Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, is stepping down at the end of the year.

While the news is not exactly surprising, Fauci previously indicated that he would stay on through Biden’s presidency.

Fauci, 81, announced Monday that is not retiring per se, but leaving government service in pursuit of other career goals.

“While I am moving on from my current positions, I am not retiring,” Fauci said in a statement. “After more than 50 years of government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field.

“I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats,” he added.