The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the premier biomedical research center for the world. Its 27 Institutes and Centers employ approximately 18,000 employees doing a vast array of jobs, all supporting efforts for a healthy nation. For information on the NIH mission, goals, and Institutes and Centers, visit NIH Overview.
Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH's budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. As a Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), you will take on a challenging, rewarding role with a direct opportunity to advance the mission of the NIH through stimulating, planning, advising, directing, and evaluating program activities for a portfolio of research projects and programs.
To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research.
These positions are located in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), within multiple Institutes/Centers or the Office of the Director.
Summary
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the premier biomedical research center for the world. Its 27 Institutes and Centers employ approximately 18,000 employees doing a vast array of jobs, all supporting efforts for a healthy nation. For information on the NIH mission, goals, and Institutes and Centers, visit NIH Overview.
Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH's budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. As a Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), you will take on a challenging, rewarding role with a direct opportunity to advance the mission of the NIH through stimulating, planning, advising, directing, and evaluating program activities for a portfolio of research projects and programs.
To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research.
These positions are located in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), within multiple Institutes/Centers or the Office of the Director.
As a Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), your typical work assignments may include:
Perform scientific and administrative reviews and analyzes of applications/proposals from a programmatic viewpoint.
Consult with and advise grantees/contractors during preparation of applications/proposals and provide guidance on program issues.
Develop, coordinate and administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts established to fulfill the mission of the Branch and Division.
Organize and conduct workshops, conferences, symposia, or similar activities.
Visit universities, research institutions, commercial organizations, other government agencies, and public and private organizations to promote and explain the objectives of the program.
Position is subject to a background investigation.
This position has a positive education requirement.
This announcement is open to U.S. citizens and non-citizen U.S. nationals only. A U.S. national is a non-citizen who was born in an outlying possession of the United States on or after the date of formal acquisition of such possession (including American Samoa and Swains Island, and in some instances the Northern Mariana Islands), or who is a child of U.S. nationals under certain circumstances, or who meets other requirements described in law at 8 U.S.C. § 1408. Visit the Department of State's web page for more information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/Certificates-Non-Citizen-Nationality.html
Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Read both Duties and Qualifications sections for full qualification requirements.
Qualifications
Basic Experience Requirements for All Grade Levels:
Applicants must demonstrate that they have worked independently in planning, organizing, and conducting biomedical behavioral health, or health-related research; served effectively, in research program administration in these fields; and acquired an understanding of the history, interests, internal dynamics, and relationships of organizations in which health research is conducted. This experience may be gained as a principal investigator of a grant or contract, or may otherwise be gained through active involvement in initiating research projects, developing protocols, conducting studies, documenting findings, interpreting results in a published report (journal), supervising staff, and managing the budget.
Requirements for Applicants to the GS-12 level:
The basic requirements for fully qualifying at this level are one year of independent health research beyond the doctoral degree and one year of health research program administration experience (can be undertaken concurrently). Qualifying professional experience may be obtained in one of the following environments.
Academic Environment: serving as principal investigator or equivalent on a grant or contract which may include institutional grant support or foundation funds, but should have been obtained competitively; independent research as evidenced by the development of a research project, and primary authorship of research publications in peer-reviewed journals; held the position of Instructor, Assistant Professor or equivalent.
OR
Intramural Environment: independent research, as evidenced by the development of research projects, and primary authorship of research publications in peer-reviewed journals; evidence of responsibility for significant aspects of laboratory/research unit (at least 3 years postdoctoral research); held the position of Staff Fellow, Senior Staff Fellow, Research Associate or equivalent.
OR
Private Sector (Profit/Nonprofit): conceptualization and implementation of a research project, primary authorship on internal research reports or patents, and/or publications in peer-reviewed journals; held the position of Research Scientist or equivalent.
OR
Extramural Environment: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in the public sector, performing the following types of review or program tasks: review for completeness applications for research grants or contracts; study scientific literature in order to place the proposed research project in its relationship to the research being done in the subject matter area; respond to issues and concerns about specific applications or proposals pertaining to assigned program areas.
Requirements for Applicants to the GS-13 level:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements of one year of independent health research beyond the doctoral degree and one year of health research program administration experience, applicants must possess at least one year of professional experience in one of the following environments.
Academic Environment: management of significant independent research projects (analogous to an RO1 and R29 grant) and supervision of graduate researchers or technicians; publications in refereed journals, presenting published work to scientific organizations and teaching graduate level courses in biomedical/behavioral or health-related disciplines; served as a reviewer on peer-review panels or journals; held the position of Assistant or Associate Professor or equivalent
OR
Intramural Environment: responsible for multiple scientific projects, supervising graduate researchers or technicians; publications in refereed journals, presenting published work to scientific organizations and teaching graduate level course in biomedical/behavioral or health related disciplines; served as a reviewer on peer-review panels or journals; held the position of Research Scientist (permanent position), Section Chief, or equivalent.
OR
Private Sector (Profit/Nonprofit): evidence of increasing responsibility in research or administration within the company; held the position of Senior Research Scientist/Project Manager or equivalent.
