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The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) together with the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), are recruiting for an Animal Program Director to direct the AAALAC accredited Animal Care Programs within their Intramural Research Programs (IRP). The position is also that of a Staff Scientist/Facility Head, directly employed by the Federal Government. Research supported by the Animal Care Program focuses on three core areas: (1) fundamental brain mechanisms related to cognition and behavior, and novel means of manipulating those mechanisms and associated brain circuitry to advance understanding of and treatments for psychiatric disorders; (2) mechanisms of ocular congenital, degenerative, and inflammatory diseases and their treatments using small molecules, biologics, and cell and gene therapies; and (3) fundamental eye and brain mechanisms of visual system function. Primary responsibilities of the Director will include serving as a partner in and facilitator of the research enterprise within the IRP; providing oversight of operations; ensuring that appropriate quality standards are maintained in animal care, facilities, equipment, animal housing, and personnel management in compliance with federal regulations and policies; and playing an active role in the development, oversight, and delivery of animal user training. The incumbent will serve as Animal Program Director for NIMH and NEI with responsibility for maintaining AAALAC accreditation; will represent NIMH and NEI on the NIH Animal Program Directors Committee; and will serve as Attending Veterinarian on NIMH's and NEI’s IACUCs.

The successful candidate must be committed to fostering scientific excellence and highly collaborative research in his/her leadership of the animal programs. Minimum qualifications include a DVM/VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited or approved college of veterinary medicine and a current license to practice veterinary medicine in any U.S. state. Board certification by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) is preferred. In addition, applicants must demonstrate experience and knowledge commensurate with management and operation of an AAALAC-accredited animal care program of similar magnitude and complexity, including experience meeting all regulations and policies pertaining to animal care and use. Applicants will ideally possess a successful track record of maintaining healthy research and breeding colonies of New World and Old World nonhuman primates, and of maintaining healthy research colonies of pigs, rodents, zebrafish and reptiles. The ideal candidate will also have experience supporting state-of-the-art visual oculomotor and visual neuroscience research, including single-cell and high-channel count neuronal recording, aseptic neurosurgical procedures, modern imaging methods, and viral techniques for manipulating brain function.  In addition, applicants must possess the ability to analyze, prioritize and delegate resources while managing multiple projects. Expertise and experience should include demonstration of positive and collegial interactions with staff at all levels and with scientific staff to promote and facilitate their research and scholarly contributions.

Appointees may be U.S. citizens, resident aliens, or non-resident aliens with, or eligible to obtain, a valid employment authorization visa. Applicants must submit: (1) a Curriculum Vitae including bibliography (no mini-CV or biosketch) and examples of scientific recognition (e.g. awards, honors, and outside activities); (2) a two-page (single spaced) summary of experience; (3) contact information for three professional references; and (4) an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement (not to exceed 2 pages, single spaced) that describes mentoring, teaching, or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse population of women, individuals from racial/ethnic minorities, and other groups who are underrepresented in biomedical research.

Please email application materials to Susan G. Amara, Ph.D., National Institute of Mental Health, c/o Stephanie Jones via email to: stephanie.jones@nih.gov

Applications will be accepted January 1, 2022 with evaluations beginning Feburary1,2022 we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

For additional information, you may contact: Dr. Elisabeth Murray, Search Committee Chair and Senior Investigator, NIMH, murraye@mail.nih.gov

“As a condition of employment, all federal employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-
19. During the onboarding process, if selected, you must provide proof of vaccination. An official job offer and continued employment is contingent on this requirement. For more information on this requirement, visit the Safer Federal Workforce page on vaccines. If you need a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Vaccines.gov.”

DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers.
The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs and encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

The successful candidate must be committed to fostering scientific excellence and highly collaborative research in his/her leadership of the animal programs. Minimum qualifications include a DVM/VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited or approved college of veterinary medicine and a current license to practice veterinary medicine in any U.S. state. Board certification by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) is preferred. In addition, applicants must demonstrate experience and knowledge commensurate with management and operation of an AAALAC-accredited animal care program of similar magnitude and complexity, including experience meeting all regulations and policies pertaining to animal care and use. Applicants will ideally possess a successful track record of maintaining healthy research and breeding colonies of New World and Old World nonhuman primates, and of maintaining healthy research colonies of pigs, rodents, zebrafish and reptiles. The ideal candidate will also have experience supporting state-of-the-art visual oculomotor and visual neuroscience research, including single-cell and high-channel count neuronal recording, aseptic neurosurgical procedures, modern imaging methods, and viral techniques for manipulating brain function.
In addition, applicants must possess the ability to analyze, prioritize and delegate resources while managing multiple projects. Expertise and experience should include demonstration of positive and collegial interactions with staff at all levels and with scientific staff to promote and facilitate their research and scholarly contributions.

Appointees may be U.S. citizens, resident aliens, or non-resident aliens with, or eligible to obtain, a valid employment authorization visa. Applicants must submit: (1) a Curriculum Vitae including bibliography (no mini-CV or biosketch) and examples of scientific recognition (e.g. awards, honors, and outside activities); (2) a two-page (single spaced) summary of experience; (3) contact information for three professional references; and (4) an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement (not to exceed 2 pages, single spaced) that describes mentoring, teaching, or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse population of women, individuals from racial/ethnic minorities, and other groups who are underrepresented in biomedical research.