NIH Rehires Researcher Fired After Raising Safety Concerns

Reversing course, the government’s premier health research agency has reinstated a medical safety expert who was fired after raising allegations of scientific misconduct and sexual harassment in federal AIDS research, his lawyer said Friday.

The National Institutes of Health’s reinstatement of Dr. Jonathan Fishbein settles a two-year battle that prompted congressional and federal investigations. It also drew attention to a class of researchers and safety experts the government initially said didn’t deserve whistle-blower protections.

Fishbein alleged that he was fired for raising safety concerns in government AIDS research. NIH said he was fired for poor performance, though he had been recommended for a performance bonus weeks before he was notified of his termination.

Fishbein was formally reinstated as special assistant to the deputy director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, but he is unlikely to ever return directly to that office.

Fishbein is to look for a new assignment in government but has been returned to the federal payroll, according to government officials.

Fishbein’s lawyer confirmed the rehiring.