Data and Technology Advancement (DATA) National Service Scholar Program: Data Scientists Advancing Biomedical Research

The NIH Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is pleased to announce a new opportunity for experienced data and computer scientists and engineers to tackle challenging biomedical data problems with the potential for substantial public health impact.

Today, biomedical datasets are measured in petabytes and comprise data types ranging from DNA sequences to wearable sensor-generated outputs like heartrate. NIH envisions a biomedical enterprise in which data and information generated in the field, laboratory, and clinic are processed and analyzed in real time and readily shared. In an increasingly data-rich world, these advances are essential to the NIH mission of enhancing health, lengthening life, and reducing illness and disability.

Achieving this vision requires deep experience in, and knowledge of, data and computer sciences and related fields. To bring talented professionals with this necessary expertise to advance high-impact NIH programs, the ODSS created the Data and Technology Advancement (DATA) National Service Scholar Program. DATA Scholars will substantially optimize and accelerate data science in biomedicine to improve human health and well-being. The program will also encourage transformative approaches that lead to increased efficiency, innovative research, tool development, and analytics.

The one- to two-year position will be based in one of the NIH institutes, centers, or the Office of the Director, located in Bethesda and Rockville, MD, or Research Triangle Park, NC. During this period, DATA Scholars will:

• Lead exciting, high-profile, transformative NIH projects that leverage large data sets to advance knowledge in areas of high biomedical research impact.
• Directly communicate with NIH senior leadership about projects and topics of importance for the biomedical research community.
• Collaborate with other DATA Scholars and the NIH data science community across broad disciplinary boundaries in training, discovery, and development of data science skills, methods, and tools.
• Engage with policymakers, top researchers at NIH and other institutions, and industry partners at the cutting edge of data science.

Topics for individual projects are intended to represent key areas of expertise involved in the overall project. Candidates need not be experts in all key areas to apply to a project.

• ​Accelerating Clinical Adoption of Machine Intelligence Applications in Medical Imaging
  • Topics: AI/ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data harmonization, data repositories, data sharing, software development
• Advancing Interoperability for Environmental Health
  • Topics: data harmonization, data sharing, informatics, interoperability, software development
• Architecting Search Across Petabyte-Scale Genomic Sequence
  • Topics: AI/ML, cloud computing, data sharing, informatics, software development
• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning Approaches to Analyze Alzheimer's Disease Data
  • Topics: AI/ML, data management, data harmonization, data sharing, project management
• Cloud-Native High-Performance Computing for Bioinformatics with Complex Data
  • Topics: cloud computing, cybersecurity, HPC, human-centered design, software development
• Developing a Cloud-Based Platform for Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Research
  • Topics: AI/ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data harmonization, data sharing, interoperability, software testing
• Expanding Theories of Brain Circuits Using Knowledge Integration
  • Topics: AI/ML, data harmonization, data sharing, knowledge graphs, model building
• Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa
  • Topics: data management, data sharing, project management, software development
• Innovative Solutions for Data Harmonization, Mobile Analytics, and End-User Support
  • Topics: AI/ML, chatbot, cloud computing, data harmonization, data sharing, NLP, software development
• Interoperability of NIH Cloud-Based Platforms for Genomics Research
  • Topics: cloud computing, data harmonization, data sharing, interoperability, project management
• Supporting Cancer Knowledge Extraction Through the Cancer Research Data Commons
  • Topics: AI/ML, API development, cloud computing, data harmonization, data management, data sharing, interoperability, knowledge graphs

The application window for this opportunity has closed.

Applicants should send a CV and detailed cover letter to datascience@nih.gov with the subject line “DATA Scholar.” Within the cover letter, applicants should provide the following information:

1. their top three project choices from the list above* (Please read the full project descriptions before applying.)
2. a vision statement describing how they will use their experience to address data challenges and advance the mission of NIH
3. the names and contact information of three references
4. how they learned about the DATA Scholar opportunity

*If you have another idea that integrates with one or more NIH-supported data-related projects but is not listed here, please contact datascience@nih.gov before applying.

Applicants should possess technical skills in one or more of the following areas, as relevant to their proposed project area(s): artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data engineering, data science, database management, project management, software design, supercomputing, and/or bioinformatics. Industry experience is desired. Applicants should have an M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and have advanced experience in data science or related fields. Appointees may be U.S. citizens, resident aliens, or non-resident aliens with, or eligible to obtain, a valid employment-authorization visa.

Salary level will be determined based upon the Scholar’s past experience. Relocation expenses may be paid.
The NIH offers competitive benefits, telework options, and flexible alternative work schedules. For full details, see https://hr.nih.gov/benefits.  

DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. Applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

Jessica Mazerik (jessica.mazerik@nih.gov) – 301.402.5935

Wynn Meyer (wynn.meyer@nih.gov) – 301.827.0785