What are Scientist Administrators (SA's) at the NIH
The Public Health Service (PHS), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, consists of several agencies, each responsible for administering programs of essential importance to the Nation's health. One of these agencies, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has major responsibilities for conduct and support of state-of-the-art research and associated research training in biomedical, social, and behavioral sciences. Areas of interest include basic research focused on the development of new knowledge in such fields as genetics, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry and biomedical engineering, as well as more targeted research studies focused on the development of new and more effective methods to diagnose, treat, and prevent a host of human health problems ranging from cancer, AIDS, arthritis and heart disease to alcoholism, drug abuse, osteoporosis and psychiatric disorders.
Although a small amount of research training supported by the NIH is performed intramurally, a much larger portion is conducted at universities, medical schools, and other research organizations located throughout the country. Indeed, the NIH devotes more than 80 percent of its annual budget to activities performed by non-Federal Government institutions under grants, fellowships, and R&D contracts.
Responsibility within the NIH for planning, directing, and managing the evaluation for these extramural activities rests with subject matter experts designated as Scientist Administrators (SA's). These individuals, most of whom have had doctorate (Ph.D., M.D., or D.D.S., for example) level training and independent research experience, use their knowledge to assure that Federal funds are used well and wisely. SA’s at NIH are made up of Health Scientist Administrators (HSA’s) and Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrators (SBSA’s). These positions are filled in the 0101 and 0601 occupational series and can serve as either Program Officers or Scientific Review Officers.
What are Program Officers (PO)Â Â
Program Officers support extramural grants, contracts, and training with the goal of improving national health.
Duties include:
- Advise grant applicants/grantees
- Attend scientific review meetings
- Make funding recommendations
- Monitor awarded grants
- Foster specific science through initiatives and meetings
- Engage the public/scientific communities
- Maintain own area of scientific expertise
What are Scientific Review Officers (SRO)
Scientific Review Officers work in partnership with the scientific community to ensure that the scientific review groups (study sections) identify the most meritorious science for funding by NIH Institutes and Centers.
Duties include:
- Refer and review applications
- Order review based on grant mechanism
- Identify and recruit reviewers
- Record scores and produce summary statements
- Convene study section meetings and ensure policies are followed
- Attend Council meetings and handle appeals
Desired Characteristics of SA’s
- Competence in science
- Recognizable accomplishment and career progression in a research activity related to health or biomedical/behavioral sciences; competence in management.
- Ability to communicate effectively, to plan, to initiate, to administer, and to evaluate a scientific program successfully; familiarity with the dynamics of health-related research.
- Understanding not only the internal relationships of the organization with which the research is identified and conducted but also the practices and policies affecting national health research efforts; and ability to work effectively and cooperatively with others.
- Developing and maintaining good working relationships with Initial Review Groups, members of National Advisory Councils and Boards, representatives of academic institutions, the scientific community, public, and private organizations and agencies, and the general public, as well as supervisors, colleagues, and subordinates.
Comparison Chart
0101 Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrator (SBSA) | 0601 Health Scientist Administrator (HSA) | |
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Series | 0101 | 0601 |
Grade Levels | GS-12 to GS-15 – Supervisory and Non-Supervisory | |
Roles | Program Officer or Scientific Review Officer | |
Research/Experience Background |
Social or behavioral science research/experience backgrounds based on the social determinants of health. |
Medical, healthcare, or life science research/experience backgrounds. |
Basic Education/Experience Requirement |
Must have a bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in the behavioral or social sciences, or related disciplines appropriate to this position; OR, have a combination of education and experience that provided the knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field; OR, have four years of appropriate experience demonstrating that you have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. |
Successful completion of a bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree with major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. |
For each grade level there are two paths to qualify: Direct/Independent Research and Research Administration/Extramural experience. Applicants need only meet one of the two experience paths to qualify. | ||
Specialized Experience Requirements in the GS-12 |
Direct/Independent Research Qualifying ExperienceÂ
Typical qualifying positions include Instructor, Assistant Professor, Adjunct Professor, Staff Fellow, Senior Staff Fellow, Research Associate, and Research Scientist. OR Research Administration/Extramural Qualifying Experience
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Specialized Experience Requirements in the GS-13 |
Direct/Independent Research Qualifying ExperienceÂ
Typical qualifying positions include principal investigator (or equivalent), Assistant or Associate Professor, Project Manager, Senior Research Scientist, Section Chief. OR Research Administration/Extramural Qualifying Experience
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Specialized Experience Requirements in the GS-14 |
Direct/Independent Research Qualifying ExperienceÂ
Typical qualifying positions include principal investigator (or equivalent), Associate Professor, Professor, Project Manager, Senior Research Scientist, Section Chief. OR Research Administration/Extramural Qualifying Experience
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Specialized Experience Requirements in the GS-15 |
Direct/Independent Research Qualifying ExperienceÂ
Typical qualifying positions include principal investigator (or equivalent), Associate Typical qualifying positions include Professor and/or Department Chair, Laboratory Chief, Director of Research or equivalent. OR Research Administration/Extramural Qualifying Experience
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