OR
Extramural Environment: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in the public sector, performing the following types of review or program tasks: review the technical and scientific merit of applications and proposals received requesting grant or contract funds; provide advice in program planning, solicitation, and evaluation to perform day-to-day administrative functions related to research grants and interagency agreements supporting research projects in my scientific area; identify new basic, translational and clinical research concepts, projects and initiatives to appropriate advisory groups; and formulate and develop Program Announcements, RFAs, RFPs, or a combination of these, to achieve objectives.
Requirements for Applicants to the GS-14 level:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess at least one year of professional experience that demonstrates extensive scientific expertise incorporating research experience with varied responsibilities for providing leadership in a scientific area, and functioning as a leader for a variety of efforts, such as directing research and coordinating committee and teaching activities, and organizing and chairing sessions at national scientific meetings. Qualifying professional experience may be obtained in one of the following environments.
Academic Environment: serves as an appointed member of a scientific peer-review panel or editorial board; held the position of Associate Professor, Professor or equivalent
OR
Intramural Environment: responsible for at least two concurrent research projects with separate staff and budgets and supervising doctoral level staff; held the position of Section Chief or equivalent for at least 2 years.
OR
Private Sector (Profit/Nonprofit): evidence of increasing responsibility in research or administration within the company; held the position of Senior Research Scientist/Project Manager or equivalent.
OR
Extramural Environment: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in the public sector, performing the following types of review or program tasks: organize and conduct workshops, conferences, symposia or similar activities to foster the aims of the program, to facilitate communication among investigators, or to advise on the status of progress and emerging directions of research in the assigned program area; manage the initial scientific and administrative review of center grant, program project grant, and training grant applications, as well as research project applications submitted in response to requests for applications, multicenter clinical trial applications, and contract proposals assigned to the program area; plan, advise, and evaluate program activities for a portfolio of research project, research program and other grants/awards, cooperative agreements, and/or contracts in the assigned program area and the discovery, development and evaluation of associated prevention and therapeutic strategies; review and evaluate periodic and interim progress reports to determine effectiveness of support and achievement of objectives; recommend funding plans for initiatives; establish the criteria and standards for a review panel.
Education
Basic Education Requirements: Applicants must meet the requirements described in paragraphs A or B below.
Successful completion of all requirements for a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree), in an accredited college or university, including acceptance of the dissertation, in an academic field of the health or pertinent sciences (i.e., biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, etc.) allied to health or health related research.
OR
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, with major study in an academic field of the health or pertinent sciences which have been applied and utilized by the applicant in health or health-related research and, in addition, at least 1 year of qualifying progressively responsible experience; or any equivalent combination of graduate study and research experience in these fields. This education and experience must demonstrate that the applicant has acquired the scientific knowledge, skills and abilities to apply and utilize them successfully in health or health-related research at a level which is the qualitative equivalent of that acquired in meeting all the requirements for the Ph.D. degree (or equivalent doctoral degree), including the dissertation as indicated above. The appropriate doctoral equivalency must be supported by publications in health or health-related research accomplishment in appropriate scientific journals; or other objective evidence in such form that it may be reviewed and evaluated.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.
Additional information
NCI/DCCPS, NCI/CSSI, NEI/DESP, NHGRI/DGS, NIDDK/DEM, NIDDK/KUH, NIMH/DSIR, NIMH/DTR, NIMH/DNBBS, NIMH/DAR, NIMH/OTDC, NINDS/CSC, OD/AOURP, OD/DPCPS, OD/ECHO are able to pay relocation expenses.
A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
NIH may repay certain outstanding Federally-insured student loans to facilitate the recruitment and retention of highly qualified people. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should also apply online to this announcement in order to receive consideration.
Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.
If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/topics/fd.htm.
Qualifying experience for this position refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: [telework, remote work, compressed schedules, flexible schedules].
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and Selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants. As part of the process, you may be asked to provide more detailed information about your experience and/or capabilities.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package, which includes
Your resume (see How to Apply section for requirements) and cover letter (if you wish to submit one)
Responses to the online questionnaire
Other supporting documents if applicable:
Veterans' preference (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): Reference Standard Form 15 (SF-15) for required documentation for 10 point claims. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you are claiming derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point claims, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
Schedule A (Disability Appointment): Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your Resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center or view their video tutorial.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
Other required supporting documents (See the Required Documents section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required.)
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
For additional information, click on the links below:
National Institutes of Health
2115 East Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20851
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Within 15 business days of the closing date, February 7, 2018, your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. In addition, you may also check your status online at USAJOBS.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package, which includes
Your resume (see How to Apply section for requirements) and cover letter (if you wish to submit one)
Responses to the online questionnaire
Other supporting documents if applicable:
Veterans' preference (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): Reference Standard Form 15 (SF-15) for required documentation for 10 point claims. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you are claiming derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point claims, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
Schedule A (Disability Appointment): Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your Resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center or view their video tutorial.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
Other required supporting documents (See the Required Documents section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required.)
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
For additional information, click on the links below:
National Institutes of Health
2115 East Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20851
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Within 15 business days of the closing date, February 7, 2018, your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. In addition, you may also check your status online at USAJOBS.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
