The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is planning to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for research focused on the discovery and development of small molecule and biologic non-addictive analgesic therapeutics to treat pain. This study is part of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative. The goal of the program is to accelerate the optimization and development of promising early therapeutic molecules and to facilitate readiness for Phase II clinical studies. The scope of this program spans early optimization through Phase I development activities. Key aspects of the job include: * Discovery and development of non-addictive analgesic therapeutics * Focus on small molecules and biologics * Collaboration with NIH-funded consultants and contract research organizations (CROs) * Milestone-driven, phased, cooperative agreement program * Exclusion of basic research, therapeutic device development, and clinical studies beyond Phase I studies