Job Summary
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, Center for Clinical Trials Network (CCTN). NIDA's mission is to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug misuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first is the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination of research results to improve practice and inform policy related to drug misuse and addiction. CCTN’s mission is to bridge the gap between addiction science and addiction clinical care; establish bi-directional conversation between scientists and providers; enhance the adoptability of evidence-based treatment; and improve the nation’s substance use disorder (SUD) treatment using science as the vehicle.
The Director for the Center for Clinical Trials Network (CCTN) provides scientific executive leadership and direction for a complex extramural clinical research program of national and international scope within NIDA and oversees all aspects of the Center's clinical research and clinical trials. The CCTN Director is one of the top five senior leadership positions that directly reports to and advises the NIDA Director.
The CCTN Director administers the scientific, administrative, budgetary, and operational management of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN). The CTN is a program of multi-site clinical trials evaluating behavioral, pharmacological, and integrated treatment interventions to determine their effectiveness across a broad range of community-based treatment settings and diversified patient populations. CTN has a multifaceted programmatic framework that currently comprises 16 Nodes spanning the country, a Clinical Coordinating Center, and a Data and Statistics Center. CTN Node staff include principal investigators and co-investigators from 82 institutions, and more than 200 community-based providers representing hospitals, clinics, treatment centers, and private practices. CTN has an annual budget of $72M which includes a contracts portfolio totaling $23M per year for additional professional staff to provide the requisite infrastructure and resources for conducting clinical research.
The Director of the CCTN has line authority of up to 15 scientific professionals with the multi-disciplinary training and experience required to oversee and manage a broad portfolio of clinical trials and other clinical research. As the CTN serves as a national resource, the CCTN Director interacts with NIDA division directors and represents NIDA in NIH-wide activities relevant to clinical research; establishes collaborative relationships with other sister HHS agencies, e.g. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), etc. on regulatory and/or science implementation issues; and interacts with other experts in the field, e.g., the Directors of Drug and Alcohol Single State Agencies and their constituent association, presidents and executive directors of professional organizations, and senior scientists and managers of the pharmaceutical and healthcare device industries.
Required Qualifications
The National Institute on Drug Abuse seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic and diverse organization. Applicants must possess an M.D., and/or Ph.D. degree in a discipline relevant to neurobiology, substance use disorders, or clinical trials, and have extensive knowledge and experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of large multi-site clinical trials. Highly developed management skills, exceptional communication skills, and strong multi-dimensional leadership skills in administering large complex scientific research programs/organizations are greatly desirable. The successful candidate must also have knowledge and experience with regulatory requirements pertaining to interactions with FDA, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other federal agencies, serving on national boards or advisory groups, preparing materials for briefings, hearings, or reports to senior management or trans-agency groups, and presenting at national or international meetings relevant to clinical trials, SUD treatment, and policies surrounding these areas. This position will be filled under a Title 42 (f) excepted service appointment.
Benefits
Salary will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate. A full package of Federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, annual and sick leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). A recruitment and/or relocation incentive may be available and relocation expenses will be paid. At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer workplace flexibilities, including situational telework.
Please read the following guidance on Selective Service requirements.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, with no discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization, The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure
The 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 at the NIH Ethics Website. We encourage you to review this information. The position is subject to a background investigation and requires the incumbent to complete a public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment and be approved by the NIH Ethics Office.
Foreign Education
Applicants who have completed part, or all, of their education outside the United States must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited institutions in the United States. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on foreign education verification, visit the https://www.naces.org 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.
If selected, you will be subject to a two-year trial period under this appointment.
Reasonable Accommodation
NIH provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at NIDACCTNSearch@nida.nih.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.