Staff Scientist 2 (Core Laboratory)

Chief, Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch

Rocky Mountain Laboratories

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)—a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—is recruiting a staff scientist 2 (core laboratory) to serve as chief of the Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch (RMVB) and attending veterinarian, Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML). This position is located on NIAID’s RML campus in Hamilton, Montana. 

The selected candidate will provide active and visible leadership to the RML Animal Program and oversee all policy matters and administrative management of RMVB. The incumbent will oversee the execution of a multimillion-dollar budget and ensure safe conduct of animal research in biosafety level (BSL) 3 and BSL-4 laboratories. The incumbent will also provide expert scientific input and support to RML investigators and research groups for the planning, design, execution, and analysis of infectious disease research studies involving the use of animals. The incumbent will direct the development and implementation of comprehensive RML plans to ensure that the animal facilities will meet immediate and future research needs, which includes the capability to provide overall veterinary clinical and pathology services required by RML researchers. The incumbent will maintain liaison with leaders in laboratory animal medicine, care, and use, including national and international societies and organizations. In addition, the incumbent will maintain up-to-date knowledge of all animal health, animal utilization, and environmental conditions required by oversight organizations, such as the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. The incumbent will be responsible for assuring compliance with all animal care and use policies of the Public Health Service and other regulations.

Applicants must have a D.V.M. or equivalent doctoral veterinary degree and be specialty board certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. The ideal candidate will have considerable experience working in animal biosafety level (ABSL) 4 containment, several years’ experience working with nonhuman primate models of emerging infectious diseases, experience working with select agents, and demonstrated experience leading a large, complex, species-diverse laboratory animal program. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance to work with select agents and must be physically capable of working in BSL-3 and BSL-4 environments for up to 5 hours at a time.

Salary is commensurate with experience and accomplishments. A full civil-service package of benefits (including retirement; health, life, and long-term care insurance; Thrift Savings Plan; etc.) is available. Women and people from other groups underrepresented in biomedical research are especially encouraged to apply. U.S. citizenship is not required.

To Apply

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV)/bibliography and a statement describing how their expertise will contribute to the success of the RMVB, including approaches to training, management, and commitment to fostering diversity in biomedical research (two-page limit). Additionally, three letters of reference must be sent directly from the referees. Please include in your CV a description of mentoring and outreach activities in which you have been involved, especially those involving women and people from other groups underrepresented in biomedical research. All application materials should be submitted to NIAIDDIRSearch@niaid.nih.gov between January 24 and January 28, 2023.

HHS, NIH, and NIAID are equal opportunity employers. NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community through its training and employment programs.