step down at NIH

[GoodTaste]

Francis Collins to step down at NIH: scientists assess his legacyAfter 12 years at the helm of the top US biomedical research agency, the geneticist will return to running his lab by year’s end.

Source: Nature
The phrase "step down at NIH" sounds a bit elusive to me. In my impression, it is usually said "step down from a position" and so in this case, "Collins to step down from the position of being director of NIH." - In short, "to step down as dirctor of NIH."
So "at NIH" seems to me to imply that Collins will step down from the position of director and shift to a lower ranking job (the article says he will lead his lab, rather than retiring). I am not sure. The phrase "step down at NIH" appears to have more hidden meanings that I can't see for the time being.
What does "at NIH" imply at all?

 

[5jj]

It's a headline. In headlines, brevity is sometimes preferred to absolute clarity - though this one seems clear enough to me. He is going to resign/retire from a position of authority at NIH. Which bit of that is not clear to you?

 

[emsr2d2]

What does "at NIH" imply? [STRIKE]at all?[/STRIKE]

"at NIH" simply expresses where he works.

 

[Tdol]

He's famous, so most specialist readers of this journal don't need to be told his job title in a headline- it would consume page real estate and not add much to the knowledge of the reader.

 

[GoodTaste]

He is going to resign/retire from a position of authority at NIH. Which bit of that is not clear to you?

Resigning or retiring means going home. He'll still be there as a leader or princical investigator of his lab.

 

[Tdol]

His lab is not the NIH, and it is a kind of consolation prize for someone of his standing. People like him don't get sacked- they get booted upstairs.

 

[Skrej]

I happened to hear part of an NPR interview he did the other day.

For many years, he has run his own research lab, separate from his leadership duties at the NIH. His primary duties at the NIH however have kept him from doing much with his own private research. Instead of completely retiring from science altogether, he is stepping down from the NIH leadership which will allow him to give his own lab more time and attention. It's essentially his 'hobby' or pet project.

His resignation was not forced. The guy is 71, and decided he wants to focus more on personal work. He also stated that he thinks one person shouldn't serve in a position too long.