NIH is the center of medical and behavioral research for the Nation

----making essential medical discoveries that improve health and save lives.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, Center for Clinical Trials Network (CCTN). NIDA is committed to advancing the science on drug use and addiction and applying that knowledge to improve individual and public health. The Director, CCTN provides scientific executive leadership and direction for a complex extramural clinical research program of national and international scope within NIDA and oversees all aspects of the Center’s clinical research and clinical trials. The CCTN Director is one of the top five senior leadership positions that directly reports to and advises the NIDA Director.

The CCTN Director administers the scientific, administrative, budgetary, and operational management of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN). The CTN is a program of multi-site clinical trials evaluating behavioral, pharmacological, and integrated treatment interventions to determine their effectiveness across a broad range of community-based treatment settings and diversified patient populations. CTN has a multifaceted programmatic framework that currently comprises 16 Nodes spanning the country, a Clinical Coordinating Center, and a Data and Statistics Center. CTN Node staff include principal investigators and co-investigators from 82 institutions, and more than 200 community-based providers representing hospitals, clinics, treatment centers, and private practices. CTN has an annual budget of $72M which includes a contracts portfolio totaling $23M per year for additional professional staff to provide the requisite infrastructure and resources for conducting clinical research.

The Director of the CCTN has line authority of up to 15 scientific professionals with the multi-disciplinary training and experience required to oversee and manage a broad portfolio of clinical trials and other clinical research.  As the CTN serves as a national resource, the CCTN Director interacts with NIDA division directors and represents NIDA in NIH-wide activities relevant to clinical research; establishes collaborative relationships with other sister HHS agencies, e.g. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), etc. on regulatory and/or science implementation issues; and interacts with other experts in the field, e.g., the Directors of Drug and Alcohol Single State Agencies and their constituent association, presidents and executive directors of professional organizations, and senior scientists and managers of the pharmaceutical and healthcare device industries. 

The successful candidate will possess an M.D., and/or Ph.D. degree in a discipline relevant to neurobiology, substance use disorders, or clinical trials, and have extensive knowledge and experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of large multi-site clinical trials.  Highly developed management skills, exceptional communication skills, and strong multi-dimensional leadership skills in administering large complex scientific research programs/organizations are greatly desirable. The successful candidate must also have knowledge and experience with regulatory requirements pertaining to interactions with FDA, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other federal agencies, serving on national boards or advisory groups, preparing materials for briefings, hearings, or reports to senior management or trans-agency groups, and presenting at national or international meetings relevant to clinical trials, SUD treatment, and policies surrounding these areas.

To learn more about the position, benefits, and application process, please see the full vacancy announcement on the NIH OHR Executive Careers Page. Please direct any inquiries about the position or about the application process to NIDACCTNSearch@nida.nih.gov. Position open until filled. Applications will begin review by the search committee on October 8, 2024.

NIDA, NIH, AND HHS ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS