Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH's budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research.

Duties

As a Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrator (Scientific Review Officer), you will take on a challenging, rewarding role with a direct opportunity to advance the mission of the NIH through stimulating, planning, advising, directing, and evaluating program activities for a portfolio of research projects and programs. Serving as a Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrator (SRO) with responsibility in providing policy direction and coordination for the planning and execution of initial scientific and technical review. Utilizing scientific knowledge and expertise to perform a variety of management functions associated with the scientific peer review of research and research training support activities and other contract activities. Managing the initial scientific and administrative review of grant, program project grant, and training grant applications as well as research project applications submitted in response to requests for applications. Appointing and managing review panels, including the identification of reviewers to evaluate all applications and proposals, to assemble a balanced group of experts and consultants. Establishing the criteria and standards for the review panel to follow based upon expert knowledge of the relevant scientific fields, program review policies and procedures. Providing information to the consultants on each committee assembled as a basis for reviewing and evaluating grant applications, contract proposals; collects and provides essential information for committee members. Preparing summary statements of review committee findings and recommendations for use by the advisory committee; attends committee meeting and responds to impromptu questions related to the review of the assigned application. Acting as the sole Federal official and agency representative by guiding the activities of a review committee and ensuring continuity in their approach toward evaluating applications, proposals, and adherence to peer review policies and procedures. As a Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), you will take on a challenging, rewarding role with a direct opportunity to advance the mission of the NIH through providing advice in program planning, solicitation, and evaluation to perform day-to-day administrative functions related to research grants and interagency agreements supporting research projects in your assigned area. Providing technical leadership and guidance in a major subject-matter area while coordinating the review activities of the Office of Extramural Research Grants Review Committee and Special Emphasis Panels. Evaluating the availability and level of resources that can be applied to program area needs and stimulating interest in projects and special activities through communication with the social science community. Identifying opportunities and problem areas, research gaps and relevant program needs and making recommendations to the Branch Chief. Organizing and conducting discussions with social science and/or behavioral researchers concerning an overall agenda for the assigned program area. Providing suggested recommendations concerning program direction, priorities and funding levels for areas of responsibility. Performing scientific and administrative reviews and analyzing of applications/proposals from a programmatic viewpoint. Preparing information for and attending advisory/review committee/panel meetings and responds to issues and concerns about specific applications/proposals pertaining to assigned program area. Consulting with and advising grantees/contractors during preparation of applications/proposals and provides guidance on program issues. Collaborating with other Branch and Division staff and NIH staff offices, as required. Organizing and conducting workshops, conferences, symposia or similar activities to foster the aims of the Branch and the Division. Visiting universities, research institutions, commercial organizations, other Government agencies, and public and private organizations. Facilitating communication and collaborative efforts with other Institute components, other ICs, and other DHHS agencies in assigned area of responsibility. While not required, a post-baccalaureate degree (e.g., Ph.D.) or advanced training in an academic field related to the social or behavioral sciences is preferred. See Qualifications section for position requirements. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Applicants for all grades must meet the requirements described in paragraphs A, B or C below: A. have a bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in the behavioral or social sciences, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. OR B. have a combination of education and experience that provided you with the knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR C. have four years of appropriate experience demonstrating that you have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. AND GS-12: In addition to the education requirements to qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. This experience must meet either the Direct/Independent Research or the Research Administration/Extramural sections below. A. Direct/Independent Research Qualifying Experience - Applicants must meet all experience requirements in this section: independent health-related research, as evidenced by the development of research projects that are competitively or internally funded; primary authorship of one of the following: a) internal (i.e., within the company or organization) research report, b) patent, or c) research publication in peer reviewed journal; and responsibility for significant aspects of a laboratory/research unit (e.g., establishing processes and procedures, ensuring regulatory/legal compliance, monitoring budgets). B. Research Administration/Extramural Qualifying Experience - Applicants must meet all experience requirements in this section: review grant applications, contract proposals, or other research-related works and materials for compliance with requirements and appropriateness; apply scientific knowledge to place the proposed research project in its relation to the current state of research being done in the subject matter area and the organization's priorities; and respond to issues and concerns about specific applications or proposals pertaining to assigned program areas. GS-13: In addition to the education requirements, to qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. This experience must meet either the Direct/Independent Research or the Research Administration/Extramural sections below. A. Direct/Independent Research Qualifying Experience - Applicants must meet all experience requirements in this section: manage of independent health-related research projects (e.g., R01 grant, R01 equivalent grant or contract, or comparable project) with a defined budget and staff supervise or led graduate researchers/technicians; serve as primary or corresponding author on publications in refereed journals, presenting published work to scientific organizations, and/or teaching graduate-level courses in biomedical or health-related disciplines; and serve as a reviewer on peer-reviewed panels or journals. B. Research Administration/Extramural Qualifying Experience - Applicants must meet at least three (3) experience requirements in this section: summarize the results of the scientific or technical merit review of grant applications or contract proposals; assess the scientific and/or technical progress of awarded grants and/or contracts to determine effectiveness of support and achievement of objectives; evaluate assigned program portfolios to identify new concepts, programs, or initiatives to support program planning and administrative functioning in relation to an organization's priorities; formulate and develop new Funding Opportunity Announcements or Program Announcements (e.g., RFAs, RFPs, or a combination of these) to achieve objectives; administer the review of grant applications, contract proposals, research project applications or research reports submitted in response to requests for applications, multicenter clinical trial applications, and contract proposals. GS-14: In addition to the education requirements, to qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. This experience must meet either the Direct/Independent Research or the Research Administration/Extramural sections below: A. Direct/Independent Research Qualifying Experience - Applicants must meet all experience requirements in this section: direct at least two concurrent health-related research projects (e.g., R01 grant, R01 equivalent grant or contract, or comparable project) with separate staff and budgets; experience demonstrating extensive scientific expertise by providing leadership, guidance, and direction to researchers; coordinate committee and teaching activities and organized and presented sessions at national scientific meetings/conferences; and serve as an appointed member of a scientific peer review panel or editorial board, or similar private sector leadership position. OR B. Research Administration/Extramural Qualifying Experience - Applicants must meet at least three (3) experience requirements in this section: organize and conducted workshops, conferences, symposia, or similar activities to foster the aims of the program, to facilitate communication among investigators, or to advise on the status of progress and emerging directions of research in the assigned program area; evaluate program activities for a portfolio of research projects, research programs, other grants/awards, cooperative agreements, and/or contracts in the assigned program area to support an organization's program planning and priority setting; recommend funding plans for initiatives and/or establish the criteria and standards for a review panel; manage the initial scientific and administrative review of grant applications and/or center grant, program project grant, and training grant applications; appoint and manage review panels to include identifying qualified expert Reviewers; establish the evaluation criteria used to assess all applications and proposals. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Preview assessment questionnaire before you applyhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12043669

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Contacts

• Address National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Dr Bethesda, MD 20892 US
• Name: Jared Welsh
• Phone: 301-402-3017
• Email: [email protected]