Tenure Track Investigator

Scientists within the Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory conduct basic research to contextualize important biological principles within reproductive and developmental health biology at a fundamental level. They then translate these insights into applied testing systems to inform clinical research and practice.

Reproductive system diseases and dysfunctions are of great public health concern. Many reproductive disorders have unknown etiologies, and environmental factors are likely contributors. Preventing or reducing environmentally associated reproductive disease or dysfunction requires research that clarifies the underlying biological mechanisms and identifies key molecular targets for intervention. Furthermore, environmental exposures can disrupt immune system function, contributing to inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system like endometriosis, ovarian or uterine fibrosis, and reproductive tract cancers, as well as immune-related reproductive disorders like pre-term birth and infertility.

We are now seeking a highly motivated scientist to establish an independent research program to investigate the role of the immune system during pregnancy and/or parturition, and this role's implications on reproductive and long-term health outcomes. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of the following:

1) The immune system's role in the basic mechanisms governing pregnancy establishment, maintenance, and parturition

2) The developmental origins of health and disease, particularly as they are influenced by immune-environment interactions

3) The development and application of human cell-based models to assess how the environment impacts pregnancy and human development.

Our field is a rapidly expanding and has matured sufficiently in its ability to provide reliable models of various developmental processes across various mammalian model systems. Moreover, this line of research has extraordinary utility in support of the NIEHS mission.

The successful candidate is thus expected to lead an innovative, independent research program exploring the mechanisms of reproductive immune responses in a way 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 via generous long-term, continuous support, and are not required to write grants. In exchange, NIH investigators are expected to engage in high-impact research while mentoring students, postdoctoral fellows, and support staff, and collaborate with their colleagues to solve important scientific problems.

Excellent start-up funds, salary, and benefits packages will be provided to the selected applicant, as well as access to state-of-the-art core research facilities and computational resources. The NIEHS specifically 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.

Applicants must possess a Ph.D., M.D. and/or equivalent doctoral degree and at least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience with an outstanding publication record. We will be seeking to identify an exceptional scientist who plans to start an innovative and productive research program.

Incomplete or paper applications will not be accepted or evaluated. Equal Employment Opportunity: The United States Government does not discriminate 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 factor. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants. 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. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. NIH welcomes foreign nationals with the exception of individuals from this list.