Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians at the NIH 1993-2011

1. Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians at the NIH1993-2011 Staff: something that upholds or sustains; the personnel responsible for the functioning of an institution (Webster’s Third International Dictionary)

2. History of Staff Scientists at the NIH • 1990: 50% of tenured scientists judged to be “collaborative” • 1993: Staff Scientist and Staff Clinician intramural professional designation created • 2006: Associate scientist position created

3. History of Staff Clinicians at the NIH • Post-graduate clinicians originally known as “medical staff fellows” or “clinical/research associates” with a large number of commissioned officers • In 1993, distinguished “clinical fellows” from more senior “Staff Clinicians” • In 1997, Straus report recommended grandfathering of some Staff Clinicians as tenured senior investigators

4. Why were the Staff Scientist/Staff Clinician Positions Created? • Federal classification system did not distinguish scientists and physicians with these responsibilities • New system provided clarity to roles of SS/SC and allowed for development of a salary system commensurate with skill and responsibility at NIH • Renewable appointments provided flexibility as science and scientists changed at the NIH

5. Requirements to be a Staff Scientist or Staff Clinician at the NIH(http://sourcebook.od.nih.gov/) • Doctoral degree in a biomedical or biobehavioral science • Must be personally and directly engaged in research • Does not have independent resources or lead a research program, but works independently with minimal supervision by a PI; BSC review is not required • Has essential skills and knowledge needed for the work of the PI’s laboratory or clinical program • Can independently inform themselves of new approaches, technological or otherwise and are knowledgeable about scientific resources at the NIH or elsewhere • For Staff Clinician: must spend majority of time in clinical care • For Staff Clinician: requires a clinical doctoral degree and U.S. clinical credentials

6. St a f f Sc i e n t i s t / St a f f C l i n i c i a n s H i s t o r i c a l D a t a Ye a r 1994 2000 2003 2009 2011 # St a f f 13 594 788 1197 1367 Sc i e nt i s t s # St a f f 0* 129* 193* 258* 232* Cl i n i c i a n s *D o not i nc l ude T 5/ T 38 e m pl oye e s or m e di c a l of f i c e rs i n t he Com m i s s i one d Corps w ho a re f unc t i oni ng a s S t a f f Cl i ni c i a n. PI H i s t o r i c a l D a t a Ye a r 1994 2001 2004 2009 2011 To t a l PI s 1301 1263 1252 1174 1137 In v e s t i g a t o r 156 295 300 265 249 Sr . I nve s t i ga t or 1145 968 952 909 888 Growth in Staff Scientist and Staff Clinician Positions at NIH over time

7. Types of Staff Scientists • “Classical” Staff Scientists in labs • Facility heads (requires national search) • Staff Scientists (Clinical) • Associate Scientists

8. The Associate Scientist Position • The SDs, at their December 6, 2006, meeting agreed to support a new title of Associate Scientist to provide professional recognition for the relatively small number of staff scientists who are functioning at a senior level. • Has a substantial record of achievement; • Plays a major support role within a quality research program; • Has made major contributions to peer-reviewed publications as evidenced by co-authorship on a reasonable number of publications in journals generally acknowledged to be of high quality; • Other evidence of being held in high regard by peers, such as being consulted by others at the NIH or elsewhere for advice and/or assistance; • Received an “Outstanding” rating by the the IC Quadrennial Review Panel for Staff Scientists.

9. Types of Staff Clinicians • “Classical” Staff Clinicians; support a clinical program through patient care responsibilities • Staff Clinicians with some independent resources; may be PIs on clinical protocols • Discussion of two new titles: “Master” Clinician and “Associate Clinician”

10. Evaluation of Staff Clinician Position at the NIH • Given the multiplicity of roles that Staff Clinicians play, there is interest in evaluating the position with the possibility of differentiating different functions • New Deputy Director for Intramural Clinical Research, Steven Holland, has taken this as a priority goal

11. Issues for Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians • What is the career trajectory? • What will be the effect of government-wide salary freezes? • Is there a possibility of the position being made more “permanent?”