Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the largest research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), seeks a senior scientist to serve as Director for the Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS) in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS). The division provides national scientific leadership and oversight of NCI-funded research in the areas of cancer epidemiology, surveillance, healthcare delivery, survivorship, and behavioral science. DCCPS is also committed to addressing health disparities through transdisciplinary research.

This challenging and highly visible position requires broad scientific expertise, a passion for public service, commitment to collaboration, and an ability to develop effective strategies to identify gaps in research and overcome barriers to scientific progress. Exploiting scientific opportunities requires visionary leadership and sound scientific judgment to ensure the greatest payoff from NCI’s investments. Therefore, a broad perspective on population sciences that informs development of creative and cost-effective strategies to advance research and its implementation in real-world practice is essential.

The OCS Director will lead and manage the Office that is part of the DCCPS Office of the Director, and the trans-divisional program in cancer survivorship research at NCI. Established by NCI in 1996 as a result of an executive order signed by President Clinton, the OCS was created in recognition of the growing number of cancer survivors and the need for more research to better understand and meet their unique needs. The overall mission of the OCS is to extend the length and quality of survival of all those diagnosed with cancer and their families. The OCS plans, directs, and coordinates an institute-wide, multifaceted program on cancer survivorship; develops, directs, and coordinates an extramural portfolio of research on cancer survivors, including the medical, psychological, and economic late effects of treatment; plans, directs, and coordinates studies that are directed at increasing length and quality of survival for cancer patients, including those that involve prevention of subsequent disease and disability such as organ dysfunction, negative reproductive outcomes and psychosocial disabilities; provides programmatic and consultative support to other divisions and institutes, as well as other government agencies and private sector organizations regarding cancer survivorship issues; and provides a focus for the continuous education of professionals engaged in caring for and promoting the health and well-being of cancer survivors. 

The OCS Director provides scientific and administrative leadership for the OCS and collaborates across the four extramural research programs and 16 branches within DCCPS. The OCS Director represents NCI to a wide variety of professional, academic, and advocacy organizations and develops and facilitates collaborations with funders of other types of population science, including the NIH institutes and centers, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and many non-governmental organizations. The portfolio of cancer survivorship research within DCCPS includes over 100 grants valued at more than $57M per year. The operating budget of DCCPS was valued at more than $130 million in fiscal year 2017. DCCPS also manages more than 700 grants valued at more than $378 million a year. For more information about DCCPS see http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/.

The successful applicant will be an experienced doctoral-level scientist nationally recognized as a leader in the area of cancer survivorship, have excellent communication skills, and have a strong record of peer-reviewed publications. Strong leadership skills, an ability to work effectively across disciplinary boundaries, and a commitment to the highest standards of scientific integrity and quality are required. Experience in managing complex multi-site research projects, coordination of interdisciplinary research programs, and leadership of scientific staff are also required. Development of research training programs in cancer survivorship, involvement in cancer clinical trials and cooperative groups and research networks, participation in guidelines development related to cancer care, and leadership in professional organizations related to cancer survivorship research and cancer research are highly valued.

The successful candidate for this position will be appointed at a salary commensurate with his/her qualifications. Full federal benefits will be provided, including leave, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement, and savings plan (401k equivalent).

Applications will be accepted from February 5, 2018 – March 6, 2018. Please submit a letter of interest, including a brief description of research and administrative experience, CV, and a list of five individuals with contact information who can serve as references to: Paul Jacobsen, PhD, by email or telephone (paul.jacobsen@nih.gov or 240.276.7595). Please also contact Dr. Jacobsen, the search committee chair, for additional information about the position.