Job Vacancies

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) is dedicated to hiring exceptional people to fulfill the mission of the Institute which is aimed at understanding the principles, mechanisms, and processes that underlie living organisms, often using research models. NIGMS also supports the development of fundamental methods and new technologies to achieve its mission; provides leadership in training future scientists including efforts to enhance the diversity of the scientific workforce; and develop the research capacity throughout the country.

Below, please find all open positions in the Institute. Note that these positions will remain posted on this website until filled.

For questions about the recruitment process, please contact the NIGMS Workforce Team.

You also may find the following helpful:

  • Merit Promotion (MP)
    • These vacancy announcements are used to consider current and former federal employees for positions. These positions are not open to the general public, or people that do not have current or former federal status.
  • Delegated Examining (DE)
    • These vacancy announcements are used to consider the general public for vacant positions. Appointments made through the DE authority are subject to civil service laws and regulations, and are used to fill competitive civil service jobs with the following types of candidates:
      • Applicants applying from outside the federal workforce,
      • Federal employees who do not have competitive service status, or
      • Federal employees with competitive service status.

NIGMS Vacancy Announcements

Vacancies - Open for Application

  • Division Research Capacity Building (DRCB), NIGMS
  • Vacancies - Coming Soon

    Vacancies - Recently Closed

    Vacancies - Open for Application

    Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    How To Apply
    This position offers an exciting opportunity to set scientific priorities, lead change, and improve the biomedical research enterprise. The DRCB director is a key member of the NIGMS senior leadership team and supervises a staff of approximately 15 program officers.

    DRCB seeks to enhance the research, research training, research infrastructure, and faculty development of institutions in states and jurisdictions that have historically received low levels of NIH support. DRCB is thus responsible for both broadening the distribution of NIH biomedical research funding and supporting the NIGMS' commitment to developing a broad and diverse biomedical research workforce. To that end, among the programs that DRCB supports are those that seek to increase the research competitiveness of faculty at resource-limited institutions and medical/health professional schools having an explicit historical mission focused on training and graduating students from historically underrepresented groups (e.g., HBCUs, TCUs, and HSIs). Additionally, DRCB programs support capacity building within communities, such as student and faculty enhancement and health research needs identified and selected by American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal Communities. Lastly, DRCB supports educational activities that enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation's biomedical and clinical research needs.

    The ideal candidate will have considerable research experience in biomedical science in one of the areas supported by the division, recognized research management and leadership abilities, and knowledge related to the NIGMS mission.
    Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in a field related to the division portfolio.
    This position is being advertised under the Title 42 hiring authority.

    Workplace Flexibilities such as Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should visit the Vacancy Announcement for information on how to apply.

    Vacancies - Coming Soon

    The below NIGMS positions are currently vacant, however not yet open for application. When the vacancy announcements are posted to USAJobs.gov, these positions will be moved to the “Open for Application” section of this web page and the USAJOBS vacancy announcement will be linked.

    Division of Extramural Activities (DEA), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    Grants Management Specialist

    Division of Extramural Activities, Grants Management Branch
    Grants Management Specialists at the NIH manage funds that are disbursed as extramural awards to universities, small businesses, and other organizations to conduct research. They serve as experts assisting in the planning, implementation and evaluation of funding opportunities and provide guidance on the business and financial administration of extramural awards.

    Ideal candidates will have strong verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
    This position has no educational requirement.
    GS-9/11/12/13 – Grants Management Specialist

    Multiple Positions

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Grace Olascoaga

    Division of Management (DOM), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    Management Analyst

    Division of Management, Executive Office
    Initiates and executes very complex administrative/management projects. Utilizes expert skills in studying work methods, administrative guidelines, procedures, utilization of human resources, work assignments, delegations of authority, management controls, information, and documentation systems, etc. Analyzes and evaluates findings and recommends more efficient, effective and economical ways to accomplish workload and program objectives.

