Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Institute on Aging
Intramural Research Program
Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
Alzheimer and Related Dementia Independent Scholars
(Research Fellow, Principal Investigator)
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), Intramural Research Program (IRP), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has recently established the Alzheimer and Related Dementia Independent Scholars (ARDIS) Program within the Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), located in Bethesda, MD. CARD is a collaborative initiative between the NIA and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) that supports basic, translational, and clinical research on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). CARD’s central mission is to initiate, stimulate, accelerate, and support research that will lead to the development of improved treatments and prevention for these diseases.
The ARDIS Program provides an exciting and well-supported opportunity for early career researchers to transition to an independent investigator position. The ARDIS Program provides early career researchers a term limited independent Principal Investigator (PI) appointment, generous resources, and access to research cores and infrastructure within CARD and the broader NIH IRP. CARD seeks applications for the ARDIS program from highly motivated early career scientists working in the field of AD/ADRD and/or neurodegeneration who have demonstrated experience in collaborative research, a demonstrated ability to work independently, and a strong commitment and vision for building a diverse scientific community. The successful candidate(s) will lead an independent research program that aligns with the scope and mission of CARD. For details of the CARD scientific themes and structural priorities see https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/card.
The successful individual(s) must have a Ph.D. or M.D. in Neuroscience, or related fields, with relevant AD/ADRD or neurodegeneration research experience as evidenced in publications. Preferred candidates will have an enthusiasm for translational science in the related fields. It is essential that the candidates also possess a strong commitment to and evidence of promoting diversity. Candidates must be United States (US) citizens or US permanent residents. Eligible candidates include current NIH Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Research Fellows and non-FTE postdoctoral fellows, as well as candidates from outside the NIH. At the time of application, candidates must have no more than 4 years postdoctoral research experience in total, and internal NIH candidates must have less than 3 years postdoctoral research experience at the NIH IRP.
Scholars in the ARDIS Program will be appointed as Research Fellows (FTE), with a time-limited appointment of three (3) years. ARDIS Scholars will be independent, non-tenure track PIs. They will be scientifically independent from their previous mentor. The selected candidate will be allocated independent resources and will be invited to participate in faculty meetings and other NIA/NINDS activities along with tenure-track and tenured investigators. Scholars will be offered scientific independence, access to technology and expertise, and through the K22 mechanism, opportunities to compete for funding for their future career as a PI. Resources will include a standard operating budget and up to two (2) post-baccalaureate fellows or other time-limited technical staff (non-FTE) positions. Although ARDIS Scholars will be supervised by the CARD Director, they will interact with scientists from the IRP and the scientific community at large and will independently manage their resources to conduct original research.
Salary is commensurate with research experience and accomplishments. A full Civil Service package of benefits (including retirement, health and life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan participation, etc.) is available. All employees of the Federal Government are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct. Additional information regarding CARD is available at the following website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/card.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be reviewed on the 1st business day of each month. For application instructions, please visit https://card.nih.gov/job-training-opportunities/alzheimers-dementias-scholars-program. For questions, please contact Sarah Lewis, Supervisory Management Analyst; Office of the Scientific Director, National Institute on Aging; referencing Vacancy #CARD-23-04-SL by email at cardjobs@mail.nih.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.