Director Implementation Science Jobs in Washington

Are you a top‑level Scientific Researcher or Scientific Administrator seeking a career at one of the preeminent biomedical research institutes in the nation and the world? The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Research (DER).

NICHD is a global leader in research to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. As the Institute's sole scientific division for extramural research, DER manages a broad portfolio of basic, translational, and clinical research spanning conception through adulthood. With an annual budget exceeding $1.2 billion, DER supports approximately 3,100 research projects, including large, complex clinical trial networks focused on high-priority and understudied populations, as well as translational research in diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, regenerative medicine, neuroscience technologies, and implementation science.

The Deputy Director serves as the principal advisor to the Director of DER and shares responsibility for the scientific and administrative leadership of NICHD's extramural research enterprise. This senior executive provides strategic leadership for one of the nation’s largest and broadest biomedical research portfolios while helping define scientific priorities that improve maternal, pediatric, reproductive, and rehabilitative health worldwide.

The Deputy Director will report to the Director, DER and will help direct, coordinate, and manage the Institute's extramural scientific programs across 12 research branches and provide leadership for approximately 100 scientific and administrative staff. The Deputy Director will also establish and oversee two strategic scientific offices:

• Office of Clinical Research, providing leadership for clinical trial operations, human subjects protections, clinical research policy, implementation science, and oversight of complex clinical trial networks.
• Office of Translational Research, providing leadership for drug and device development, SBIR/STTR programs, regulatory science, technology transfer, contracts, and partnerships that accelerate translation of discoveries into clinical practice.

The Deputy Director will help coordinate NIH-wide initiatives and represent NICHD in collaborations across NIH, the Department of Health and Human Services, and national and international organizations. The position also provides executive oversight and coordination for activities supporting the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR), strengthening integration across rehabilitation, translational, and clinical research programs.

As a recognized scientific authority, the Deputy Director will:

• Provide strategic scientific and policy leadership across NICHD's extramural research portfolio.
• Identify emerging scientific opportunities and develop new research initiatives.
• Guide program planning, portfolio management, and funding priorities.
• Foster collaboration across NIH Institutes and Centers and with external scientific organizations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior NIH and HHS leadership on issues related to maternal health, reproductive health, child and adolescent health, therapeutics, device development, rehabilitation research, and implementation science.
• Serve as Acting Director of DER when delegated.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence national and international biomedical research priorities while advancing innovative science that improves the health of women, children, families, and individuals with disabilities around the world.

The NICHD seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic organization.

• Applicants must possess a doctoral degree (e.g., an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) with excellent knowledge of the advanced principles, theories, and practices applicable to medical and scientific areas of basic, translational, and clinical research spanning conception through adulthood, or their associated clinical manifestations.
• The Deputy Director must demonstrate a broad scientific vision, skill in managing complex biomedical research programs, and the ability to support and motivate a multidisciplinary staff. Working in partnership with the Division Director, the Deputy Director will help to assess research needs on a national and international scale, contribute to the development and implementation of strategic research priorities, and assist in planning and overseeing initiatives to advance the NICHD mission.
• The Deputy Director must have a comprehensive understanding of the procedures and policies related to the review, award and management of grants, cooperative agreements, and research contracts, as well as the ability to work with the DER Director who serves as an authority on the development, implementation, management, and analysis of DER’s annual operating and program budget.
• The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader with demonstrated experience in supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation, of program objectives and priorities. The candidate should have demonstrated ability to help manage financial and human resources and coordinate a complex research portfolio involving extensive internal and external collaborations. The candidate should also have experience representing programs and presenting to broad national audiences, including researchers, and the public.

This is a Title 42 position open for US Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, or non‑citizens who are eligible for a valid work authorization.

The DER Deputy Director will be appointed at a salary commensurate with their qualifications and experience. A recruitment or relocation bonus may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid. Full Federal benefits, including leave, health and life insurance, long term care insurance, retirement, and savings plan (401K equivalent) will be provided. The successful candidate is subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factor. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants .

The National Institutes of Health 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.

Applicants who have completed part or all their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. For more information on Foreign Education verification, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.

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. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.

• Full contact details for three references
• Vision statement (not to exceed two pages)
• Statement that addresses the specific qualification requirements (not to exceed two pages)

You may contact Allyson Evans with questions and for more information about this vacancy at Allyson.evans@nih.gov

Last Updated: August 20, 2026