Staff Scientist 1 (Section on Affective Neuroscience and Pain)

Application Deadline: April 4, 2024

Program Overview

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) invites applications for a staff scientist focused on neuroimaging methods and analysis, with a particular focus on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The successful candidate will work with the Section on Affective Neuroscience and Pain (SANP; Principal Investigator Lauren Atlas, Ph.D.) as part of a growing research program focused on identifying brain mechanisms underlying psychological modulation of pain and emotion in health and disease. SANP is part of NCCIH’s Division of Intramural Research and affiliated with the Intramural Research Programs of the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). 

The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and fellows to advance SANP’s research program through data acquisition, data analysis and curation, and mentorship of trainees. Ongoing projects examine relationships between pain and emotion, how expectations shape learning and pain, and how social factors shape clinical outcomes. Projects are multimodal, integrating fMRI, psychophysiology, and pharmacological methodologies. In addition to supporting lab members and ongoing studies, the staff scientist can develop and lead independent projects in collaboration with the Principal Investigator. Upcoming projects will incorporate high field imaging (7T-fMRI), simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET)-MRI, and/or magnetoencephalography (MEG). SANP is fully funded, with dedicated weekly scan time on 3T and 7T scanners and multiple options for high-performance computing. 

The NCCIH intramural research program is located on the Bethesda campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within one of the most active neuroscience communities in the world (neuroscience.nih.gov). The position offers the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s foremost fMRI and statistics experts and to take part in regular campus-wide seminars and workshops, including regular meetings on machine learning, fMRI methods, and pain neuroscience. The NIH Clinical Center offers exceptional multidisciplinary research facilities, including structural and functional MRI, MEG, PET, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). 

For complete information, see https://www.nccih.nih.gov/about/jobs/staff-scientist-1-section-on-affective-neuroscience-and-pain

How To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest including a brief description of their research and experience related to the position; a separate statement describing the mentoring and outreach activities in which they have been involved, especially those involving women and persons from racial/ethnic or other groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research; a curriculum vitae (CV) and bibliography; and two letters of recommendation from references familiar with their expertise and research experience. 

Send application packages to Ms. Christina Moon at NCCIHJobs@mail.nih.gov. Please include in the subject line: “NCCIH—SANP Staff Scientist 1 Application [insert your name].” Questions should be directed to Ms. Christina Moon at the same email address.

Applications will be accepted beginning February 5, 2024, and they must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 4, 2024, for consideration in the review period. Review of applications will begin on or about April 4, 2024. Should no suitable candidates be selected during this period, the position will remain open until filled. This position is subject to a background check.

NIH and NCCIH are committed to building a diverse workforce and promoting an inclusive environment. The Department of Health and Human Services and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.