Description
Associate Director, Office of Scientific Resources
Office of Research Services, National Institutes of Health,
U.S. Department of Health Human Services (HHS)
Title 42(f) Science Program Leader
The Person: We are seeking an exceptional candidate to serve as the Associate Director, Office of Scientific Resources (ADSR), Office of Research Services (ORS). The ideal candidate will provide national leadership, direction, and accountability for all aspects of an office responsible for the development, administration, and delivery of scientific resources in support of research programs and clinical care delivery across the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the world’s foremost biomedical research centers and the Federal focal point for biomedical research in the United States. The ORS scientific resources components include the Division of Safety, the Division of Occupational Medical Services, the Division of Veterinary Resources, the Division of Library Services, and the Division of International Services.
Reporting to the ORS Deputy Director for Safety, Security and Campus Services, this position serves as a member of the ORS executive leadership team, spearheading and coordinating activities across NIH and among other federal agencies.
The Challenge: The ADSR is an integral scientific leadership position for the NIH and the U.S. Department of Health and Services (HHS). The incumbent needs to work successfully within and across NIH, HHS and other federal agency boundaries in support of the NIH scientific mission. Responsibilities include strategic planning; priority setting; and the implementation and evaluation of programs providing research support as well as health and safety services for NIH employees, patients, and visitors to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and at NIH’s satellite campuses across the United States. The incumbent provides management and oversight of an annual budget of $146 million and a workforce numbering 560 government employees and contractors. The following divisions comprise the Scientific Resources service cluster:
Division of Safety (DS): Provides executive leadership in the development, promulgation and implementation of occupational safety regulations, policies, standards, and procedures applicable to the NIH community. Through surveillance, consultation, training and education, serves as the operational component in developing and implementing NIH-wide safety programs. Administers and conducts the biological surety program as well as the radiation safety program for the NIH.
Division of Occupational Medical Services (DOMS): Provides a variety of work-related medical and counseling services to enhance the health and safety of the NIH workforce. These services are designed in close collaboration with NIH leadership and researchers to meet the unique needs of the NIH community. OMS services include pathogen-specific programs such as tuberculosis surveillance, animal exposure program, preventive services such as immunizations for health care and research staff, expert care for workplace injuries and illnesses, individual short-term counseling, and referral services for long-term counseling.
Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR): Provides professional, technical and scientific support services encompassing the care and use of animals, research consultation and disease control services to the NIH Intramural Research Program. As the central AAALAC International (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) accredited NIH laboratory animal support program, DVR serves NIH intramural investigators by providing a full range of essential and specialized veterinary services.
Division of Library Services (DLS): The NIH Library is an open-stacks biomedical research library whose collection and services are developed to support the programs of the National Institutes of Health and selected HHS agencies.
Division of International Services (DIS): Provides immigrationrelated services for foreign nationals within the NIH Intramural Research Program. There are over 2,000 active foreign national scientists currently in the NIH Visiting Program, making up 65% of the nonFTE researchers (postdocs), 63% of FTE Research Fellows and 18% of FTE Clinical Fellows in the Intramural Research Program. DIS also provides immigration services to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the NIH Clinical Center’s Patient Services through interagency agreements.
Information about Office of Research Services (ORS) can be found at https://ors.od.nih.gov/
More information about the programs and services provided by the Office of Scientific Resources is available at: https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/OD/Pages/ad_sr.aspx
Position Requirements: The ADSR, a Title 42(f), Science Program Leader position, is a full-time federal position in Bethesda, Maryland. Candidates must have an advanced degree (e.g., MD, DVM, PhD) in a scientific discipline (microbiology, toxicology, public health, etc.) necessary to direct the delivery of scientific resources across a complex, biomedical research institution. Experience overseeing a biomedical research program or programs is preferred. The successful candidate is subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure requirements. Appointees may be a US citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident or non-US citizen eligible for a valid work authorization. If selected, you will be tested for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing during employment.
Salary/Benefits: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate, within a range of $197,201 to $285,000. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be available, and relocation expenses may be offered based on eligibility. A full package of federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent).
How to Apply: All interested and qualified applicants (including current Federal employees and Commissioned Corps Officers) should visit https://hr.nih.gov/careers/open-positions/job-d6bd6709-be1a-4e20-bb06-80d620f6dd3b for additional information about the position, along with application requirements. In addition to their complete resume/CV with bibliography, candidates should submit a supplemental narrative statement that addresses their qualifications and the position’s responsibilities (not to exceed one page), and provide the names, titles, email addresses, and telephone numbers of 4-5 references. These should be sent by email to ORSADSRRecruitment@nih.gov
The Office of Research Services will begin accepting applications on October 14, 2026, and the search committee plans to start reviewing application materials on December 14. However, the announcement will stay open until the position is filled.
You may contact the Office of Research Services at ORSADSRRecruitment@nih.gov with questions about the position or for more information about this vacancy.
HHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. Visit https://eeo.nih.gov/ for more information.
