1. You are here: AUCD Home
  2. About Us
  3. Employment
  4. Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD

Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD

Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2015


THE POSITION:  The NIH is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The Director provides strong and visionary leadership to a complex organization that conducts and supports biomedical and behavioral research -- nationally and internationally -- disseminating and communicating the results to further the health of children, adults, families and communities, and persons with physical and developmental disabilities. In so doing, the Director plans, sets goals and priorities for and ensures the continuous evaluation of an integrated and coordinated program of basic and applied biomedical and behavioral research investigations, clinical trials, and epidemiological and longitudinal studies. All of these research efforts provide the data, information and advances needed to influence not only emerging scientific opportunities but also evolving clinical practice and public health as it affects the health and well-being of the overall public and the populations of interest to the Institute.

The NICHD Director is also responsible for ensuring:

  • The strong support of training programs to ensure a continuous pipeline of scientific and clinical research talent in the fundamental sciences and in the clinical disciplines related to pediatric and women's health and in the rehabilitative sciences.
  • The development and dissemination of educational materials and other communication media to translate the Institute's advances into messages and materials that enhance pediatric and women's health and medical rehabilitation, with an emphasis on reaching the research community and a broad array of health professionals, special populations, and the lay public.
  • The development of coordinated and collaborative initiatives and activities with other NIH research institutes and with all federal health programs that have relevant and complementary research and public health activities.
  • The maintenance of continuous working relationships with institutions and professional associations and international, national, state and local officials and voluntary agencies and organizations concerned with furthering pediatric, women's and reproductive health, and the health of individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.

The Director, NICHD works with colleagues in the scientific community at the NIH and beyond to advance the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise, providing leadership at the NIH, Departmental and federal level in areas related to the specific mission of the Institute. To keep the Institute and the NIH on the cutting edge of science, the Director, NICHD develops networks and alliances, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, and staying abreast of important trends and new developments not only in his/her field, but also in the key scientific areas that characterize the Institute's mission.

The NICHD achieves its mission through multidisciplinary biomedical research programs, prevention and intervention efforts, and communication strategies that encompass training, education, technology transfer, and community outreach. To carry out its mission, the NICHD has a budget of $1.3 billion and a staff of approximately 1,200-including 620 full time equivalent employees.

In addition to the leadership and managerial/administrative responsibilities described above, the incumbent may carry out his/her own research program. Resources commensurate with the proposed program will be provided.

LOCATION:  The NICHD is located at the NIH Campus in Bethesda, Maryland, in offices in Rockville, Maryland, on a primate research reservation in Poolesville, Maryland, and in a clinical research facility in Detroit, Michigan.

THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:  Applicants must possess an M.D. and/or Ph.D., or comparable doctorate degree and have senior-level research experience and knowledge of research programs in one or more scientific areas related to pediatrics, developmental biology, obstetrics, gynecology, developmental disabilities, reproductive health, rehabilitation (order of listing does not indicate order of priority). Candidates should also demonstrate experience and an understanding of research and clinical management issues associated with both physical and developmental disabilities. The duties of this position require outstanding scientific knowledge and experience in the broad fields of biomedical, behavioral, clinical and translational research. A complete understanding of the federal government's organization and administration of scientific grants and programs, and of the regulations governing the protection of human subjects in research and the humane care and use of laboratory animals in research, is requisite to the functioning of this position. Applicants also must have demonstrated leadership experience in setting, planning, implementing and analyzing program objectives and priorities, and an ability to manage financial and human resources including building and maintaining a culturally diverse staff.

In addition to this knowledge and understanding, the Director, NICHD must 1) have the capacity to plan for and guide organizations in the conduct of intramural and extramural research activities; 2) be recognized by scientists, educators and administrators as an authoritative and outstanding scientific administrator; and 3) have a strong ability to communicate directly to the scientific community and to the public, including Congress, the importance of the Institute's mission and funded research, its future plans, and the meaning of the Institute's research findings to improve the health of children, adults, families and persons with physical and developmental disabilities.

SALARY/BENEFITS:  The Director, NICHD, will be appointed at a salary commensurate with his/her qualifications and experience. Full Federal benefits, including leave, health and life insurance, retirement and savings plan (401K equivalent) will be provided.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE:  The National Institutes of Health 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 http//:ethics.od.nih.gov/default.htm. 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 of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on Foreign Education verification, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION:  NIH provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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.

HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants must submit current curriculum vitae, bibliography, copy of doctoral degree, and the full contact details of three to five references to:  Mariela Light at [email protected] (301-496-9788). In addition, applicants are asked to prepare two statements, a vision statement and a statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements (please limit both statements to 2 pages each). All information provided by applicants will remain confidential and will be reviewed only by authorized officials of NIH.


APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 4, 2016 at 11:59 p.m., ET


NIH AND DHHS ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS