Job Posting: Director Small Molecule Neurotherapeutic Development

Summary

The NINDS Division of Translational Research (DTR) is seeking experienced scientists for the position of Director, Small Molecule Neurotherapeutic Development.

Located within the Division of Translational Research (DTR), the Director of Small Molecule Neurotherapeutic Development oversees the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network Small Molecules Program (BPN-SM) and the HEAL Initiative Pain Therapeutics Development Program (PTDP) teams. BPN-SM is part of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, a consortium of 14 NIH Institutes and Centers that jointly select, fund, and execute projects from early discovery through clinical trials.

The Director will develop and manage a robust portfolio of neurotherapeutic projects spanning early discovery through clinical trials, with the long-term goal of advancing new treatments that improve patient health. This role requires high-level executive skills to manage a substantial budget and lead a team of scientists, program managers, and support staff in advancing a large pipeline of investigator-initiated highly collaborative research and development projects supported by grants and NIH managed R&D contracts with contract research organizations (CROs) and consultants. BPN-SM takes on promising CNS therapeutic projects that have strong scientific and public health rationale but are often too early, too risky, too novel, or insufficiently commercially mature for traditional pharma investment. The program helps generate the data, development strategy, and candidate quality needed to move these projects toward clinical testing and potential downstream partnership.

As a member of senior leadership, the Director will work with internal and external project teams to manage scientific, drug-development, and regulatory activities, and will help deliver viable biomedical products to the clinic.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, along with broad multidisciplinary scientific expertise in small molecules and neurotherapeutic development, including leadership experience advancing projects from early-stage ideas to patient impact in industry, biotechnology or translational academic settings.

Competitive applicants must have technical experience in one or more specialized areas relevant to small-molecule drug development, including medicinal chemistry, assay development, DMPK, pharmacology, toxicology, IND-enabling studies, regulatory strategy, CMC, and/or clinical development.

The successful candidate will bring scientific credibility, operational excellence, and strong communication skills to a highly visible NIH translational research program.

The Director must be able to:

• Collaborate with Principal Investigators, scientists, key opinion leaders, project managers, and consultants across the therapeutic spectrum to resolve translational challenges and help investigators move products toward clinical trials efficiently and cost-effectively
• Direct and influence multidisciplinary teams to maintain focus on key milestones and critical-path activities, to advance projects on time and within budget
• Understand the full preclinical and early clinical product development pipeline, including product optimization, assay development, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, preclinical scale-up and manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and early-phase human clinical trials
• Lead multidisciplinary teams through the drug discovery and IND application process
• Leverage experience in both industry and academic settings to establish and strengthen relationships and partnerships with academic institutions and small businesses
• Provide strategic direction, mentorship, performance management, and professional development for program staff

Duties

The Director exercises broad influence over neurotherapeutic development and policy issues, providing high-level leadership in the following areas:

• Managing a diverse portfolio of neurotherapeutic development projects spanning discovery through first-in-human clinical trials
• Balancing scientific innovation with rigorous project management, sound budget planning, and responsible stewardship of public resources
• Making sound, data-driven judgments on stage-appropriate risk for NIH investments in neurotherapeutic development projects, and timely portfolio decisions
• Supervising seven staff members involved in neurotherapeutic development programs
• Engaging with the extramural translational community through national meetings, targeted foundations, webinars, and other forums
• Advising the NINDS and DTR Directors on research opportunities to advance the mission and success of the BPN-Small Molecules and PTDP programs

Who Can Apply

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

To be eligible for this position, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. Candidates must indicate their U.S. citizenship status on their CV or within their email application submission.

In order to qualify for this position, candidates must possess either a doctoral-level degree in biomedicine or a biological related field, or a master's level or higher degree in:

• engineering
• bioinformatics
• or an emerging or related scientific field.

In addition, candidates must have at least one year of experience related to the position, including achievements in one or more of the following areas to demonstrate the individual has received recognition as an expert in the field:

• Conducted original biomedical research published in peer-reviewed journals of high stature
• Received major prizes and awards (such as visiting professorships and named lectureships) in recognition of original contributions to biomedical research
• Received invitations to speak at or chair major national or international meetings or symposia
• Elected to membership in professional societies of high stature, or
• Meets other criteria demonstrating sufficient rigor or accomplishment in a relevant or closely related field that is necessary to the accomplishment of NIH's mission.

If you are a current Federal Title 5 employee, you must have one year of equivalent experience at the GS-14 level or above

Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure

If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency.

Foreign Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Learn more about Foreign Education.

Reasonable Accommodation

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should email a resume to [email protected].

Use the following subject line format: "NINDS Small Molecules Director, [Your Name]"