Associate Scientific Program Manager – Studio D3

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The Allen Institute is searching for an Associate Scientific Program Manager for its new center for Data-Driven Discovery, Studio D3. Studio D3 develops and applies cutting-edge theoretical models, analytical frameworks, and scalable computational methods to extract principles that govern biology from multimodal biological data. The Allen Institute has collected and openly shared some of the largest datasets in life sciences. By integrating computation, data science, and quantitative modeling into the research ecosystem, Studio D3 helps drive discovery across diverse biological disciplines.

The Associate Scientific Program Manager role is designed for an individual with strong leadership capabilities, a collaborative spirit, and a solid scientific foundation. This individual will work at the interface of multi-disciplinary teams of computational scientists, engineers, and experimentalists, supporting high-impact internal and grant-funded initiatives. Reporting to the Associate Director of Operations, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing programmatic and project-level support to a portfolio of innovative, data-intensive research projects bridging the various teams across the Allen Institute and partners around the world. As an effective communicator, this role will promote momentum and build consensus to drive impact at the intersection of computational science and biological research.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• In partnership with scientific leads, serve as a Program Manager to facilitate accomplishing the ambitious scientific goals of the program and drive cross-departmental communication
• Work with scientific leadership on strategic planning and development of annual goals and program portfolios, to meet the team’s scientific milestones
• Work with Studio D3’s leadership team to develop and implement a process for selecting, funding, and managing internal and external research collaborations
• Drive, coordinate, and support the scientific goals of programs and projects using best practices and tools
• Create, maintain, and disseminate program and project deliverables and timelines. Keep milestones on track, anticipating and communicating at-risk deliverables. Work with team members to identify options and implement mitigation strategies
• Organize and lead program and project meetings with clear agendas, expected outcomes, follow-up on project-related actions and performance tracking metrics
• Enable communication between project stakeholders. Provide an efficient and flexible collaborative environment to manage internal and external team communication and collaboration
• Synthesize inputs into clearly written status/progress reports, coordinating information across internal teams and external partners when appropriate
• Partner with scientific staff to develop applications for external funding (Federal and Private). Ensure that Grants Management best practices are followed and partner with the Office of Sponsored Research to support post-award execution of externally funded efforts in audit-compliant fashion including contracts, sub-awardees, budget tracking/variance reporting, prior approval requests, carry forward requests and agency reporting
• Contribute to fiscal management of funded collaborations and projects, including budget planning, resource forecasting, expenditure monitoring

*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.*

Required Education and Experience

• Ph.D. degree in biology, biomedical science, neuroscience, or related fields with demonstrated success working in large and complex scientific projects; or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• Minimum of one years’ progressive relevant post-PhD experience with a demonstrated ability to successfully execute the requirements of the position with minimal oversight
• Advanced ability to translate scientific and technical subject matter into concise, clear communications that are understood by technical and non-technical leaders and constituents
• Proficient in the use of program and project management, collaboration management, communication, and dashboard/reporting tools, such as MS Teams, SharePoint, and Smartsheets
• Impeccable organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Experience with grant submissions and scientific writing
• Demonstrated ability to multitask amongst multiple projects simultaneously
• Commitment to contributing to team-based science
• Experience working with a cross-disciplinary team of scientific researchers and computational biologists

Preferred Education and Experience

• PhD in the biological sciences (particularly neuroscience, cell science, or immunology) or computational discipline with greater than five years progressive relevant post-PhD experience
• Experience as a program officer or manager and experience interacting with federal funding agencies and developing successful applications for external research funding
• A confident leader and self-starter able work both independently and collaboratively, fostering productive team dynamics. Adept at working effectively across scientific, technical, and business interfaces at all levels of an organization
• Strategic thinker. Solves complex problems and can lead in identification and implementation of potential solutions
• Strong financial acumen, adept at developing and managing budgets, and monitoring performance metrics
• Skilled in keeping sight of the bigger picture despite distraction, setting expectations and priorities accordingly
• Comfortable with change, having demonstrated personal resilience, along with the ability to help others on the team navigate the transitions. Understands and applies Change Management best practices
• Formal project management training and/or PMP certification is highly desired
• A team player and leader with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; able to navigate challenging group dynamics, work effectively across scientific, technical, and business interfaces

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently able to work a hybrid work schedule with the flexibility to work up to three days remotely per week. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Travel

• Attendance and participation in national and international conferences may be required

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity does not offer visa sponsorship**

Annualized Salary Range

$117,900 - $147,350 *

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.