Health Scientist Administrator/Program Officer Opportunity
Economic Factors and Mental Health Services Research Program
Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
The Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology Branch (SRCEB) in the Division of Services and Intervention Research (DSIR) of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) seeks a motivated and experienced health economist/services researcher to manage and develop a portfolio of innovative grant-supported research that evaluates the role of economic factors in the delivery, quality, continuity, value, and equity of mental health services offered to individuals from diverse populations and communities, across a range of treatment settings.
DSIR offers a stimulating and collegial work environment with opportunities to impact mental health research priorities, develop new research initiatives, and contribute to the advancement of a national program of health services research. General responsibilities for Program Officers in SRCEB include administering and managing an extramural portfolio of research grants; collaborating with researchers and Program Officers from related scientific programs within NIMH, NIH, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other public and private funding agencies; and communicating SRCEB research priorities via outreach to the scientific community (e.g., conference presentations, workshops, and special journal issues).
The successful candidate will have primary responsibility for managing and developing a portfolio of research grants on economic factors affecting the delivery of mental health services. Topics include the economic burden of mental illness; financing and reimbursement of public and private mental health services; impact of various forms of managed care and physician payment methods on the cost of mental health care; pharmaco-economics; evaluation of the impact of insurance coverage, including mandated coverage and mental health insurance parity, on access, quality, continuity, value, and equity of care; cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis of mental health service interventions and mental health policy options; addressing workforce issues related to implementation of evidence-based approaches; and economic analysis of practice patterns of different mental health providers. The goal of the program is to expand understanding of the role of economic factors in the delivery and use of mental health services and to inform new mental health financing methods that promote high value care for people suffering from mental disorders. The portfolio features research utilizing large data sets (e.g., administrative, claims, or electronic health record data), quasi-experimental techniques to evaluate “natural experiments” in mental health policy, as well as pragmatic clinical trials.
Qualifications: Applicants must be US citizens and the ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university, including acceptance of the dissertation, in health economics and/or health services research. Experience in the conduct of research or research management, as well as data-based publications in health economics and/or health services research, are required. Strong organizational, oral, writing, and communication skills are preferred. Prior experience in mental health research is ideal. Experience with the grants process is preferable. The successful candidate is subject to a background investigation and public financial disclosure requirements.
This position will be located in Rockville, Maryland and will include a full package of federal Civil Service benefits is available, including retirement, health and life insurance, long term care insurance, leave, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K equivalent). Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The position will be posted at the GS-13 and GS-14 federal government salary grades for the Washington-Baltimore-Virginia metropolitan region with an annual salary between $102,663 and $157,709.
For more information: Interested parties should send a letter of interest, including a curriculum vitae, to NIMHsearch@mail.nih.gov. This is a preannouncement of the vacancy. An upcoming Global “Health Scientist Administrator” job announcement will be posted on https://www.usajobs.gov/ from September 21, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Applications must be submitted through www.usajobs.gov by September 30, 2020 to be considered. To be notified of the posting, please send a request to NIMHsearch@mail.nih.gov. All inquiries will remain confidential.
The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
HHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.