Chief Scientific Officer

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute in Detroit seeks a visionary CSO to define scientific strategy and lead breakthrough programs in NF1 and related neurological conditions. The CSO will design and drive NGNRI’s research agenda, recruit and mentor world-class teams, and ensure execution with the highest ethical and scientific standards.

The role encompasses building scalable workflows, fostering collaboration with internal and external partners, and reporting progress to the CEO

Job description

We are seeking an exceptional CSO with outstanding scientific credentials and a proven record of leading and delivering high-impact research in world-class institutions. The ideal candidate will be a leading expert in cerebroids, organoids, assembloids, or other stem cell derived “organ-in-a-dish” systems, with direct experience in automated screening and/or drug discovery applications strongly preferred. This individual will bring a distinguished track record of scientific achievement and success in driving ambitious, complex research programs to completion.

As CSO, you will define the scientific vision for NGNRI, design and lead its research strategy, and ensure execution of programs aimed at breakthrough discoveries in Neurofibromatosis type I and other neurological disorders. You will lead and mentor research teams, fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment, and serve as the primary scientific liaison for external partners. The CSO will also provide regular scientific reporting to the CEO, Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation, and the Board.

Experience in drug discovery through preclinical development is a significant asset. We are looking for a rigorous, curiosity-driven scientific leader who combines bold vision with disciplined execution, and who upholds the highest standards of scientific integrity and ethics while advancing programs with the greatest potential for impact.

About the role

Establish the scientific vision and set the research agenda for curing NF1 at NGNRI

Recruit the necessary talent to achieve the research goals

Design workflows and laboratory infrastructure arrangements to best support the NGNRI research program

Establish an organizational structure of research teams and research team leadership for optimizing progress towards achieving NGNRI research goals

Provide a structure of group meetings, presentations, brainstorming, review of data, modelling using theory and the required structure at the cross-program level to ensure best chances of supporting continual progress by optimal exploitation of results

Be the scientific ambassador of NGNRI reaching out to scientific peers throughout the world and nurturing interest to participate in NGNRI’s guest program

Design the complementation between NGNRI staff research teams (mainly technology focused such as screening, organoid culture, FACS etc) and guest programs (application, mechanistic or translational research)

Establish consultative forums (such as scientific advisory panels) of leading scientific peers to provide input and help guide NGNRI’s research

Together with the NGNRI CEO, promote the attractiveness of NGNRI guest programs to the scientists in leading research organizations and establish partnering programs with their institutions

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines as well operations at the highest ethical standards

About you

Outstanding integrity both personally and with regard to research conduct

Visionary, motivated, able to inspire

Excellent communicator whether in writing, speech or oral presentations

Deferential to diversity, equality and inclusion and able to lead diverse multicultural teams

Someone who will embrace a bold vision and remain loyal to its purpose

Able to unite individuals and build a common agenda

Able to serve as an ambassador of NGNRI and with proven diplomatic skills

An individual with the highest integrity and ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading a research team. Idealy, experience as a CSO, or research group leader or independent research appointment at least at the assistant professor level. Outstanding postdoctoral fellows will also be considered.

Ability to provide research vision and motivate a team

Substantive corroborated experience leading challenging goal-driven research programs

Experience solving problems and overcoming obstacles, flexibility to consider and adopt alternative strategies when needed

Meticulous record keeper and able to nurture all appropriate safeguards by staff for valuable research results

Outstanding interpersonal skills, communication and team-building

Profound understanding and experience translating research vision into experimental programs

Proactive, go-getter with a can-do attitude together with the integrity, care, stringency and stamina to attend to details along the way

Ability to attract and recruit talent

Experience navigating regulatory and compliance requirements in a professional environment is a plus

Experience assuming accountability for projects or research driven initiatives

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI)is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinicalexpertiseto accelerate translational discovery.
Located within a new,state-of-the-artresearch facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.
NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute tocutting-edgescience within a vibrant and expanding hub.

NGNRI is in an early stage of development and relies on support from its founding organization, the Rocket Family of Companies, for some of its infrastructure, including talent acquisition. Like the institute itself, salary ranges and benefits are still under construction—they will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of NGNRI at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. NGNRI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [e-mail].