Tenure-Track Investigator; NIEHS

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC

Scientific focus area

The Epidemiology Branch of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is recruiting a Tenure-Track Investigator to develop an independent research program on the environment and the chronic diseases of aging.

Environmental exposures over the life course may contribute to observed age-related increases in the incidence of chronic diseases. Older individuals may also have increased susceptibility to adverse effects of environmental exposures. Multidisciplinary population-level research that combines epidemiologic, genomic, and molecular data is needed to better understand how environmental exposures throughout life affect chronic disease burden and healthy aging.

We are therefore seeking an epidemiologist interested in the role of the environment in chronic disease, with an emphasis on exposure assessment, disease pathogenesis, and prevention, to study this field. Areas of focus may include neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, autoimmune, or other chronic diseases, as well as aging-related functional or cognitive outcomes.

A new tenure-track investigator may take advantage of our large prospective cohorts to facilitate aging-related research and collaborate across our intramural clinical and basic science laboratories for translational and/or mechanistic research. Familiarity with assessing environmental exposures using approaches including individual level questionnaire data, geospatial data linkages, wearable personal exposure monitoring, and biomarkers, is of particular interest.

Additionally, expertise in ‘omics-based research and advanced epidemiologic and statistical methods, including methods for evaluating exposure mixtures and causal inference, would be a plus. Experience linking to electronic health records and Medicare data is also beneficial.

The successful candidate is expected to lead an innovative, independent research program exploring environmental exposures, chronic diseases, and aging. Investigators in the NIH intramural program have no formal teaching duties and minimal administrative responsibilities. They are funded internally, with no grant-writing required, and have the potential for generous long-term continuous support.

In exchange, they are expected to engage in high-impact research with postdoctoral fellows and scientific support staff and collaborate with their colleagues to address important scientific problems related to the Institute's mission. Competitive start-up funds, salary, and benefits packages will be provided to the selected applicant. Enterprising candidates may enhance their resources by applying for outside funding that is open to intramural researchers.

The NIEHS is located in Research Triangle Park, a world-renowned academic research center in North Carolina known for its high quality of life and proximity to top-tier universities offering additional opportunities for scientific collaboration, enrichment, teaching, and mentoring through secondary appointments.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, full CV with bibliography, and a 3-4 page research statement detailing your past accomplishments and future research goals, as one combined PDF via email to the address below.

All emails should include "AC1639" in the subject line.

Review of applications will begin on August 3, 2026.

Interested applicants should have a Ph.D., M.D. and/or equivalent doctoral degree. We have a preference for at least 3 years of postdoctoral research experience in our field and an outstanding publication record. We want an exceptional scientist poised to lead an innovative and productive research program.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. NIH welcomes foreign nationals with the exception of individuals from this list .