Position Overview
The ODWD Director (1) serves as the focal point for the
Institute’s efforts to foster research to understand and
eliminate mental health disparities among racial/ethnic
and sexual/gender minority populations and other underserved or vulnerable groups; (2) implements strategic plans
to improve the effectiveness of NIMH disparities research
activities and diversity training programs; (3) promotes and
facilitates the development and maintenance of a diverse
and inclusive biomedical research workforce through
innovative approaches; (4) oversees and coordinates NIMH
policies related to extramural diversity activities, research
training programs, and workforce development efforts;
and, (5) collaborates with NIH, DHHS, and other agencies,
as well as the extramural scientific community, on these
matters.
The ODWD Director will provide effective leadership in
developing and implementing scientific policies and
research initiatives that aim to reduce mental health
disparities and advance equity in mental health
interventions, ser-vices, and outcomes. In addition, the
Director will increase scientific attention to mental health
disparities experienced by women as well as persons living
in rural areas. Applicants should be capable of managing
interdisciplinarystaff with a variety of backgrounds and
interests to generate a work environment that is
cooperative and productive. 

Qualifications
Applicants must have an M.D. or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific
discipline and be a recognized leader in the field of mental
health disparities research and/or rural mental health.
Experience in developing and maintaining a diverse
workforce is desirable. As a scientific leader, the ODWD
Director is expected to recognize promising opportunities
for aligning NIMH health disparities initiatives with those of
other Institutes or agencies. To be successful in building and
managing this diverse portfolio of research, the incumbent
must be knowledgeable about population specific needs as
well as scientific opportunities for reducing health disparities
and improving population health overall. Applicants must be
able to prioritize scientific efforts related to heath disparities
research and manage these activities within an annual
budget. This requires frequent evaluation of program
priorities, and occasionally changing tacticsto maximize
funding opportunities, especially when outsideresources
become available for co-funding or cost-sharing.
The incumbent must provide executive leadership and
possess superior communication skills to effectively and
appropriately present information to the public and other
stakeholders, including NIH, DHHS, and Congressional staff,
on health disparities among racial/ethnic and sexual/gender
minority populations, women, those residingin rural areas,
and other disadvantaged groups, on ways to resolve these
inequities.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted between May 17, 2021 and June 29, 2021. Applications must include CV and a letter of
intent including a mission statement and/or vision for the position. Please send these materials to
NIMHsearch@mail.nih.gov. Contact Melissa Kopyto at melissa.kopyto@nih.gov or (301) 827-2862 with any questions.

The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
HHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.