Senior Director – Scientific Program Officer

Senior Directors – Scientific Program Officers are members of the HHMI Science Department and play a key role in HHMI’s efforts to evaluate and advance science as well as to reshape the scientific ecosystem to make it more inclusive and supportive for mentees. 

This role focuses on the following areas: 

• Participate in the evaluation of current and future HHMI Scientists, including HHMI Investigators, Freeman Hrabowski Scholars, Hanna Gray Fellows, Gilliam Fellows, and Cech Fellows \

• Support the early career scientists in the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program and the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars Program 

• Liaise with HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholars at universities and research centers across the U.S. regarding scientific and administrative matters 

• Coordinate programmatic and operational initiatives by developing policies for the Science Department that focus on promoting the best possible institutional framework for groundbreaking science that focuses on people, not projects 

• Join the team of Senior Director – Scientific Program Officers who oversee all of HHMI’s early-career scientist programs 

• Work with the Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer to design and implement early career scientist competitions and Freeman Hrabowski Scholar Midpoint Progress Evaluations to ensure that they align with HHMI’s overarching mission, values, and internal policies.  

• Serve as an impactful leader by developing and vetting ideas in collaborative sessions with the Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer and other senior leaders at HHMI to implement actions designed to transform the scientific ecosystem. 

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting early-career scientists and eager to collaborate with HHMI’s Senior Directors, a team of highly committed professionals. This role will allow you to expand your impact to the broader scientific ecosystem in the United States. All aspects of this position draw on your scientific experience and administrative management skills with a strong focus on excellent scientific judgment, interest in supporting early career scientists, commitment to inclusive mentoring, and a collaborative working style. 

Relocation to the Washington DC area is expected. Candidates who do not relocate should live with reasonable commuting distance to allow regular travel to HHMI headquarters for at least 3 days of on-site work per week. Scientists who are currently running academic research laboratories are welcome to apply, but should plan to close their labs within two years of being hired as a Senior Director – Scientific Program Officer so they can be fully engaged with the responsibilities of this role. HHMI will provide direct support to your lab during the time that you are winding down operations. 

What we provide: 

• The opportunity to use your scientific expertise and broaden impact across the scientific landscape through this uniquely positioned role 

• The chance to work with and support outstanding early-career scientists at HHMI 

• Generous salary and benefits package 

What you bring: 

Education 

• M.D. and/or Ph.D. (or equivalent) plus significant experience overseeing research in basic biological and biomedical sciences in an academic research setting is required  

Experience 

• Minimum of 10 years of professional research experience (following first appointment as tenure-track assistant professor or equivalent) and received tenure or equivalent. 

• Experience as a Principal Investigator with current or past funding from nationally competitive grants or contracts from NIH, NSF, and/or other federal agencies or private funders. 

• At least 5 years of administrative experience leading major academic programs or departments, or in comparable roles at research institutes, professional societies, conferences, or scientific journals.  

• Experience in offering effective and inclusive mentoring to scientists at all career stages 

Skills 

• Interest and experience in mentoring early career scientists 

• Passionate about bringing and inclusive mindset to mentoring in HHMI labs 

• Broad scientific interests and excellent scientific judgment evaluating scientific impact 

• Demonstrated leadership ability and administrative management skills 

• Effective decision-making, negotiation, communication, and mediation skills  

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to be collegial and work with a team 

• Excellent analytical and organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously 

• Strength in scientific, programmatic, and policy writing 

• Interest in administrative work to support the work of Freeman Hrabowski Scholars, including collaboration with legal, finance, communications, and human resources teams at HHMI 

• Available to travel to host institutions as needed, including overnight stays during the work week  

• Available to participate in evening activities associated with Science Department and other HHMI events including meetings, workshops, retreats, conferences, and program orientation 

Application Instructions: 

When applying, please attach: 

• A letter of interest that includes a high-level summary of the breadth of your scientific interests and ability to assess science in those areas, your experience in science administration, and a description of how you have supported open science and mentoring for the next generation of scientists. (2-page maximum). 

• A full-length curriculum vitae (CV) (not abbreviated NIH biosketch) 

Physical Requirements:  

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).   

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.  

Please Note:  

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. #LI-RK1 or #LI-EG1