Seeking Applied Behavioral Scientist to Join the National Institute on Aging

The Individual Behavioral Processes Branch (IBP) in the Division of Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is recruiting a dynamic and experienced psychological or behavioral scientist with academic training and expertise related to behavioral medicine, mechanisms of behavior change, and the design and conduct of behavioral and/or community interventions.

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the implementation of a research agenda to advance the next generation of interventions for healthy aging, with a particular focus on translating recent advances in use-inspired basic behavioral science. Applicants should have experience working at the intersection of behavioral, social and biomedical sciences, e.g. psychology, economics, neuroscience, medicine, genetics, epidemiology, or sociology/demography.  Prior experience in aging research is not required.

The NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers at NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. The Division of Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) supports social, behavioral, and economic research and research training on the processes of aging at both the individual and societal level. BSR fosters cross-disciplinary research, at multiple levels from genetics to cross-national comparative research, and at stages from basic through translational.  The IBP branch supports research and training on health and behavior, cognitive and emotional functioning, technology and human factors, and integrative approaches to the study of social, psychological, genetic and physiological influences on health and well-being over the full life course, with emphasis on midlife and older age, and on early life (including prenatal) influences on later life outcomes. To learn more about BSR, please visit:  http://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dbsr.

Psychological and behavioral scientists in NIA/BSR enjoy a scientifically energizing and collegial environment with ample opportunities to develop research and funding initiatives; cultivate a diverse portfolio of grant-supported research;  lead and participate in transdisciplinary research collaborations among public, private, and academic stakeholders; and,  develop national and international scientific programming (e.g., symposia, special journal issues and supplements, conferences, and workshops).

Psychological/behavioral scientists are encouraged to engage in independent or collaborative research, present findings at scientific meetings, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals. It is possible to devote up to 20% of one’s time to research. 

NIA is recruiting at the junior and senior academic levels. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. and substantial research training in psychological and biobehavioral sciences and/or related fields. Candidates with strong writing, communication and interpersonal skills are sought.

The work site is the Washington, D.C. suburb of Bethesda, Maryland. Salaries will be competitive and commensurate with experience; excellent benefits will be provided.  All applicants will receive consideration without regard to ethnicity, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

To express your interest, send the following documents by electronic mail to Farheen Akbar (farheen.akbar@nih.gov ):

·         Cover letter describing your expertise and interest in directing a behavioral science research program at the NIA;

·         Curriculum vitae, including professional references; and,

·         One first-authored journal publication relevant to the expertise sought in this announcement.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a pre-announcement of the vacancy.  A formal position announcement will be posted on www.usajobs.gov and applications must be submitted through that website to be considered.  Please check that website regularly for updated postings, as positions are only open for 10 days. 

For additional information contact:

Lisbeth Nielsen, PhD 

Chief, Individual Behavioral Processes Branch/BSR/NIA/NIH

Phone: (301) 402-4156; Email: nielsenli@nia.nih.gov