Clinical Director, Division of Intramural Research

Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Bethesda, MD

Clinical Director

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers (ICs) that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIDCD conducts, fosters, and supports research and research training on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of deafness and other communication disorders through: intramural, collaborative, and field research in its own laboratories, branches, and clinics, and through contracts;  individual and institutional research training awards to increase trained professional research personnel in the fields of deafness and other communication disorders; and cooperation with various agencies in collecting and disseminating educational and informational material related to deafness and other communication disorders.

This position is located in the Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). The incumbent serves as Clinical Director (CD) of the Institute with direct responsibility for its clinical research program and activities. As CD, the incumbent is responsible for 1) planning and directing a program of translational and clinical research in diseases and disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language, and the development of technology related to such diseases and disorders; 2) maintaining communication with intramural and extramural research programs of the Institute to facilitate early practical application of research findings; 3) developing and maintaining the necessary scientific and clinical capability in DIR to foster and guide an effective clinical research program; and 4) directing the NIDCD Otolaryngology Surgeon-Scientist Program (OSSP) and other clinical research training programs to foster the development of the next generation of clinician scientists.

Within the Division, the Clinical Director oversees 1) clinical and translational research on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation in areas of major interest; 2) controlled, randomized clinical trials of promising new therapeutic strategies, including day-to-day operations of the clinical trials and 3) the building of clinical infrastructure within the NIDCD as it relates to expanding the ability to accomplish early phase clinical trials. The Clinical Research Program (CRP) includes four areas of major interest: hearing loss and disturbance of balance; disorders affecting the chemical senses of smell or taste; voice and speech disorders and language impairment; and disorders of the head and neck that affect human communication. The Clinical Director is responsible for development and oversight of clinical research protocols and ensuring that optimal medical care is provided to all patients participating in NIDCD protocols. Toward this purpose, they establish the infrastructure and guidelines to be followed by clinicians, nurses, and administrators taking care of patients at the Clinical Center.

The incumbent is expected to have experience and a track record enabling them to manage an independent clinical and/or translational laboratory research program related to disorders affecting one of the NIDCD mission areas, and may conceive, plan, organize, and conduct their own clinical and translational research in addition to being the Clinical Director. Depending on experience and track record, the incumbent may be eligible for concurrent appointment as a Senior Investigator or Senior Clinician, and Branch or Section Chief, as appropriate.

NIDCD offers unique opportunities for a scientific leader: opportunities for collaboration with an extensive community of NIH scientists, who have broad expertise across all fields of biomedical research.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Directing the NIDCD CRP consisting of Branches, Sections, and/or programs within the 7 mission areas of the Institute. Incumbent develops long-range clinical research goals and objectives and determines program priorities and funding levels needed to facilitate ongoing and planned research projects.

• Serving as a principal clinical advisor to the Director of the Institute and Scientific Director. The incumbent recommends and develops programs and policies for the execution of clinical research.

• Providing leadership for the recommendation, development, and implementation of programs and policies for clinical research to meet national and international health needs in clinical research related to diseases and disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language, as well as development of technology related to these disorders.

• Participating with the Institute Director and Scientific Director in decisions regarding implementation of policies and programs for the DIR, including requirements and resource allocation, space and budget, personnel actions, and allotment of positions for the CRP.

• Assuring the NIDCD Director of protection of human subjects, quality of clinical research, and patient care. The incumbent is responsible for disseminating information and enforcing compliance with the policies of the human subjects’ research protection program promulgated by the NIH Office of Human Subjects Research Protection (OHSRP) and protocols approved by the IRB.

• Responsibility, with support of the Chief of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (COHNS), for supervising the otolaryngology care of all patients enrolled in NIDCD and NIH protocols, including oversight of the outpatient clinics and patient care units of the NIDCD and of the personnel needed to operate them. Thus, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring optimal performance by physicians, nurses, other clinicians, and administrative and support personnel involved in patient care.

• Coordinating the work of various clinical regulatory and research support personnel involved with relevant translational and/or clinical research programs.

• Entering into cooperative arrangements with other federally and non-federally supported research activities to carry out collaborative projects.

• Serving as an expert consultant, advisor, and spokesperson nationally and internationally for the clinical research being carried out by the intramural program and also represents the Institute on various intramural committees as requested by the Institute Director and the Deputy Director for Intramural Research, NIH.

LOCATION: Bethesda, MD

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must possess an M.D. or equivalent degree with a current medical license and be an outstanding scientist and clinical researcher who has a proven track record in managing significant clinical research programs. Applicants must also have senior-level clinical experience and be eligible for clinical privileges at the NIH Clinical Center. It is preferred that the candidate has clinical trials experience and is a general ENT with an interest in Otology or an Otologist/Neurotologist. The candidate must have demonstrated administrative leadership experience running a complex clinical program or institution. The candidate should be a strong communicator with the ability to work collaboratively to solve problems and to make informed decisions.

SALARY/BENEFITS: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate. Full Federal benefits will be provided, including retirement, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). A recruitment or relocation bonus may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid.

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.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The NIH 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 the NIH Ethics website. We encourage applicants 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 education institutions in the United States. 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 ACCOMMODATION: NIH provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations 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.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested candidates should submit a one-page personal statement that indicates their interest and addresses their specific qualifications for the above-described position, a curriculum vitae that includes a description of mentoring and outreach activities, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research and bibliography; and full contact information for five references.   Please provide a one-page diversity statement that outlines the professional skills, experience, and/or your willingness to engage in activities that would enhance NIH and NIDCD efforts to achieve diversity and equity for gender, race/ethnicity, and disability status. In addition, applicants are asked to prepare a one-page vision statement that outlines their vision for clinical research in the NIDCD intramural research program.

Application packages should be sent via e-mail to NIDCDCDSearch@nidcd.nih.gov.

For further information about the position, please contact the Search Committee Chair: Avindra Nath, M.D. by e-mail: avindra.nath@nih.gov.

Review of applications will begin on or about May 23, 2022, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTH DATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON APPLICATION MATERIALS.

DHHS, NIH, and NIDCD are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage application from women and minorities.