Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The American Cancer Society works to end cancer as we know it for everyone through the efforts of its employees and volunteers. The Senior Associate Scientist (Program Manager) supports the Scientific Director by managing research grant application and peer review processes, active grant portfolios, program development, and relationships with scientific stakeholders and grantees.
Responsibilities
- Manages all aspects of the confidential peer review process and distribution of grant applications in assigned Research Program
- Manages the assignment of applications to the appropriate program based upon required expertise for review
- Ensures that accurate application information is maintained in appropriate databases
- Partners with the Scientific Director in the recruitment of new reviewers. With input from SD, identifies and recommends distinguished scientist reviewers for membership on Peer Review Committees (term and ad hoc). Works with Scientific Director to extend invitations and finalize the PRC
- Supports external scientific reviewers through the review process, including use of grant review website (e.g. proposalCentral)
- Facilitates use of all departmental operational systems for peer review. Create agenda and rosters, organize, and distribute all working documentation needed for peer review meetings
- Plans and manages dates, times, agenda details for peer review meetings
- Manages processes to ensure that critiques are edited on a timely basis and provided to all grant applicants along with information regarding funding potential
- Employs critical thinking, problem solving, and thoughtfulness to support and enhance the peer review process
- Participates in all Peer Review Committee meetings within the Scientific Program and assists as needed and when feasible in other Extramural Discovery Science peer review meetings
- Manages activities required for the stewardship and administration of active grants
- Processes grant modifications as allowed by ACS policy, including no-cost extensions, change of institution
- Manages information, deliverables, and communications in the Post Award Management System related to their program
- Supports Impact and Engagement team in ongoing portfolio evaluation by securing appropriate data to track grantee productivity including publications, presentations, promotions, awards, and other metrics
- Participates in and supports new program development activities; participates with SD in drafting new Requests for Applications relevant to assigned Scientific Program
- Interfaces with Discovery Operations team who build applications in proposal central, post information on cancer.gov, release information to potential applicants
- Interacts with Discovery Operations team to identify policy inconsistencies and leads efforts for policy changes and modifications
- Develops and maintains of a strong professional working relationship with potential applicants and all grantees in the active portfolio. Must define and execute strategies to engage with grantees within the program
- Leverages professional relationship with portfolio grantees to assist the Research Engagement Manager and Regional staff
- Utilizes online platforms (i.e., Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TheoryLab, etc.) to build relationships with potential applicants, current and former grantees in their respective program and interface with the research community
- Serves as a well-informed and highly responsive primary point of contact for applicants, grantees and representative of the American Cancer Society in virtual and in-person meetings and symposia
- When requested, prepares written summaries of research grants for use in digital content by Marketing and Communications or for use by Philanthropy to aid in fund-raising
- Reports to directly to the Scientific Director and, working under minimal supervision
- Works with the Operations Group on all pre- and post- award activities
Skills
- Masters or PhD degree required in health-related science, basic science or public health disciplines
- Masters with >5 years or PhD with 3-5 years minimum work experience in related fields
- Other majors will be considered based upon relevance and/or work experience
- Excellent computer skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft software for PCs and Outlook; ability to learn proprietary database software used by the department
- Capacity to adapt quickly to new technologies and work processes
- Ability to search, utilize and integrate multiple types of information found on various internal and external databases and other resources include our department Society Source, Twitter, RITS, TheoryLab, Stakeholders database, Proposal Central, Pubmed, cancer information database, etc
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team setting with knowledge and skill to prioritize projects, requests, and assignments appropriately to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines; ability to work in a team environment to meet program and department goals; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, must be organization and detail oriented and able to manage data and information with a high level of accuracy
- Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills; the ability to work effectively and courteously with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
- Demonstrates a strong orientation to constituent service including a commitment to timely follow-up
- Ability to recognize and manage confidential documents and information professionally and in keeping with business unit practices
- Knowledge and ability to function as a representative for the Program Office with internal and external stakeholders
- Willingness to establish or improve critical skill sets necessary to benefit operations of the department
- Work is typically performed in a hybrid home/office work environment
- Limited travel as necessary
- No or limited physical effort required
- No or extremely limited exposure to physical risk
- Prior experience in grants or research program management, research grant submission process and grant or science writing and medical and scientific terminology preferred
- Project management skills or experience preferred
- Previous experience with grant peer review, grant submission, grant management such as serving on a research team, managing a grant program or experience with research subjects' administration desired
Benefits
- A generous paid time off policy
- Medical benefits
- Dental benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Wellness programs
- Professional development programs to enhance staff skills
- This is a remote position
- Work is typically performed in a hybrid home/office work environment.
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