Job Vacancy Announcement – Contractor Behavioral Data Scientist/Research Psychologist

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Division of Intramural Research Programs (IRP)
Human Genetics Branch (HGB)
Section on Developmental Neurogenomics (SDN)

Program Overview

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking exceptional candidates for a Contractor Behavioral Data Scientist/Research Psychologist position supporting the NIMH Section on Developmental Neurogenomics (SDN).

The SDN (homepage) is a multidisciplinary research group dedicated to better understanding pediatric-onset mental health disorders at both clinical and biological levels of analysis. The SDN research protocol at the NIH Clinical Center – which sees youth with rare genetic conditions that increase the risk for mental health difficulties – supports cutting-edge research on the clinical manifestations, brain changes, and genomic impacts of genetic risk factors. The SDN research program provides a highly integrative research and training environment with extensive opportunities, for example, for cross-work between studies of symptomatology, neuroimaging data, and transcriptomic data.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will work with the uniquely rich collection of clinical data from youth with both rare genetic and idiopathic forms of childhood-onset psychopathology. The position includes both database-facing and clinical-facing (patient contact is optional) job duties:

Database-facing

• Maintaining and using the SDN clinical database linking cognitive and behavioral measures to sociodemographic, neuroimaging, and genetic data elements.
• Collaborating with programmers to refine database design and query commands.
• Working with other SDN members (postbaccalaureate to postdoc level) to create bespoke datasets for analysis from the dataset.
• Advising on data analytic strategies (and implementing these for publication if interested) towards publishing papers on behavioral and cognitive features in patient cohorts.

Clinical-facing

• Helping to train post-baccalaureate fellows in cognitive testing.
• Advising post-baccalaureate fellows as needed regarding cognitive test administration and scoring.
• Collaborating with a clinical team to produce psychological reports for patients' families.
• Administering cognitive tests to study participants (optional).

Qualifications

This position is ideally suited for an individual with dual training in clinical psychology and data science but does not require a formal degree in either discipline. 

Essential

• An advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master’s) in psychology, behavioral science, data science, statistics, computer science, or a related field.
• Completed courses in psychology with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Previous experience in working with databases and an interest in data science are essential.
• Familiarity with SQL, R, or Python.
• Two or more years of work experience, ideally in the behavioral science of biomedicine (broadly conceived).

Desirable, but not essential

• Clinical Psychology Ph.D. +/- certification.
• Experience working with developmental datasets.
• Proven track record of publishing quantitative research papers. 

How to Apply

This position is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests, and contact information for three potential references to Dr. Armin Raznahan at raznahana@mail.nih.gov. Please include "Behavioral Data Scientist/Research Psychologist Application" in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The position is subject to a background check.

Information on the SOAR Contract

The SOAR Contract is a non-personal services contract which provides critical services across all Institutes and Centers (ICs) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH requires qualified and experienced Contractor support on a full range of activities, including new and in-progress research projects, program deployment and implementation, and other activities necessary to conduct the business and fulfill the mission of NIH's biomedical research program. The SOAR Contract was awarded to 5 vendors with a 60-month period of performance.

HHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers

The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs and encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.