategically engage NIH and tribal partners in biomedical research and coordinate scientific research within the NIH relating to tribal health. The THRO, located within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) in the Office of the NIH Director, coordinates tribal health research-related activities across NIH; acts as a convener to engage experts and representatives from across disparate areas and from across NIH to develop consensus policies and practices; serves as the NIH representative on tribal health related committees or working groups at NIH and across the federal government; coordinates and convenes the NIH Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) and manages information sharing to and from the TAC; collaborates with NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) and OD Offices on the development of reports, data calls, and other requests on tribal health topics; oversees information dissemination related to health research for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations; convenes NIH-wide committees, workshops, meetings, and other activities related to tribal health research and scientific priorities; develops and leads the NIH ICs in interpreting and applying the Tribal Consultation Policy; leads development of the NIH Strategic Plan for Tribal Health Research which sets the agency’s agenda for research serving the tribes; and works with NIH ICs to leverage resources or develop initiatives to support tribal health research. The budget for THRO in FY 2021 is $1.9 million, overseeing a team of six, which includes 1 Supervisory Health Science Policy Analyst, 1 GS-15 Health Science Policy Analyst, 1 GS-14 Health Science Policy Analyst, 1 GS-13 Program Analyst, 1 GS-13 Health Communications Specialist, and 1 GS-11 Staff Assistant. Estimated funding for NIH AI/AN research in FY 2020 was $226 million.
This Title 42 position offers a unique and exciting opportunity for a leader to execute and manage the daily operations in support of the THRO strategic vision and mission. The THRO Director serves as one of 11 Program Office Directors in DPCPSI and leads efforts to plan, coordinate, integrate and evaluate tribal health research and other activities conducted and supported by the NIH; leads development of a strategic plan for the conduct/support of tribal health research and related activities; and provides consultation, leadership, guidance, and direction with respect to the scope and direction of tribal health research to IC Directors, policy makers, AI/AN leaders and community members, and others interested in and affected by tribal health research.
View the full job description: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/search/executive/job-60456
Pay scale & grade: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Open & close date: Tuesday, July 19, 2022 (Open until filled)
Position type: Supervisory
Office: Tribal Health Research Office (THRO) -
Health Science Policy Analyst (HSPA), Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
GS 12/13/14
OBSSR seeks one (1) social or behavioral scientist to serve as a HSPA. This position requires an HSPA who has subject matter expertise in the social and behavioral sciences as they relate to health. The HSPA will help coordinate and perform analyses using expertise in areas such as portfolio analyses, NIH administrative data, policy and evaluation projects related to behavioral and social science research across diseases and the lifespan. The HSPA will participate in and lead cross-NIH scientific meetings and activities and provide expert guidance to the OBSSR leadership as well as the internal and external behavioral and social science community. The HSPA will evaluate, plan, and coordinate high priority analytic work, strategic planning and similar projects that are vital to achieving the mission of OBSSR and the NIH. Through coordination and liaison activities across NIH, the HSPA will enhance information exchange, integration, and coordination of behavioral and social science research activities at the NIH. The HSPA will advise the OBSSR leadership on analysis, research policy, and legislative affairs as related to OBSSR’s mission and interests. The HSPA may contribute to the production of appropriate congressional reports, justifications, responses to questions for the record, and appropriations briefs. The applicant should have a background in the behavioral or social sciences and experience relevant to behavioral and social processes and health. Desired qualifications include but are not limited to:
- Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to cultivate partnerships and maintain relationships at all levels across an organization to develop and implement program priorities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences.
A link to apply to this position will be posted when available.
If you would like to know more about this position, please contact: Dr. Wendy B. Smith, Associate Director, OBSSR at smithwe@mail.nih.gov.
Open & close date: (Open until filled)
Position type: Non-supervisory
Office: Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) -
Health Science Policy Analyst, Office of Disease Prevention
Open to Current Federal Employees for consideration
The Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) has a unique position to serve as the lead program office focused on assessing, facilitating, and stimulating research in disease prevention and health promotion, and disseminating the results of this research to improve public health. This position will develop, support, and lead trans-NIH portfolio analysis and evaluation activities to inform prevention-related priority-setting and strategic initiatives. Efforts will support the implementation of the ODP Strategic Plan with a significant role and responsibilities across two ODP Strategic Priority (SP) Teams – SP I: Conduct Portfolio Analysis & Impact Assessment and SPII: Identify Research Gaps. More information about the Office of Disease Prevention can be found at: https://prevention.nih.gov/.
