Scientific Director, Chief Scientific Officer for Clinical Research

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Scientific Director
Chief Scientific Officer for Clinical Research
Clinical Center
National Institutes of Health

Clinical Center/Scientific Director: The Clinical Center (CC), the major research hospital of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),seeks to identify an outstanding Scientific Director to serve as the Chief Scientific Officer for Clinical Research, in Bethesda, Maryland. The position has responsibilities for oversight of the basic, translational, and clinical research performed by CC investigators while also having trans-NIH responsibilities related specifically to clinical research. In exerting trans-NIH clinical research responsibilities, the incumbent operates under the authority of the Deputy Director for Intramural Research.

The Chief Scientific Officer for Clinical Research (CSOCR) is a direct report to the CC Chief Executive Officer and a key member of the CC leadership team and advises the hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The CSOCR, in addition to serving as the Scientific Director (SD) for the CC, will also oversee the scientific review of all clinical protocols conducted within the NIH Intramural Program, provide oversight of the strategic planning process for Intramural Clinical Research, and prioritize clinical research conducted at the CC.

The CSOCR oversees the independent research conducted by research leaders within the NIH CC. As CSOCR for the CC, the incumbent will oversee the existing budget, including Institute funds supporting the clinical research of CC investigators. In addition to the budget, the incumbent will oversee the capital equipment inventory supporting the research that is currently valued at $13M. The CSOCR also maintains responsibility and authority for the budget distribution to CC investigators to assure they continue to engage in the highest quality of scientific research. This responsibility includes coordinating the activities of and responding to the advice of the CC Board of Scientific Counselors. The CSOCR will conduct quadrennial reviews of each independent scientist (currently 22 tenured and 2 tenure track investigators; 3 assistant clinical investigators; and 54 staff clinicians who conduct science as part of their job description). As new CC leaders with research interests are recruited, the CSOCR will work with the CC CEO and the CC Governing Board to assure research resources are available to support the recruits.

The CSOCR will oversee recruitment and professional development of staff; develop and implement new CC research initiatives; and catalyze interactions among CC research groups and between the other NIH Institutes and Centers, academic institutions, regulatory agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and the broader research and patient communities. CSOCR will be responsible for creating and maintaining a nurturing research environment that encourages creativity, collaboration among scientists from different disciplines and organizations, including pediatric patients and providers. The SD is also responsible for effective training of students and postdoctoral fellows, and efficient utilization of resources. Finally, the CSOCR will serve as a frequent spokesperson for CC and translational research.