Job Posting: Associate Director for Research

Summary

The Associate Director for Research (ADR) serves as the Institute's senior scientific executive responsible for providing enterprise-wide leadership, strategic direction, and executive oversight of NIAAA's research enterprise. Reporting directly to the Director, NIAAA, the ADR is a key member of the Institute's Executive Leadership Team and serves as the principal advisor on scientific strategy, research investments, portfolio stewardship, and organizational performance for one of the Nation's leading biomedical research portfolios addressing alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-associated health outcomes.

The ADR provides executive leadership for the development and execution of NIAAA's long-range scientific vision, ensuring that the Institute's research investments anticipate emerging scientific opportunities, address evolving public health challenges, and maximize the impact of federal resources. The incumbent leads strategic planning across NIAAA's four extramural scientific divisions as well as the Intramural Research Program and provides executive oversight of the Office of Extramural Affairs and the Epidemiology and Biometry Branch to ensure integration of scientific priorities, operational excellence, and organizational effectiveness.

Duties

The ADR exercises broad executive leadership by advancing strategic priorities, fostering innovation, organizational agility, scientific excellence, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across NIAAA and NIH. The ADR cultivates productive partnerships with HHS agencies, academia, healthcare systems, and industry to accelerate scientific discovery, promote the translation of research into practice, and maximize the public health impact of research on alcohol use disorders. Through visionary leadership and effective coordination of complex scientific initiatives, the ADR helps ensure that research advances improve prevention, treatment, and health outcomes for individuals and communities affected by alcohol-related conditions.

• Establishes the Institute's long-range strategic plan for research.
• Advises the NIAAA Director on emerging scientific opportunities, research policy, strategic investments, and organizational priorities.
• Anticipates emerging scientific trends and develops transformative initiatives that foster scientifically rigorous, innovative, and high-impact research to advance the understanding, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related disorders.
• Ensures that Institute-wide scientific priorities align with NIH strategic objectives, HHS priorities, and evolving public health needs.
• Directs enterprise-wide portfolio analysis and evaluation to ensure scientific excellence, balance, and maximum public health impact.
• Recommends and leads strategic investment decisions that optimize federal resources across competing scientific priorities.
• Identifies research gaps and emerging opportunities requiring Institute-wide initiatives.
• Oversees development of funding strategies, Notices of Funding Opportunities, and targeted research initiatives that advance Institute priorities to ensure alignment with the NIAAA strategic plan to maximize the research enterprise investment.
• Recommends organizational and scientific priorities to Institute leadership based on portfolio analyses, scientific opportunity, and anticipated future needs.
• Provides executive leadership for the Office of Extramural Affairs and the Epidemiology and Biometry Branch by establishing strategic priorities, fostering scientific integration, and ensuring alignment with NIAAA's mission and research objectives. This includes a total of 10 full-time federal employees.
• Leads Institute-wide strategic planning and portfolio assessment activities to identify emerging scientific opportunities, evaluate research trends, and inform future scientific priorities.
• Coordinates scientific planning and cross-cutting initiatives among NIAAA's divisions to promote multidisciplinary collaboration, advance innovative research, and strengthen integration across the Institute's research portfolio.
• Provides strategic advice and recommendations to the NIAAA Director and senior leadership on emerging scientific issues, portfolio direction, and opportunities to enhance the impact of the Institute's research programs.
• Leads the development and coordination of Institute-wide scientific initiatives, funding opportunity concepts, and portfolio analyses to ensure alignment with evolving scientific opportunities and public health priorities.
• Promotes collaboration among NIH Institutes and Centers, Federal agencies, academic institutions, healthcare systems, professional societies, and other research partners to advance shared scientific priorities and accelerate research progress.
• Represents NIAAA in trans-NIH, Federal, and national scientific committees, workgroups, and collaborative initiatives, providing scientific leadership on issues related to alcohol research and associated public health challenges.
• Advances organizational effectiveness by fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and evidence-informed planning that enhances coordination across the Institute's research enterprise and supports high-quality, scientifically rigorous research.

Who Can Apply

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

The NIAAA seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic organization. Applicants must possess an M.D. and/or Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in biomedical science or a directly related scientific field as well as leadership experience in a large and complex research organization, management experience, interpersonal skills, and the ability to engage stakeholders. The ideal candidate should be known and highly respected within their profession, as individuals of outstanding scientific competence and have demonstrated experience in setting, planning, implementing, and analyzing program objectives and priorities including management of financial and human resources. This position will be filled under a Title 42(f) excepted service appointment.

Benefits

The Associate Director for Research will be appointed at a salary commensurate with the selectee’s qualifications and experience, and NIH salary guidelines. Full Federal benefits will be provided, including retirement, health and life insurance, leave, and a savings plan (401(k) equivalent). A recruitment or relocation incentive may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid.

Please read the following guidance on Selective Service requirements.

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

NIH inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles. NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described on the NIH Ethics Program website. We encourage you to review this information. The position is subject to a background investigation and requires the selectee to complete a public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment.

Foreign Education

Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on Foreign Education verification, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)website. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

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

Applicants must submit 1) current Curriculum Vitae, 2) copy of degree, 3) bibliography (if not included in curriculum vitae), and 4) full contact details for three references. Applications will be accepted beginning on August 31, 2026.

Applications will be accepted from U.S. citizens, Legal Permanent Resident and non-citizens who are eligible for a valid work authorization.

Email your complete application package to [email protected] by the closing date noted below. Questions may also be directed to Erin Manor by calling 301-443-0277 or emailing at [email protected]. Applicants are encouraged to browse the NIAAA home page.

All information provided by applicants will remain confidential and will be reviewed only by officials authorized by NIH.

DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTH DATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) ON APPLICATION MATERIALS

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 P.M. ET ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

DHHS AND NIH ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Visit NIH Equal Employment Opportunity site for more information.