To be considered: Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, and two examples of previously conducted portfolio analyses, evaluations and/or impact assessments to Marlon Bankhead at marlon.bankhead@nih.gov.
Application Period begins on October 3rd, 2022 and will remain open until the position is filled.
Please note this is not a job announcement but an indication of interest only.
Pay scale & grade: GS 13
Open & close date: Monday, October 3, 2022 (Open until filled)
Office: Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) -
Health Science Policy Analyst, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs
The Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) seeks applicants to fill Health Science Policy Analyst (HSPA) positions (GS-601-13 or -14) in its Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) and Division of Construction and Instruments (DCI). DCM funds a comprehensive grant portfolio of animal model-related resources and projects enabling translational research from discovery to final testing before initiation of human clinical trials. DCI supports the Shared Instrumentation Programs for acquisition of state-of-the-art instrumentation and integrated instrument systems and the Construction Program to expand, re-model, renovate, or alter existing research facilities and to construct new research facilities.
An HSPA provides technical leadership and scientific guidance in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of critical parts of the biomedical research continuum; provide data, analyses, and evaluations to support identifying gaps and improving managed programs, initiative development, and research trend prediction; and identify research areas warranting modification of funding emphasis; and provide leadership and direction in the development of plans and timelines to implement new programmatic recommendations and in the development of new solicitations.
Of particular interest are candidates with: 1) expertise in animal models for research in health sciences, including vertebrate or invertebrate species, animal genetics, molecular biology, and other relevant areas (DCM); 2) familiarity with scientific instrumentation such as X-ray diffraction systems, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometers, DNA and protein sequencers, biosensors, electron and confocal microscopes, cell-analyzers, biomedical imagers, biomedical devices, or bioengineering (DCI); or 3) understanding of construction and modernization of research facilities (DCI).
Applications will be accepted sometime in October when a link to the application on USA jobs will be available. If you wish to express interest in this position, or seek additional information, please feel free to email the contacts below. The links to the application on USA Jobs will be posted when available.
Please direct questions and clarifications to Stephanie Murphy, VMD, Ph.D. (stephanie.murphy@nih.gov) for DCM or Xiang-Ning Li, Ph.D. (xiang-ning.li@nih.gov) for DCI.
Open & close date: Saturday, October 1, 2022 (Open until filled)
Position type: Non-supervisory
Office: Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) -
Supervisory Health Science Policy Analyst (HSPA), Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
GS 15
OBSSR seeks one (1) social or behavioral analyst to serve as a supervisory Health Science Policy Analyst (HSPA). This position requires an HSPA who has subject matter expertise in the social and behavioral sciences as they relate to health. The supervisory HSPA will lead the Scientific Program Planning, Evaluation and Analysis staff and serve as first line supervisor for the HSPA staff in the office. The supervisory HSA/SBSA will help coordinate and perform analyses using expertise in areas such as portfolio analyses, NIH administrative data, policy and evaluation projects related to behavioral and social science research across diseases and the lifespan. The HSPA will participate in and lead cross-NIH scientific meetings and activities and provide expert guidance to the OBSSR leadership as well as the internal and external behavioral and social science community. The HSPA will evaluate, plan, and coordinate high priority analytic work, strategic planning and similar projects that are vital to achieving the mission of OBSSR and the NIH. Through coordination and liaison activities across NIH, the HSPA will enhance information exchange, integration, and coordination of behavioral and social science research activities at the NIH. The supervisory HSPA will advise the OBSSR leadership on analysis, research policy, and legislative affairs as related to OBSSR’s mission and interests. The supervisory HSPA may contribute or oversee the production of appropriate congressional reports, justifications, responses to questions for the record, and appropriations briefs. The applicant should have a background in the behavioral or social sciences and experience relevant to behavioral and social processes and health. Desired qualifications include but are not limited to:
- Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to cultivate partnerships and maintain relationships at all levels across an organization to develop and implement program priorities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences.
A link to apply to this position will be posted when available.
If you would like to know more about this position, please contact: Dr. Wendy B. Smith, Associate Director, OBSSR at smithwe@mail.nih.gov.
Pay scale & grade: GS 15
Open & close date: (Open until filled)
Position type: Supervisory
Office: Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)
Note: If you applied for a position that includes opportunities across the NIH, you may be contacted by someone from an NIH Institute, Center, or Office outside of DPCPSI for a job similar to the one for which you applied. It is common for applications received to be shared across the agency. You are also encouraged to apply for other appropriate jobs that are being advertised across the NIH.
This page last reviewed on September 2, 2022