Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT)
Systems Toxicology Branch (STB)
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Overview
The Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeks postdoctoral trainees who want to build their careers in toxicological sciences to better understand how factors in our environment may impact our health. The DTT’s mission is to improve public health through data and knowledge development that are translatable, predictive, and timely. DTT strives to conduct innovative and rigorous toxicology research that aligns with real-world public health needs and to translate scientific findings into knowledge that can inform real-life individual and public health concerns. Much of DTT’s work is in support of the interagency National Toxicology Program.
Position Description
A postdoctoral position is available in the Systems Toxicology Branch in the Division of the National Toxicology Program (DTT) at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Please note that the position is in an office-based scientific environment. This position is for a discipline-specific fellowship in the field of genetic toxicology that will be applicable to careers in regulatory science and industrial toxicology. The fellow will gain understanding of key genetic toxicity testing approaches that have Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guidelines as well as genetic toxicity testing batteries. The fellow will also gain experience with genetic toxicity assays that provide information on the mode-of-action or mechanism-of-action of genotoxicants, such as error-corrected next generation sequencing and multiplexed biomarker assays.
The genetic toxicity testing program at the DTT offers a wide range of opportunities for fellow involvement. A suite of activities with defined products (manuscripts, contributions to DTT Technical Reports and Toxicity Reports, reviews, etc.) can be tailored based on the fellow’s interests, skills, and career goals. Furthermore, the fellow will participate in the design and interpretation of appropriate in vivo and in vitro genetic toxicology studies, which are aligned to DTT strategic scientific priorities and primarily conducted at an external contract research organization (CRO). Emphasis will be placed on understanding the study workflow from design through execution to analysis and reporting. The fellow will have extensive interaction with divisional staff in scientific disciplines such as toxicology, chemistry, pathology, genetic toxicology, toxicokinetics, toxicogenomics, informatics, statistics, and molecular biology. The curriculum will also include a number of specific experiences (such as CRO site visits and interaction with external stakeholders in the regulatory sciences at other government agencies) that fellows are expected to undertake during their tenure as well as specifically tailored experiences based on the fellow’s identified career interest, if applicable.
The fellow will be strongly encouraged to participate in collaborative work groups within and external to the DTT and to present data at local and national scientific meetings, and to participate in various leadership development opportunities at the DTT and NIEHS, and with external scientific organizations and societies.
The successful applicant will have formal training or experience in one or more areas of: toxicology, genetic toxicology, cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology, DNA replication, DNA damage response, DNA repair, mechanisms of genome maintenance, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, genomic techniques (e.g., DNA sequencing) and related bioinformatics analyses, in silico methods for prediction of genotoxicity, methods of in vivo to in vitro extrapolation (IVIVE). The successful applicant will also have excellent writing and oral communication skills and will demonstrate a clear interest in working in a highly matrixed, team science environment. The Research Triangle Park area and the surrounding educational institutions provide excellent networking and career development opportunities.
Stipend/Benefits
The DTT Fellows Training Program funds postdoctoral fellowships for typically up to three years. Stipends for NIH fellows are determined by the years of previous postdoctoral experience completed. Postdoctoral fellows are considered professionals-in-training and are not classified as NIH employees. Medical insurance is provided.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a postdoctoral training fellowship at the DTT, applicants may not possess more than five years of postdoctoral experience and must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in toxicology or an allied science (e.g., cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, or closely related discipline), M.D., D.V.M., or other equivalent professional degree. All applicants receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, age (with statutory exceptions), or any other non-merit factor.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted by the closing date (see below) and include:
- A one-page cover letter in which the applicant describes their background, how their doctoral training has prepared them for a fellowship, and what they hope to achieve if accepted into the program
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information for three references
Applications should be submitted at: Please submit your application to Stephanie L. Smith-Roe, Ph.D., via email by October 31, 2023 (deadline extended from October 6, 2023).
The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.
Do not include your birth date, photograph, or social security number (SSN) on application materials. DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers.
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