NIMH Program Officer in Computational Psychiatry

The NIMH Division of Translational Research is recruiting for a program officer to lead the Computational Psychiatry Program. The position is within the Adult Psychopathology & Psychosocial Interventions Development Branch. Please review the job vacancy announcement (copied below) on Careers at NIMH to read more about this important position and how to apply.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application via the global Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer/Scientific Review Officer) vacancy announcement that will be available through www.usajobs.gov from January 18, 2023, through January 27, 2023. Applicants should also send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to NIMHsearch@mail.nih.gov.

Program Overview

The Division of Translational Research (DTR) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) directs, plans, and supports programs of research that translate knowledge from basic science to discover the etiology, pathophysiology, and trajectory of mental disorders and develop effective interventions for children and adults. The DTR seeks qualified Health Scientist Administrators (Program Officers) in their Computational Psychiatry Program. This program aims to foster innovative computational approaches to identify and validate novel mechanisms, biomarkers, and treatment targets relevant to the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders. The program supports research projects that use advanced computational tools with behavioral, biological, and/or clinical data to decipher complex mechanisms involved in mental disorders and to predict risk and treatment response. Toward these goals, the program also supports translational research focused on novel approaches to classification of mental disorders and the use of computational models for validating RDoC constructs in the clinic.

Position Duties

Individuals are encouraged to apply who can initiate, plan, develop, and direct NIMH extramural research programs administered by the Branch. The selected candidate will serve as Program Officer for a portfolio of grants, contracts, and/or cooperative agreements and participate in collaborative activities with other NIH institutes and federal departments or agencies, as appropriate.

Competitive candidates are expected to be accomplished scientists with a good understanding of how biomedical research is performed and expertise in advancing translational research using computational models and methods focused on multi-scale computational modeling of behavioral, biological, clinical and other data types. A publication record, prior research experience, and evidence of familiarity with current literature in computational psychiatry is essential. This position requires working independently and collaboratively and offers opportunities to impact priorities, develop new initiatives, and contribute to the advancement of a national research program.

Qualifications

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university, including acceptance of the dissertation in computational methods or other pertinent academic fields of sciences allied to health or health-related research.

This position requires working both independently and collaboratively. Strong organizational, oral, written, and communication skills are also required. Experience managing research programs and coordinating professional groups and associations’ activities is also desirable. Strong organizational, oral, writing, and communication skills are required. Experience with the grant review process is preferable. The successful candidate is subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure requirements.

The work site is in Rockville, Maryland. A complete federal civil service benefits package includes retirement, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

A global Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer/Scientific Review Officer) announcement will be available through www.usajobs.gov from January 18, 2023, through January 27, 2023. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to also send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to NIMHsearch@mail.nih.gov. Visit the NIH Federal Resume Tips website for guidance on creating a federal resume at  https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/how-apply/tips-writing-federal-resume.

For medical and scientific specialties, qualification requirements, evaluation criteria, and application instructions, please view the vacancy announcement at https://jobs.nih.gov/globalrecruitment/. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, including a curriculum vitae, to NIMHsearch@mail.nih.gov.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the NIH Federal Resume Tips website for guidance on creating a federal resume.

DHHS and NIH are equal-opportunity employers

The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. HHS and NIH are equal-opportunity employers.