Dr. John J. McGowan
A Global Mission
NIH Scientists collaborate with organizations and researchers from around the globe to find solutions to the world's health problems. As a part of the Department for Health and Human Services (HHS), NIH Institutes and Centers concentrate on an area of science or health. Dr. McGowan works with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which researches some of the world's top health issues including HIV/AIDS, influenza, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), bioterrorism, and immune system research.
On the Cutting Edge
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are often on the cutting edge of research being done around the globe. Studies funded by NIH are being published every day. NIH researchers are sharing their new discoveries with colleagues, the public, and the world. Many of these discoveries will serve as building blocks for the health solutions of the future.
Career Enrichment
The training opportunities for scientific and administrative aspects of research are as diverse as the backgrounds of our scientific staff and their needs. Here at NIH, the overall organizational culture focuses on continuing learning and collaboration. Employees can attend many scientific lectures on campus or join a Scientific Interest Group. All staff may take advantage of classes and courses offered by the HHS University, the NIH Training Center, and the Center for Information Technology.
Make a Difference
When we spoke with a diverse range of NIH employees about why they came to the NIH and why they stay, their number one response was the NIH mission. Whether you are providing administrative support or are a nurse working directly with patients in the Clinical Center, the NIH mission touches all of us as employees, as a family member of those affected by disease, or as a patient.
Other reasons people join us at the NIH include the breadth and depth of resources available to staff, the stability of funding, intellectual stimulation and mentoring, the potential for collaboration, and the flexibility to pursue a different career path within the same organization.
Advance in Your Career
NIH develops training to target competencies needed at all levels of the organization from communication to problem-solving. There are also several occupation-specific competency programs and leadership/management competency development available.
As a Federal employee at the NIH, you can take advantage of our employment benefits, which include health, life, and long-term care insurance.
Also, the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association offers employees many opportunities for connecting and participating in sports, clubs, and other leisure activities.
Creating an impact
Dr. John J. McGowan provides leadership for scientific and extramural policy issues. Over the many years he has been with the NIH, he has been repeatedly recognized for his contributions to AIDS research, NIAID, and the NIH.
Work in a Team
Generational diversity is only one kind of diversity that makes the NIH a unique place to work and is one of the reasons NIH was named to AARP's 2008 Top 50 Best Places to Work.
NIH staff has the opportunity to collaborate, not just with their peers but with many of the different business areas that make up each Institute or Center. Employees are offered a variety of opportunities to work on special projects and continue to grow in their career or area of interest.