Associate Director, Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP)

Associate Director, Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP)
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS)
Office of the Director
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services

The Person: The NCI is seeking an innovative leader to serve as the Associate Director, Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP) in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), National Cancer Institute (NCI) and reports directly to the Director, DCCPS. The mission of the DCCPS is to provide national and international leadership in supporting research in surveillance, epidemiology, health services, behavioral science, and cancer survivorship with the goal of reducing the burden of cancer in America. EGRP supports research in human populations to understand determinants of cancer occurrence and outcomes and translate findings to clinical and public health interventions. For more information on the division, go to https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/index.html.

The Associate Director, EGRP coordinates the development and implementation of the mission of the EGRP to advance innovative research in human populations to understand determinants of cancer occurrence and outcomes and translate findings to clinical and public health interventions. They establish the scientific and strategic priorities for the program and advance the activities of five unique branches by allocating resources, staff, and assignments. The Associate Director also oversees the large-scale prospective Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts (CECs), a rich resource of data and biospecimen collections from diverse populations, with great potential for innovative research into cancer risks and outcomes following cancer diagnosis. Specifically, the Associate Director, EGRP is responsible for leading EGRP management and operations, including research budget planning and execution, grant portfolio management, and communications; overseeing a $200M research portfolio of approximately 300 grants, as well as interagency agreements, contracts, and numerous partnership initiatives; overseeing the implementation of numerous scientific initiatives in areas including, but not limited to, metabolic dysregulation and cancer risk, new cohorts to assess environmental exposures, patient engagement and cancer genome sequencing, cannabis and cannabinoid use in adult cancer patients during treatment, and climate change; overseeing approximately 45 scientific and administrative staff, supervising 7 staff members directly; and facilitating collaborations including with the NIH Institutes and Centers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and many non-governmental organizations

The Associate Director, EGRP oversees the following five branches:
• Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, which stimulates, promotes, and supports cancer epidemiologic research to identify clinical, genomic, and lifestyle factors that improve outcomes for cancer survivors. The branch also supports research that examines factors associated with cancer development among individuals with underlying diseases and conditions.
• Environmental Epidemiology Branch which promotes and supports epidemiologic research on modifiable risk factors and cancer in diverse populations to inform and advance the prevention and control of cancer.
• Genomic Epidemiology Branch which stimulates and supports epidemiology research in diverse populations to advance scientific knowledge on individuals’ innate susceptibility to cancer to inform prevention and control practices.
• Methods and Technologies Branch which supports innovative cancer epidemiology research, including development and adaptation of laboratory and technical approaches for large studies in human populations.
• Risk Factor Assessment Branch which develops, supports, and stimulates assessment of modifiable risk factors among individuals and diverse populations across the cancer continuum to inform and advance health promotion.

Position Requirements: Applicants must possess a doctoral level degree (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D.) in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of this position and equivalent experience. The candidate must be an experienced scientist with expertise in cancer epidemiology and genomics research to manage innovated epidemiology and genomics research programs in human populations to understand determinants of cancer occurrence and outcomes and translate findings to clinical and public health interventions. The candidate must have expert knowledge of current advances and developments in cancer epidemiology and genomics research to advise NCI leadership on emerging trends and future research. The candidate must have experience collaborating with a broad range of senior medical, scientific and management staff within the NCI and across NIH, other government agencies, academic institutions and the private sector. Of special importance are strategic and scientific vision, leadership skills, and experience in the development and management of cancer epidemiology and genomics research programs and technologies, strong fiscal responsibility, an understanding of new trends in cancer research, awareness of the complex challenges facing epidemiology and genomics research, and the ability to collaborate within and between complex organizations.

Salary/Benefits: This position will be filled under a Title 42 excepted service appointment. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate. A recruitment or relocation bonus may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid. A full package of federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, long term care insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). The successful candidate may be subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure requirements.

Location: Location of the position will be as advertised but may be negotiable with certain participating program areas after selection and an onboarding period. If a remote opportunity is negotiated, the selected individual must adhere to all regulations and policies regarding remote work at NIH and in the federal government, including the signing of a remote work agreement.

How to Apply: Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae, bibliography, and full contact details for three references. In addition, applicants must prepare two statements: a vision statement and a statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements (please limit both statements to two pages each). Apply to the vacancy at https://service.cancer.gov/nci-scss.do#/. NCI will begin accepting applications on March 1, 2023, and plans to have the position open for 30 days.

You may contact Kelly Barch at [email protected] for more information about this vacancy, as well as for questions regarding the general application process.

HHS, NIH and NCI are Equal Opportunity Employers

You may contact Kelly Barch at [email protected] for more information about this vacancy, as well as for questions regarding the general application process.