    Knowledge of human resources recruitment for Title 5, and Title 42, is key.
    This position has no educational requirement.
    GS 11/12/13 – Management Analyst

    Multiple Positions

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Ayanna Vest
    Budget Analyst

    Division of Management, Financial Management Branch
    Knowledge of budget execution, formulation and presentation is critical. Additionally, experience in data dashboard creation and data analytics are a plus.
    This position has no educational requirement.
    GS 7/9/11/12/13

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Tony Moore
    IT Specialist

    Division of Management, Information Resources Management Branch
    Directs and manages Integrated Project Teams (IPT) IT professional staff in the development and production support activities of IT application system solutions. Plans, assigns, and monitors the work tasks of team members. Helps to define project resources, schedules, and milestones. Works with the Project Management Office and contract project team leads to define team member tasks and creates and maintains a work breakdown structure of project tasks with staff resource allocations and timelines.

    Tracks, monitors, and reviews team member tasks and status reports. Provides analytical guidance to team members and serves as a change agent to champion innovation and technical excellence. Reviews and approves the work products of project team members.

    Partners with NIGMS stakeholders and IRMB Business Analysts (e.g., subject matter experts at any organizational level, IT experts, and high-ranking officials, etc.) to elicit, analyze, and define business needs, and to determine the appropriate IT application system solution of products and deliverables to solve the business problem. Assists to create and maintain initial project planning artifacts that include but not limited to business case, project charter, project scope, preliminary project plan, project schedule and project proposal documents.

    Employs the use of Agile project management practices and techniques that comply with the DHHS Enterprise Performance Lifecycle (EPLC) project management framework to ensure that project objectives are met. Employs the use of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, Rapid Application Development (RAD), Iterative, etc.) along with other practices and techniques throughout all phases of project workflow (e.g., requirements definition, design, construction, testing, implementation, deployment) to ensure that product requirements are met to support business objectives.

    Tracks and monitors project schedules, budgets, scope, and resources to ensure that projects proceed according to plan. Defines, monitors, and tracks performance metrics. Identifies risks, defines risk mitigation strategies, and manages project risks. Supports project reporting, analytics, and dashboards for monitoring and reporting on project status, schedule, and costs.

    Partners with the PMO office to create and maintain comprehensive project plans that include the creation of project schedule and cost management artifacts, as well as risk, communication, requirements, quality, and contingency management plan components. Creates and maintains project support documentation that includes but not limited to project status reports, configuration management records, changes requests, incident reports, and stakeholder agreements (e.g., service level agreements, organizational level agreements, memorandums of understanding).

    Conducts presentations, briefings, or other communication activities to keep appropriate management informed of the status of all significant project activity and issues.

    Collaborates with subject matter specialists and experts at any organizational level and other IT experts, in order to determine stakeholder business needs for optimal computer system design, organizational impact, implementation schedules, environmental and administrative/budgetary constraints, etc.

    Coordinates systems integration activities with business owners, system owners, and IT specialists who manage IT systems within and outside of the NIGMS computing environment.

    Employs the use of IT service management practices and techniques that comply with the ITIL service management public framework to ensure the delivery of quality IT services. Displays and exercises in depth knowledge of application independent validation and verification (IV&V) to ensure deliverables are in line with technical and functional requirements.
    This position has no educational requirement.
    GS 11/12/13

    Workplace Flexibilities such as Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Jose Lopez or Arthur Lynch

    Vacancies - Recently Closed

    The below NIGMS positions have recently closed. Applications are not being accepted at this time, however, to obtain additional information about the position, please email the point of contact listed in the Additional Information column.

    Office of The Director (OD), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    Tribal Health Research Strategy Coordinator

    Office of the Director, Strategic Coordination Unit
    The incumbent will assume a broad sphere of responsibilities that include, among others:
    • Serving as the expert on matters related to Tribal health research within the NIGMS mission, and as a resource for the Institute director, our associate director for extramural activities, and other senior leadership within NIGMS
    • Serving as a senior-level NIGMS representative in collaborations and initiatives with the NIH Tribal Health Research Office, the Indian Health Service, Tribal nations, and federal and academic partners across the country
    • Formulating, planning, directing, and evaluating broad NIGMS-wide program objectives, policies, and activities for Tribal health research projects, programs, and other grants/awards including the discovery, development, and evaluation of scientific areas critical for eventual prevention and therapeutic strategies
    • Advising leadership on strategies to address ongoing matters with Tribal communities


    Candidates should have experience managing extramural funds and working in a specific scientific field. They should also be able to formulate ideas for improving the research capacity of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The selectee will collaborate with the AI/AN Tribal communities and act as the communities’ NIGMS point of contact for the Institute’s AI/AN research portfolio.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    Non-Supervisory GS-15 – Health Science Administrator

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Dorit Zuk

    Division of Extramural Activities (DEA), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    Grants Management Specialist

    Division of Extramural Activities
    NIGMS is recruiting a Team Leader for the Administrative Service Support Center within the Division of Extramural Activities (DEA). The DEA Service Center assists recipient institutions with little to no research administration infrastructure or experience, with understanding and complying with extramural award management requirements. The Service Center is also responsible for training materials (web content, videos, webinars) for recipient institutions trying to resolve issues that preclude issuance of an award or to adhere to annual reporting requirements.

    Ideal candidates will have exceptional organizational and communication skills, strong NIH extramural research award policy experience, and the ability to work collaboratively across the Institute.
    This position has no educational requirement.
    GS-14 Supervisory Grants Management Specialist

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Grace Olascoaga
    Deputy Grants Management Officer (1); and Team Leader (multiple)

    Division of Extramural Activities, Grants Administration Branch
    Supervisory Grants Management Specialist/Deputy Grants Management Officer, Grants Administration Branch: NIGMS is recruiting a Deputy Grants Management Officer for the Grants Administration Branch (GAB). GAB participates in the development of Institute policies on the business management aspects of grant and cooperative agreement awards and is responsible for processing all documentation necessary for administration of NIGMS extramural award programs. The Deputy GMO supervises a team and assists the Chief GMO in managing GAB operations, including policy development, compliance oversight, award management and staff training.

    Ideal candidates will have exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills, strong NIH extramural research policy experience, and the ability to work collaboratively.

    Supervisory Grants Management Specialist/Team Leader, Grants Administration Branch: NIGMS is recruiting multiple Team Leader positions for the Grants Administration Branch (GAB) in the Division of Extramural Activities. GAB participates in the development of Institute policies on the business management aspects of grant and cooperative agreement awards and is responsible for processing all documentation necessary for administration of NIGMS extramural award programs. The Team Leader supervises a team of Grants Management Specialists, provides technical and administrative direction to staff and is responsible for overall coordination and management of a portfolio of awards.

    Ideal candidates will have significant previous experience working in NIH grants management, strong leadership and managerial skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across the Institute.
    This position has no educational requirement.
    GS-14 Supervisory Grants Management Specialist

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Grace Olascoaga
    The selected candidates will be responsible for conducting the initial administrative and scientific merit review of grant applications for research programs and/or research training and career development grants. Candidates with experience with training mechanisms (e.g., T32s) and/or experience with center/resource mechanisms (e.g., Ps, U54s, R24s) are strongly encouraged to apply.

    Duties include (1) ensuring fairness and consistency of the scientific peer review process by managing the scientific and administrative review of applications; (2) acting as the designated federal official in convening review panels, ensuring NIH review policies are followed and writing summary statements to complete the review process; and (3) providing guidance to applicants, reviewers, and Institute staff on peer review policies and procedures.

    These positions require outstanding written and oral communication skills, and familiarity with NIH extramural funding as an applicant, awardee, reviewer, or NIH scientific administrator is a plus.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    GS-12/13/14 – Scientific Review Officer

    Multiple Positions

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Greg Bissonette

    Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences (BBCB), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    The position resides in the Biophysics Branch, which supports grant portfolios that apply techniques and principles from the physical sciences to investigate structures and structure-function relationships in biology.

    Successful applicants should have broad knowledge of molecular biophysics theory and techniques. For this specific position, experience in studies of membranes and membrane protein structure, function, and folding is a plus.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    GS-12/13/14 – Health Science Administrator

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Dorothy Beckett or Paula Flicker
    The position resides in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Branch, which supports research in biomedical informatics and computational approaches that join biology with the computer sciences, engineering, mathematics, biostatistics, and physics.

    Applicants should have broad knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: computational biology, bioinformatics, data science, applied mathematics, and biostatistics. Experience in genomics or -omics data analysis is a plus.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    GS-12/13/14 – Health Science Administrator

    Multiple Positions<

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Dorothy Beckett or Jean Yuan

    Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (GMCDB), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    The GMCDB division currently has two Program Officer openings. All prospective candidates should have expertise in the mechanism and regulation of genetics including basic molecular processes, cellular biology, and/or developmental biology.

    The selected candidates will be responsible for scientific and administrative management of a portfolio of research grants (and may also manage research training and career development awards) and will stimulate, plan, advise, direct, and evaluate program activities related to their field of expertise. The incumbents will manage the overall programmatic responsibilities for these areas and will serve as the primary liaisons for all interactions within and outside of NIH.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    GS-12/13/14 – Health Science Administrator

    Multiple Positions

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Andrea Keane-Myers, JianHua Xu, or Shawn Gaillard

    Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry (PPBC), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    Scientific and administrative planning for grant awards, oversee grant portfolio activities for each of a branch’s program directors, manage and evaluate activities of the branch, and optimize branch’s procedures.

    Manage an assigned research grant portfolio and work closely with other branch chiefs in PPBC and the Division director.

    Candidates should have expertise in any of the scientific areas supported by the Division. Experience as an NIH scientific grant administrator is a plus, and outstanding written and oral communication skills are essential. Candidates should have strong interest in supervising and mentoring a team of program directors, and in serving as a leader within the branch, the Division, and the Institute.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    GS-15 – Supervisory Health Science Administrator

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Rochelle Long

    Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB), NIGMS

    NIGMS Division
    Knowledge, Skills, & Areas of Responsibility
    Educational Requirements
    General Schedule Grade & Additional Information
    Additional Information
    This is a newly created position for the Division as it reorganizes into three branches. Applicants should have significant interest in the programs managed by the Division, which seek to build capacity for conducting basic, clinical, behavioral, and translational research that falls in the mission areas of the NIH. These include the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program that supports research, research workforce development, and research infrastructure improvements in states where levels of NIH research funding have historically been low, especially the IDeA Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) Programs, as well as the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program. More details are available on the DRCB website.

    Candidates should have a strong interest in research capacity building and familiarity with the management of large program projects, particularly clinical research. Experience as an NIH scientific grant administrator is a plus, and outstanding written and oral communication skills are essential. Candidates should have strong interest in supervising and mentoring a team of program directors, and in serving as a leader within the branch, the Division, and the Institute.

    Branch chief’s responsibilities include scientific and administrative planning for grant awards, developing notices of funding opportunities, overseeing grant portfolio activities for the branch’s program directors, and managing and evaluating activities of the branch. Additionally, the branch chief will manage an assigned grant portfolio and will work closely with other branch chiefs in DRCB and the Division director.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    GS-15 – Supervisory Health Science Administrator

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Michele McGuirl or Dorit Zuk
    Program Officer

    Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB), Networks and Development Programs Branch
    DRCB is looking for accomplished scientist with expertise in strategies and methodologies to oversee productive research, outreach networks, and development programs. The successful applicant will be responsible for scientific and administrative management of a diverse research portfolio of faculty development, research training, and research infrastructure improvement programs that include Institutional Development Award (IDeA), Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) and Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA). The Networks and Development Programs Branch leads the Division’s efforts in developing and implementing innovative ideas to enhance research and technology transfer infrastructure and the workforce pipeline.

    Prospective candidates should have a degree in basic, biomedical, or an allied sciences field with strong interest in building institutional capacity for conducting basic, clinical, behavioral, and translational research that falls in the mission areas of the NIH. Those with familiarity in managing large program projects, technology, and small business development, developing the STEM workforce, application of data science to other fields, or Tribal affairs and culture are strongly encouraged to apply.

    Familiarity with NIH extramural funding as a grantee, reviewer, or scientific administrator is a plus. Outstanding oral and written communication skills are essential. Candidates are expected to develop initiatives and to work both independently and collaboratively.
    Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level advanced degree in a biomedical science field related to the work of the position.
    GS-12/13/14 – Health Science Administrator

    Workplace Flexibilities such as: Remote, and Local Remote, and Telework will be offered.
    Interested candidates should send their resume to Krishan Arora or Michele McGuirl