Senior Director - Scientific Officer

Primary Work Address: 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815

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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge to benefit us all. As a biomedical research organization and philanthropy, HHMI supports a vibrant community of academic researchers, educators, students, and administrative professionals. Together, we’re unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.

HHMI’s Headquarters is located on a beautiful 40-acre campus in the greater Washington DC metro area that is home to over 300 employees with strong cross-departmental collaboration between biomedical, legal, human resources, communications, information technology, investments, science education, and more.

The HHMI Science Department supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation, and you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.

Summary:

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) seeks an academic scientist interested in an outstanding professional opportunity to serve as a Senior Director – Scientific Officer at HHMI. Applicants must hold, or have previously held, a tenured academic position or equivalent role, and must have a minimum of 10 years of experience as a lab head overseeing basic biomedical research. This is a full-time appointment that requires weekly on-site work at HHMI’s headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD.

Senior Directors – Scientific 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, and Gilliam Fellows. This includes working with the Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer to design and implement competitions and reviews to ensure that they align with HHMI’s overarching mission, values, and internal policies.

• Liaise with HHMI Investigators 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. Senior Directors – Scientific Officers also interact with HHMI leadership across departments to coordinate institute operations.

• 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. These sessions lead to decision making and implementation of actions designed to transform the scientific ecosystem.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about advancing science and eager to collaborate with a team of highly competent professionals. This role will allow you to expand your impact to the broader scientific ecosystem in the United States. (click here for a list of current Scientific Officers).

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 a reasonable timeframe so they can be fully engaged with the responsibilities of this role.

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 scientists at all career stages 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 mentoring to scientists at all career stages

Skills

• Broad scientific interests and excellent scientific judgment evaluating scientific impact

• Demonstrated leadership ability and 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

• Ability to mentor and/or advise HHMI scientists and support staff at all career stages

• Strength in scientific, programmatic, and policy writing

• Interest in administrative work to support the work of HHMI scientists, 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)

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more. 

Compensation Range

$246,093.12 (minimum) - $307,616.40 (midpoint) - $399,901.32 (maximum)

Pay Type:

Annual

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal consistency when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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