Staff Scientist (multiple vacancies)

A Staff Scientist is a central member of a research team with specialized expertise essential to the laboratory’s work. They work under the Principal Investigator to advance the research program, mentor trainees, and collaborate with NIH staff and the broader scientific community. While they often work independently, they do not receive independent resources.

Eligible candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Science and productive postdoctoral experience as evidenced by relevant accomplishments and a record of primary and collaborative publications in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals. Details for each specific Staff Scientist position are listed below.

1. The Multimodal Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, led by Dr. Keenan Walker, studies neurodegeneration, dementia, and age-related cognitive decline using multi-omic, multimodal neuroimaging and clinical data from human cohort studies. This Staff Scientist will lead integrative analyses of multi-omic and clinical datasets. A Ph.D. in neuroscience, epidemiology, biostatistics, computational biology, or related quantitative fields is required. Expertise in areas such as bioinformatics, statistics, or machine learning is preferred. Vacancy: #NIA-IRP-LBN-26-01.
2. The Magnetic Resonance Physics of Aging and Dementia Unit, led by Dr. Mustapha Bouhrara, investigates the mechanisms of aging and dementia. This Staff Scientist will lead the development of advanced MRI biomarkers to study disease progression and heterogeneity, integrating multi-modal imaging and non-imaging data. Expertise in quantitative MRI across 3T and/or 7T platforms, longitudinal modeling, or large-scale data analysis is highly desirable. A Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, computer science, physics, or a related field is required. Vacancy: #NIA-IRP-LCI-26-02.
3. The Lipid Peroxidation Unit, led by Dr. Christopher Ramsden, studies nutrition and dysfunctional lipid metabolism in age-related diseases like chronic pain and neurodegeneration. The preferred candidate will have expertise in brain lipids, lipid peroxidation, oxylipins, neuroinflammation, pain mediators and pathways, glial biology, dementia, mass spectrometry, clinical trials, manuscript preparation, and mentoring fellows. A Ph.D. in nutritional sciences, lipid biology, biomedical science, or related fields is required. Vacancy: #NIA-IRP-LCI-26-03.
4. The RNA Regulation Section, led by Dr. Myriam Gorospe, studies RNA regulation of gene expression programs in aging physiology and disease. This Staff Scientist will be responsible for performing cutting-edge RNA biology research, such as short-read, long-read, and spatial transcriptomic analyses, in aging paradigms. A Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or related fields is required. Experience in aging-relevant molecular and cellular biology is strongly preferred. Vacancy: #NIA-IRP-LGG-26-04.
5. The Experimental Gerontology Section, led by Dr. Rafael de Cabo, studies longitudinal aging in mice and dietary interventions for healthy aging. This Staff Scientist will lead integrative analysis of phenotypic, physiological, behavioral, pathological, and multi-omics data using bioinformatics, statistical modeling, machine learning, and network analysis. A Ph.D. in biological sciences or related fields is required. Preferably, candidates will be experienced in computational biology and the engineering of large-scale datasets. Vacancy: #NIA-IRP-TGB- 26-05.
6. The Epigenetics and Stem Cell Aging Unit, led by Dr. Isabel Beerman, studies epigenetic changes in aged stem cells. This Staff Scientist will lead integrative multi-omics research on the epigenetic mechanisms of aging and disease, with a focus on tissue-specific stem cells. Preferably, candidates will have experience in single-cell and bulk '-omics' analysis, microbiome and metabolome integration, and the development of web-based bioinformatics tools using R/Python and HPC. A Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, or related fields is required. Vacancy: #NIA-IRP-TGB-26-06.
7. The Confocal Imaging Facility of the Experimental Gerontology Section, led by Dr. Fred Indig and overseen by Dr. Rafael de Cabo, provides support for all NIA imaging needs. This Staff Scientist will lead image-based research on aging and age-related changes, focusing on muscle biology and exercise physiology. The preferred candidate will have specialized expertise in transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence imaging, plus longitudinal and dietary intervention studies and integrative multiomics analysis. A Ph.D. in biology, biomedicine, or related fields is required. Vacancy: #NIA-IRP-TGB-26-07.

Please see above.

This position is subject to a background investigation. DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers. Please see here for information on NIH's EEO program, reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the EEO complaint process. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. NIH welcomes foreign nationals with the exception of individuals from this list.