Job Vacancy Announcement - Social and Behavioral Sciences Administrator/Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), Division of Services and Intervention Research, Disparities in Mental Health Services Research Program

Division of Services and Intervention Research   
Disparities in Mental Health Services Research Program

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is committed to supporting research that reduces disparities and advances equity in mental health interventions, services, and outcomes. The NIMH Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology Branch (SRCEB) in the Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR) seeks a motivated and experienced health services researcher to develop and manage a portfolio of innovative grant-supported research to understand and eliminate mental health disparities in minority, marginalized, and vulnerable populations, across a range of treatment settings.

DSIR offers a stimulating and collegial work environment with opportunities to influence mental health research priorities, develop new research initiatives, and contribute to advancing a national program of health services research. General responsibilities for Program Officers in SRCEB include administering and managing a portfolio of extramural research grants; collaborating with researchers and Program Officers from related scientific programs within NIMH, NIH, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other public and private funding agencies; and communicating SRCEB research priorities via outreach to the scientific community (e.g., conference presentations, workshops, and special journal issues).

The successful candidate will have primary responsibility for developing and managing a portfolio of research grants in the disparities research arena, including social, behavioral, cultural, and environmental determinants of health that affect the availability, delivery, quality, and effectiveness of mental health services. Research topics include (1) identifying mutable factors that influence disparities in mental health services, particularly across special populations such as racial, ethnic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, members of sexual and gender minority communities, women and children, and persons living in rural and frontier areas; (2) testing innovative service delivery models, including multilevel interventions, that target mutable factors to reduce or eliminate known health disparities and improve access, continuity, value, and equity of mental health care; and (3) evaluating implementation strategies for evidence-based mental health services in non-specialty settings (e.g., criminal justice system, child welfare system, social service agencies, federally qualified health centers, and academic settings including schools, community colleges, and universities).

The goal of the Disparities in Mental Health Services Research Program is to expand understanding of the social, behavioral, cultural, and environmental health determinants which lead to disparities in service use, delivery, and outcomes, providing mechanistic insights that will lead to interventions that can reduce these disparities and achieve mental health equity and enhanced quality of life for all populations. The portfolio features research utilizing large data sets (e.g., administrative, claims, or electronic health record data), quasi-experimental techniques to evaluate “natural experiments” in mental health service delivery, comparative effectiveness trials, mixed methods approaches, and hybrid effectiveness-implementation designs.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (e.g., M.D., DSW, Sc.D) from an accredited college or university, with graduate training in health services research, intervention science, or policy research. Experience in the conduct of research or research management and data-based publications in the science of health disparities, are required. Prior experience in mental health disparities research is ideal. Strong organizational, oral, writing, and communication skills are required. Experience with the grants process is preferable. The successful candidate is subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure requirements.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. HHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. The work site is in Rockville, Maryland. A full package of federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. 

How to Apply

A global Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer/Scientific Review Officer) announcement will be available through www.usajobs.gov from September 18, 2023 through September 27, 2023. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to also send a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to NIMHsearch@mail.nih.gov. Visit the NIH Federal Resume Tips website for guidance on creating a federal resume at https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/how-apply/tips-writing-federal-resume. 

HHS 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.