Branch Director, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, NCI-DCEG

Review begins: January 4, 2024

The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) of the National Cancer Institute is recruiting a visionary senior investigator to serve as Director of the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch (OEEB) within DCEG’s Trans-Divisional Research Program (TDRP). The position of Branch Director is equivalent to that of an academic department chair.

OEEB conducts studies in the United States and abroad to identify and evaluate environmental and workplace exposures that may be associated with cancer risk. OEEB's mission is to combine epidemiology, quantitative exposure assessment, and molecular components that incorporate a full range of biomarkers into multidisciplinary studies to provide insight into cancer etiology, chemical carcinogenesis, and mechanisms of action. OEEB’s main research areas include industrial and occupational exposures, environmental exposures, and exposure assessment methods. OEEB also plays an important role in training future researchers, as well as responding to and meeting the needs of the public, Congress, and other government agencies for research on urgent questions concerning occupational and environmental exposures and cancer risks and communicating knowledge about occupational and environmental epidemiology. OEEB currently includes: nine senior investigators, three tenure-track investigators, five staff scientists, two industrial hygienists, ten postdoctoral fellows, eight postbaccalaureate fellows, and two administrative staff. For an overview of OEEB, please visit Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch - Overview - NCI (cancer.gov). Research in OEEB, which is one of the eight branches/laboratories that is under TDRP, is closely aligned with the DCEG Strategic Plan.

The Branch Director will shape the research direction of OEEB and oversee all aspects of its development, including recruitment of faculty. Resources available to OEEB include epidemiologic studies with detailed occupational exposure data (e.g., diesel exhaust, benzene, benzidine, lead, trichloroethylene, acrylonitrile, organochlorines, formaldehyde, pesticides (e.g., glyphosate, atrazine, permethrin, 2,4,5-T)) and well-characterized general environmental exposures (e.g., outdoor ambient ultrafine particulates, PM_2.5, indoor coal combustion products, dioxin, drinking water contaminants (nitrates, disinfection byproducts, arsenic), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, ethylene oxide); access to biorepositories for processing and storage of biospecimens; core laboratory facilities for genotyping, sequencing, and molecular/digital pathology services; and contract support for conducting field studies and computer programming for epidemiologic studies. OEEB also has a wide range of intramural and extramural laboratory collaborators that ensures access to state-of-the-art methods for the analysis of biological samples from its cross-sectional, case-control, and prospective studies. In addition to managing these resources, the Branch Director oversees the administrative management of the Branch, supervises staff members, and mentors investigators and fellows. Other duties include providing consultation to national and international investigators and public health officials and acting as liaison with agencies and organizations seeking expertise related to the mission of the Branch. The Branch Director will also have resources to conduct an independent program of world-class research. The Branch Director will undergo quadrennial review as an individual investigator and as the Director by the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors.

Required Qualifications: The successful candidate will be expected to lead a world-class research portfolio and have extensive expertise in occupational and environmental cancer epidemiology, with a strong emphasis on molecular epidemiology. The successful candidate must:

• Possess either a doctoral degree or medical degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., epidemiology; occupational and environmental health; or related fields).
• Have a proven track record of scientific excellence at the international level, with a robust publication history in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presentations at scientific meetings, participation in consortial research, and international recognition of their research contributions.
• Meet the criteria for NIH tenure.
• Demonstrate administrative experience, including successful mentoring, supervision, and scientific management.
• Exhibit a deep commitment to promoting a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Benefits: Appointees may be US citizens, permanent US residents, or non-residents of the US with or eligible to obtain a valid employment-authorized visa. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate. A recruitment or relocation bonus may be available, and relocation expenses may be paid. A full package of federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, long term care insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). The successful candidate is subject to a background investigation.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter, including career synopsis.
• Vision statement that includes the candidate’s vision for leading OEEB and qualification statement that addresses the specific required qualifications, including leadership and administrative experience. Please limit these statements to two pages each.
• A current curriculum vitae and complete bibliography with a ResearcherID, ORCID, or similar unique identifier to support citation analysis.
• Diversity statement that includes a description of mentoring and outreach activities, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic and other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research. Please limit this statement to two pages.
• Full contact details for three references.

Submit applications electronically to NIH SCSS (cancer.gov). Applications received by January 4, 2024 will be considered for a first round of interviews, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

You may contact Dr. Hannah Yang at yanghan@nih.gov for more information about this vacancy.