Physician-Scientist Early Investigator

The Center for Cancer Research (CCR), a division of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), announces its annual call for applications for the Physician-Scientist Early Investigator Program (PEIP), an exciting opportunity for early career physicians dedicated to laboratory bench-to-bedside, health disparities, or clinic-based research. NCI’s largest intramural program offers an unparalleled opportunity to build an independent clinical research program with access to plentiful beds at the world’s largest dedicated research hospital and an extensive clinical infrastructure including protocol and regulatory support, nursing, data management, information technology, shared research resources, and a broad range of scientific and clinical expertise.

Come join a vibrant, multidisciplinary research community featuring flexible funding that supports innovative, high-impact bench-to-bedside research. The PEIP assists board-eligible/board-certified translational researchers transition from a mentored position to that of an independent investigator in research, academia, or comparable positions in government and industry. Potential areas of interest include medical oncology, pediatric hematology-oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, pathology, neuro-oncology, urology, myeloid malignancies, health disparities, and epidemiology and genetics. Program objectives are to provide a mentored research environment for physicians who have dedicated plans for laboratory bench-to-bedside or clinic-based research.

Who We Are 

 Center for Cancer Research is the largest division of the National Cancer Institute’s intramural research program and home to more than 220 research groups led by an extraordinary group of scientists and clinicians exploring the cutting-edge of cancer research. Our scientists enjoy complete intellectual freedom and are expected to explore the most important questions creatively and innovatively in the field of cancer research and treatment. We support projects over a long-time horizon allowing our investigators to pursue some of the most difficult, high-risk problems in the field and the most pressing problems in modern cancer research. CCR is located on two campuses just outside of Washington, D.C. in Bethesda and Frederick, Maryland. CCR’s clinical program is housed at the NIH Clinical Center—the world’s largest hospital dedicated to clinical research. For more information about CCR and its programs, visit https://ccr.cancer.gov.

About the Program 

Selectees will be appointed for a three-year period (with potential options for a fourth and fifth year) at a competitive salary commensurate with subspecialty training and experience. They will be assigned dedicated space, provided with an independent budget including travel and training funds, and given access to an extensive infrastructure including research nursing, data-management support, animal facilities, core services and advanced technologies such as imaging/microscopy, protein chemistry and purification, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, genomics and transgenic and knockout mice. An attractive Federal Government employee benefits package includes health and life insurance coverage, a retirement savings program and relocation expenses. Student loan repayment is possible through the NIH. Program participants must develop a research proposal within the first six months in collaboration with a mentor and complete courses focused on leadership/management skills and writing cancer grant applications. Research progress will be reviewed on an annual basis. For more information on the PEIP, visit https://ccr.cancer.gov/careers/research-faculty/peip.

Eligibility 

Candidates may be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or possess (or be eligible for) an appropriate work visa. Candidates must hold an M.D. degree (or equivalent) and have successfully completed subspecialty training in an oncology-related field. Physician-Scientist Early Investigators must be involved at least 20% of their time in direct patient-related activities. As such, an appointment in the Program is contingent upon holding, or obtaining, the required medical credentials that allow you to be credentialed in the NIH Clinical Center. Selected candidates will be fully trained in an oncology-related medical specialty, have a well-developed research plan, and importantly, fit programmatically into one of the clinical branches of the CCR.

How to Apply 

Applicants must submit a letter of interest that includes a career synopsis, a current curriculum vitae with bibliography, a description of research interests and goals as they relate to the chosen field (2-4 pages), and contact information for three letters of recommendation, with at least one referee from outside of NIH. 

Apply online at https://service.cancer.gov/ccr-careers. Applications will be accepted and reviewed continuously throughout the year. Paper or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Questions may be directed to: ApplyPEIP@mail.nih.gov.