Description

The Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory (IIDL) within the Division of Intramural Research of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is recruiting a Tenure-Track Investigator. Scientists within the IIDL (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/iidl/index.cfm) investigate the fundamental mechanisms by which immune and inflammatory responses are triggered and regulated in the lung and other organs and contribute to disease, with a particular focus on asthma, host defense/innate immunity, lung fibrosis, and cardiovascular disease. As can be seen from our work, we study a broad range of environmental stimuli. In addition to building upon our strengths, areas of special interest for future growth of IIDL include: (i) immunometabolism (programming of the immune response by changes in cellular metabolic pathways); (ii) mucosal immunity (lung, gut, other) including the heterogeneity, ontogeny, and/or function of immune, epithelial, and stromal tissue-resident cells; and (iii) systems biology of the immune response. However, we enthusiastically welcome applications from outstanding scientists in all fields of immunology.

IIDL Investigators make use of cell, rodent, and human models (including peripheral blood immune cells collected in our Clinical Research Unit) to study how immune mechanisms impact human health. Robust collaborations with academia, industry, and other departments at NIEHS, including our colleagues studying signal transduction, epigenetics, neurobiology, and reproductive biology (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/index.cfm) enhance synergistic research. In addition, IIDL Investigators leverage vast technical support, including numerous world-class core facilities (e.g., metabolomics, proteomics, next-gen sequencing, FACS/mass cytometry, cryo-EM, imaging, bioinformatics) (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/facilities/index.cfm).  The Personalized Environment and Genes Study (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/clinical/studies/pegs/index.cfm), which has whole-exome sequencing on thousands of local research participants in North Carolina, also facilitates exciting studies of human immune response and disease by genotype.  

The successful candidate is expected to lead an innovative, independent research program exploring the mechanism of immune responses that enhances our understanding of the effects of the environment on human health. Investigators in the NIH intramural program have no formal teaching duties and minimal administrative responsibilities. They are funded internally (no grant-writing required) with the potential for generous long-term continuous support. In exchange, they are expected to engage in high-impact research with students, postdoctoral fellows and support staff, and collaborations with their colleagues to solve important scientific problems related to the Institute's mission. Excellent start-up funds, salary, and benefits packages will be provided to the selected applicant. The NIEHS is located in the Research Triangle Park, a world-renowned academic research center in North Carolina well-known for its high quality of life and its proximity to top-tier universities.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a Ph.D., M.D. and/or equivalent doctoral degree with at least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience in their field and an outstanding publication record. The emphasis will be on identifying an exceptional scientist with an innovative and productive research program. Applications from women and under-represented minorities are strongly encouraged. Appointees may be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or non-residents of the U.S. with, or eligible to obtain, a valid employment-authorization visa.

Salary/Benefits:

The successful candidate for this position will be appointed at a salary commensurate with experience and accomplishments with full federal benefits, including leave, health and life insurance, retirement, and savings plan (401K equivalent).

How to Apply:

Review of applications will begin on May 8, 2023.  Interested candidates should submit materials as one combined PDF via email to Bonnie Earnhardt at int-appls@niehs.nih.gov. All emails should include vacancy number AC1560 in the subject line. 

A complete application package must include:

• Cover Letter
• Full Curriculum Vitae with Bibliography
• Research Statement (Please include a 3–4-page description of your past accomplishments and your future research goals.)
• One-page Diversity Statement. Please include a description of your mentoring and outreach activities, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research, and your commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

In addition, you must arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to int-appls@niehs.nih.gov. Letters should be on official letterhead when possible and signed. Referees must include the applicant’s name and vacancy number AC1560 in the email subject line.  Incomplete or paper applications will not be accepted or evaluated.

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Michael Fessler at fesslerm@niehs.nih.gov.  Review of applications will begin on May 8, 2023, and the search will be closed once the position is filled. 

Commitment to Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity:

The NIH/NIEHS encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The United States Government prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. NIH/NIEHS will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities as appropriate. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us.

Foreign Education:

Applicants who have completed part or all of 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 United States. 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 https://www.naces.org/. Verification must be received prior to the effective date of the appointment.

Reasonable Accommodation:

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.

The NIH is the premier biomedical research center for the world. Its 27 institutes and centers employ more than 18,000 employees doing a vast array of jobs, all supporting efforts for a healthy nation. For information about the NIH mission, goals and institutes and centers, visit https://www.nih.gov/about-nih.

DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTH DATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) ON APPLICATION MATERIALS.

DHHS AND NIH ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS