The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking highly qualified candidates for two positions: a Scientist-Investigator position within the Division of Investigative Oversight and an Education and Integrity Specialist position within the Division of Education and Integrity. The positions are full-time and are located at the Rockville, MD office. Candidates interested in applying for both positions should include “Investigator/Specialist” in the subject line of their email and address this in their expression of interest.
 

Scientist-Investigator (Division of Investigative Oversight)

The Scientist-Investigator will manage activities related to assigned cases of alleged research misconduct in biomedical research studies. This position will be filled through an OASH Staff Fellow appointment (42 U.S.C., Section 209(g), starting at a GS-11 level equivalent and up to a GS-13 level equivalent with a doctoral degree and relevant experience).

Applicants with proficiency in: i) analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting biomedical data and information for dissemination to the research community; and ii) experience in writing and organizing data in figures for manuscripts submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals or for research grant proposals, are especially encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated strong project management, interpersonal communication, and decision-making skills, and the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team. The candidate is expected to utilize their scientific knowledge and expertise to perform scientific and administrative reviews and analyses of institutional research misconduct proceedings, including investigation reports, for completeness and consistency, as defined by 42 C.F.R. Part 93, and to evaluate evidence and prepare cases to support findings of research misconduct and recommend administrative actions.

Who Should Apply:

• Candidates with a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) in the health sciences or related field, including a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) discipline
   
• Candidates with a high level of experience in performing evaluations, reviews, and analyses of scientific research, using qualitative and quantitative approaches
   
• Candidates who have extensive knowledge with an array of biomedical research laboratory procedures and equipment, including common image- and statistical data-processing software and computational approaches
   
• Candidates with strong written and oral communication skills
   

How to Apply:

Candidates should send an expression of their interest (no more than two pages) and their resume (no more than five pages) to ORI-resumes@hhs.gov by February 27, 2023. Include “ORI investigator” in the subject line.
 

Education and Integrity Specialist (Division of Education and Integrity)

This position will be filled through an OASH Service Fellow appointment (starting at a GS-11 level equivalent and up to a GS-12 level equivalent with a doctoral degree and relevant experience).

The Specialist will work to support ORI’s mission to promote research integrity, prevent research misconduct, and protect public health and Public Health Service (PHS) funds by contributing to education and outreach activities, internal program-related initiatives, and compliance and regulatory matters. The Specialist will apply the knowledge and experience that they have obtained by conducting research, teaching, and/or working in compliance with 42 C.F.R. Part 93 in the PHS-funded research environment to:  (1) conduct research and collect and analyze data in support of ORI projects that will lead to the improvement of ORI processes and activities; (2) assist with ORI activities related to 42 C.F.R. Part 93; and (3) assist with the development and implementation of education and outreach activities that aid PHS-funded research institutions in their efforts “to teach the responsible conduct of research, promote research integrity, prevent research misconduct, and . . . to respond effectively to allegations of research misconduct” (65 F.R. 30600, 30601).

Examples of projects/activities/duties that may be assigned to the Education and Integrity Specialist include:

• Applying experience gained in a PHS-funded research environment to design, develop, and implement research, analytical, and educational approaches to support a variety of public health and scientific research initiatives
   
• Assisting with the development of educational, training, and professional development materials, related to the responsible conduct of research, research integrity, and research misconduct, for use by scientists, researchers, and research administrators in the PHS-funded research community
   
• Reviewing educational, training, and professional development material intended for scientists, researchers, and research administrators, related to the responsible conduct of research, research integrity, and research misconduct
   
• Developing and/or implementing methods to measure and evaluate program effectiveness at the international, national, state, and local levels
   
• Assisting with the review and evaluation of PHS-funded institutions’ compliance, as appropriate, in accordance with the PHS regulations
   
• Assisting with policy analyses and outcomes assessments that inform and modernize ORI’s approach to compliance and identifying opportunities for potential regulatory or procedural changes
   
• Making presentations on topics related to the responsible conduct of research, research integrity, and research misconduct at conferences, workshops, and meetings of scientists, researchers, and research administrators
   
• Preparing reports on topics related to the responsible conduct of research, research integrity, and research misconduct

Who Should Apply:

• Candidates with a Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) in a health sciences, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics), or related discipline
   
• Candidates with experience conducting research, teaching, and/or working in compliance with 42 C.F.R. Part 93 in a PHS-funded research environment
   
• Candidates with the motivation to pursue complex problems as well as the ability to balance multiple ongoing projects and competing priorities
   
• Candidates with the ability to work within a collaborative setting, independently, and as part of a team
   
• Candidates with strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send an expression of their interest (no more than two pages) and their resume (no more than five pages) to ORI-resumes@hhs.gov by February 27, 2023. Include “Education and Integrity” in the subject line.