Project Director, Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Program – DHHS/NIH/NIDA

CPDD; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil service benefits

Job summary

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the NIH under DHHS, seeks a Project Director for the ABCD Program in Rockville, MD. This full-time federal role leads scientific strategy, partnerships across NIH and external stakeholders, and program management for a major trans-NIH initiative.

The candidate should have an MD and/or PhD with extensive research and proven executive leadership experience in large, complex programs and interagency collaboration.

Qualifications

• MD and/or PhD in a health or allied science field with substantial research experience relevant to ABCD program.
• Demonstrated executive leadership in managing large, complex research programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership for the ABCD Program and oversee its strategic direction.
• Establish priorities, make high-level recommendations, and advise on resource allocation.
• Collaborate with NIH Institutes/ Centers/ Offices, DAIRC, ABCD Coordinating Center, research sites, and stakeholders; communicate program findings to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Executive leadership

Program management

Education

MD/PhD or equivalent

Job description

Project Director, Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Program

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a major research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Project Director, Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Program, Division of Extramural Research (DER).

DER provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for NIDA’s extramural research enterprise, including the coordination and oversight of major collaborative and trans-NIH research initiatives. The Project Director is responsible for providing overall scientific leadership for this highly visible and complex trans-NIH research program.

The Project Director establishes scientific priorities and strategic objectives; makes high-level recommendations and decisions regarding overall program direction; advises on resource allocation; evaluates scientific progress; and provides leadership in identifying and resolving complex scientific, operational, and policy issues affecting the study. The Project Director is also responsible for collaborating with participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices; the ABCD Coordinating Center; the Data Analysis, Informatics, and Resource Center (DAIRC); Research Project Sites; Consortium investigators; and other scientific and programmatic partners in the scientific planning, implementation, oversight, management, evaluation, data stewardship, and communications of the ABCD Program. In addition, the Project Director advises senior NIDA and NIH leadership on matters of major scientific and strategic importance to ABCD and maintains interactions with the scientific community, other Federal agencies, research and professional organizations, and other stakeholders and serves as a senior representative for the study in interactions with these organizations and stakeholders.

The Project Director, ABCD Program, Title 42, 0601, SPL-2 is a full-time federal position in Rockville, Maryland. Appointees may be a U.S. citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, or non-U.S. citizen who are eligible for valid work authorization. This position is subject to a background investigation.

The application period will begin on 9/28/2026 and end on 10/28/2026.

The successful candidate must possess an M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree (or equivalent doctoral degree) in a health or allied science field relevant to the position from an accredited educational institution, with substantial research experience and expertise in one or more areas relevant to the ABCD Program, including neurodevelopment; developmental and cognitive neuroscience; neuroimaging; mental and physical health; substance use and addiction; behavioral and social sciences; epidemiology; longitudinal and population-based research; and/or related areas relevant to understanding health, development, and well-being across adolescence and young adulthood. Candidates should have demonstrated executive leadership experience in the management of large complex research programs, involving scientific and administrative personnel; as well as a distinguished track record of engaging collaborators of national or international scope and impact.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. A full civil service package of benefits may be available. Relocation expenses will be offered based on eligibility.

Position open until filled. Applications will be reviewed by the search committee starting on November 4, 2026.

DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers. Visit NIH Equal Employment Opportunity site for more information.