Month: August 2023

NIH Office of Science Policy Recruiting for Multiple Positions

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*NOTICE OF CORRECTION*

Please note that the closing date for the job announcements below was incorrectly listed in the original message.

The closing date for all announcements is September 1, 2023.  We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Do you like a fast-paced environment where your work drives evidence-based policies to support the health of the Nation?  If so, a career in the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) might be the place for you.  OSP works across the biomedical research enterprise to ensure NIH policy evolves in tandem with rapidly advancing science and technology. OSP is also the primary advisor to the NIH Director and NIH leadership on new, emerging policy issues at the intersection of science and society.

Currently, OSP is recruiting for five positions across several policy divisions:

  • Scientific Data Sharing: Director, Taunton Paine
  • Clinical and Healthcare Research: Director, Adam Berger
  • Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Emerging Biotechnology: Director, Cari Young
  • Science Policy Coordination, Collaboration, and Reporting: Director, Tyrone Spady

All vacancies are open from August 28, 2023 – September 15, 2023.  Full information and how to apply can be found at:

  • NIH OD-DE-23-12091438
    Applicants without prior Federal service, Federal employees without competitive service status, or those with status.

Current and former Federal employees with competitive status, those eligible for noncompetitive consideration, and certain veterans eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (VEOA).

Please contact OSP Chief of Staff, Kelly Fennington at fenningk@od.nih.gov, with any questions.  Also, you can follow us on Twitter: @NIH_OSP

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Upcoming Meeting of the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee

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On August 29, 2023, from 2:00- 4:30 PM ET, NIH will be hosting a virtual meeting of the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC).  This meeting will include presentation, discussion, and possible finalization of a draft report prepared by the Data Science and Emerging Technology Working Group.  The Working Group was previously tasked with identifying research questions that rely on novel types and uses of data, and to explore implications of this research for stakeholders.

In addition, the meeting will include discussion of next steps for the Committee.

A draft agenda, webcast information, details on how to sign up to make oral comments or submit written comments, and other meeting materials can be found on the meeting page of the OSP Website.

If you have any questions, please contact us at SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov. You can also follow us on Twitter: @NIH_OSP

NIH Seeks Input on Proposed Revisions to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines)

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NIH is seeking public input on a proposal to revise the NIH Guidelines to strengthen biosafety practices for research involving gene drive modified organisms (GDMOs) in contained research settings.  Part of the proposal seeks to: 

  • Clarify the minimum containment requirement for research involving GDMOs; and 
  • Articulate considerations for risk assessment and define institutional responsibilities for Institutional Biosafety Committees and Biosafety Officers.  

These proposed changes are consistent with recommendations contained in the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC) report, Gene Drives in Biomedical Research.       

The full proposal can be found in the Federal Register.  Public comments will be accepted on the proposal until October 10, 2023. Comments must be submitted using the electronic comment form.

Additional context on the NIH proposal can be found in the latest Under the Poliscope blog at: https://osp.od.nih.gov/turning-listening-into-action-a-proposal-to-strengthen-the-nih-guidelines/

Questions may be sent to SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov.  Also, please consider following us on Twitter @NIH_OSP

Turning Listening into Action: A Proposal to Strengthen the NIH Guidelines

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As an unrepentant policy fanatic, I love talking about details, whether it be the implications of a strategically placed “shall” or where data should be in controlled access. However, most of the time, policymaking requires being a good listener.  Listening is an underrated skill and is more than just waiting for your turn to speak.  Typically, the scientific, ethical, legal, and social issues at the forefront of biomedical research are so complex that it is essential we turn to experts and members of the public to hear their perspectives before we can develop a policy responsive to their needs. Listening to this input and incorporating it into policymaking is vital to our work and to ensuring our policies hit the mark.

A recent case study in listening involves the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee, or as we like to call them, the NExTRAC.  In 2020, we asked this committee to think through the different scenarios that may be used in gene drive research to advise on whether/how we should think about updating our existing biosafety policy framework.  During its deliberations, the Committee also did a lot of listening, consulting with subject matter experts, and holding a public workshop. Ultimately, the NExTRAC produced some very thoughtful recommendations in its final report to the NIH.

Based on our internal deliberations and the NExTRAC’s recommendations, NIH is turning this listening into action by proposing some policy updates. The proposal is to revise the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) to strengthen our infrastructure for ensuring this research continues to proceed responsibly. Specifically, the proposed revisions would incorporate specific considerations and requirements for NIH-supported research involving gene drive modified organisms in contained research settings. 

It is important to emphasize that all the proposed actions at this time focus on working with gene drive modified organisms in contained research settings. This research is already performed around the globe in labs with biosafety precautions in place. However, as technology evolves, we must make sure that our policies keep pace. Thanks to the work of the NExTRAC, we believe this proposal will allow researchers to safely proceed with contained gene drive research.  I encourage all interested stakeholders to view the full proposal and provide us with your feedback.  Comments on the full proposal will be accepted until October 10, 2023, and must be submitted electronically.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Lyric Jorgenson, PhD
NIH Associate Director for Science Policy
About Lyric
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