Job Posting: Staff Scientist - NIA

Summary

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is recruiting seven (7) Staff Scientists within its Intramural Research Program (IRP), located in Baltimore, MD.

A Staff Scientist is a central member of a research team with specialized expertise essential to the laboratory’s work. They work under the Principal Investigator to advance the research program, mentor trainees, and collaborate with IRP staff and the broader scientific community. They often work independently but do not receive independent resources.

Details for each Staff Scientist position are listed below.

Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (LBN)

The Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND) Unit, LBN, led by Dr. Keenan Walker, Senior Investigator, studies neurodegeneration, dementia, and age-related cognitive decline using multi-omic (proteomic, genetic, epigenetic), multimodal neuroimaging, and clinical data from human cohort studies. The Staff Scientist will lead integrative analyses of multi-omic and clinical datasets. A Ph.D. in neuroscience, epidemiology, biostatistics, computational biology, or related quantitative fields is required. Expertise in areas such as bioinformatics, statistics, or machine learning is preferred. Vacancy #NIA-IRP-LBN-26-01.

Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LCI)

The Magnetic Resonance Physics of Aging and Dementia (MRPAD) Unit, LCI, led by Dr. Mustapha Bouhrara, Senior Investigator, investigates mechanisms of aging and dementia. The Staff Scientist will lead the development of advanced MRI biomarkers to study disease progression, underlying mechanisms, and disease heterogeneity, integrating multi-modal imaging and non-imaging data. Expertise in quantitative MRI across 3T and/or 7T platforms, longitudinal modeling, or large-scale data analysis is highly desirable. A Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, computer science, physics, or a related field is required. Vacancy #NIA-IRP-LCI-26-02.

The Lipid Peroxidation Unit, LCI, led by Dr. Christopher Ramsden, Investigator, studies nutrition and dysfunctional lipid metabolism in age-related diseases including chronic pain, and neurodegenerative diseases. The preferred candidate will have specialized expertise in brain lipids, lipid peroxidation, oxylipins, neuroinflammation, chronic pain, pain mediators and pathways, glial biology, dementia, mass spectrometry, clinical trials, manuscript preparation, and mentoring fellows. A Ph.D. in nutritional sciences, lipid biology, biomedical science, or related fields is required. Vacancy #NIA-IRP-LCI-26-03.

Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics (LGG)

The RNA Regulation Section, LGG, led by Dr. Myriam Gorospe, Senior Investigator, studies the RNA-centered regulation of gene expression programs in aging physiology and disease. The Staff Scientist will be responsible for performing cutting-edge RNA biology research (short-read, long-read, and spatial transcriptomic analyses, as well as noncoding RNA work and epitranscriptomic research) in aging paradigms. A Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or related fields is required. Experience in aging-relevant molecular and cellular biology is strongly preferred. Vacancy #NIA-IRP-LGG-26-04.

Translational Gerontology Branch (TGB)

The Experimental Gerontology Section, TGB, led by Dr. Rafael de Cabo, Senior Investigator, studies longitudinal aging in mice and dietary interventions for healthy aging. The Staff Scientist will lead integrative analysis of phenotypic, physiological, behavioral, pathological, and multi-omics data using bioinformatics, statistical modeling, machine learning, and network analysis. A Ph.D. in biological sciences or related fields is required. The preferred candidate will possess experience in areas such as experimental and computational biology, management, and engineering of large-scale datasets with varied structures, data sharing platforms, data integration, machine learning, or advanced analytics (descriptive and predictive). Vacancy #NIA-IRP-TGB- 26-05.

The Epigenetics and Stem Cell Aging Unit, TGB, led by Dr. Isabel Beerman, Investigator, studies epigenetic changes in aged stem cells. The Staff Scientist will lead integrative multi-omics research on the epigenetic mechanisms of aging and disease, with a focus on tissue-specific stem cells. The preferred candidate will have specialized experience in single-cell and bulk omics analysis, microbiome and metabolome integration, and development of web-based bioinformatics tools and expertise in epigenomics, R/Python, and HPC. A Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, or related fields is required. Vacancy #NIA-IRP-TGB-26-06.

The Confocal Imaging Facility of the Experimental Gerontology Section, TGB, led by Dr. Fred Indig, Staff Scientist Facility Head, under the direction of the responsible Principal Investigator, Dr. Rafael de Cabo, provides support for all imaging needs of the NIA IRP. The Staff Scientist will lead image-based research on aging and age-related changes, focusing on muscle biology and exercise physiology. The preferred candidate will have specialized expertise in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence imaging, longitudinal and dietary intervention studies, and integrative multiomics analysis. A Ph.D. in biology, biomedicine, or related fields is required. Experience in advanced electron and light microscopy, advanced image analysis, and physiological research is strongly preferred. Vacancy #NIA-IRP-TGB-26-07.

Additional information regarding the NIA IRP is available at the following website: www.irp.nia.nih.gov.

Who Can Apply

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Eligible candidates must have a Ph.D. orequivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences (or related fields as described below) with productive postdoctoral experience as evidenced by relevant accomplishments and a record of primary and collaborative publications in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals.

Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and accomplishments. A full Civil Service package of benefits (including retirement, health and life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan participation, etc.) may be available. All employees of the Federal Government are subject to conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers.

Visit https://eeo.nih.gov/for information on NIH's EEO program, reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the EEO complaint process.

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

Please submit a complete application package as a single PDF to [email protected] (Attn: Sarah Lewis, Supervisory Management Analyst, Office of the Scientific Director, NIA). Applicants must reference the vacancy number for the position(s) of interest; incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications must include:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae and Bibliography (current)
3. Statement of Research Interests (one page)

Please note: Letters of reference are not required at the time of application but will be required from candidates identified as finalists.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted from June 22, 2026, through 11:59 PM ET on July 1, 2026, for first-round review. If no selection is made, applications received after this deadline will be considered in subsequent review rounds.

DISCLAIMERS: Appointees may be a US citizen, Legal Permanent Resident or non-US citizen who are eligible for a valid work authorization. This position is subject to a background investigation.