Executive Vice President, Co-Director – Neural Dynamics Accelerator

Jobtailor; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Allen Institute seeks a senior scientific leader to co-lead the Neural Dynamics accelerator, shaping strategic direction and operational execution in Seattle. You will coordinate across scientists, engineers, and leadership to align goals, resources, and timelines.

The role emphasizes rigorous research, collaboration, and inclusion, with mentoring of staff and management of large programs. Onsite work is required in Washington State, with responsibility for budgeting and external partnerships.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent in neuroscience, bioengineering, computer science, or a closely related field.
• 12+ years of relevant post-PhD experience in scientific and/or technical leadership role(s).
• 15 years of research leadership with a strong track record of scientific achievement.
• 7+ years of experience leading operational efforts around research.
• 7+ years of direct or indirect supervisory/management experience.
• Experience building, leading, and working across large research programs in nonprofit, academic, industrial, or institutional settings.
• Direct experience and successful record undertaking and managing multidisciplinary and/or matrixed and integrated scientific programs of complexity and scale.
• Understanding of diverse research relationships, operational frameworks, and research networks.
• Expertise in two or more core focus areas.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large research initiatives and mentor diverse scientific teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with ability to engage varied audiences.
• Strong external partner relationship management skills across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries.
• Understanding, appreciation for, and experience with open science principles and practice.
• Ability to productively influence thinking and decision-making across diverse initiatives and stakeholders.
• Ability to work with abstract ideas and situations across various functional areas.
• Bold leadership and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work onsite for the majority of working hours in Washington State.
• May enter laboratory environments with potential exposure to lasers and biohazards.
• Ability to perform fine motor movements and repetitive motions with office and lab equipment.
• Frequently able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or reach.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the Neural Dynamics accelerator's scientific vision and long-range strategic plan.
• Serve as strategist and planner and manage diverse stakeholder input.
• Maintain accountability for people, administration, and operations.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing scientific culture emphasizing rigor, innovation, and inclusion.
• Mentor research staff, group leads, postdocs, and early-career scientists.
• Supervise scientific and operational teams and foster growth and development.

Skills

Neuroscience

Bioengineering

Computational Modeling

Data Acquisition

Neuronal Activity

Optical Devices

Budget Management

Program Leadership

Education

Ph.D./M.D.-PhD equivalent

Tools

Data Storage Platforms

Analysis Systems

Open Science Tools

Job description

• Co-lead the Neural Dynamics accelerator's scientific vision and long-range strategic plan
• Serve as strategist and planner and manage diverse stakeholder input
• Maintain accountability for people, administration, and operations
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing scientific culture emphasizing rigor, innovation, and inclusion
• Mentor research staff, group leads, postdocs, and early-career scientists
• Supervise scientific and operational teams and foster growth and development
• Co-lead Program Management with the Operations Lead to maintain cross-team alignment
• Co-lead the strategic research agenda across neural circuits, neural activity, cognition, behavior, and neuroscience technologies
• Advance tools for recording, identifying, and perturbing neuronal activity
• Develop and advance neuroscience tools, infrastructure, data acquisition, and analysis systems
• Map connectivity between defined cell types across the brain
• Measure and control brain function using optical devices and light-sensitive molecules
• Develop mathematical and computational models of neural circuits and behavior
• Build an open, reproducible, and scalable platform for scientific data storage, analysis, and sharing
• Advise scientific leadership on overall strategy and goals
• Support development and implementation of tools, data resources, and standards
• Partner with scientific leaders and teams on cross-disciplinary projects
• Promote open science through data sharing, publications, and external engagement
• Represent the Allen Institute at national and international forums
• Coordinate collaborative research, translation, and outreach efforts
• Pursue funding and collaborations with internal and external teams
• Operationalize goals, milestones, and timelines with scientific and operational teams
• Oversee budget management, forecasting, and operational efficiency
• Lead annual goal setting and monitor performance metrics
• Identify at-risk deliverables, communicate issues, and implement mitigation strategies
• Collaborate with Legal on intellectual property strategy
• Secure external funding and collaborate with philanthropic, academic, and industry partners
• Coordinate Scientific Advisory Board meetings, Annual Reports, and Annual Budget Reporting

Requirements

• Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent in neuroscience, bioengineering, computer science, or a closely related field
• 12+ years of relevant post-PhD experience in scientific and/or technical leadership role(s)
• 15 years of research leadership with a strong track record of scientific achievement
• 7+ years of experience leading operational efforts around research
• 7+ years of direct or indirect supervisory/management experience
• Experience building, leading, and working across large research programs in nonprofit, academic, industrial, or institutional settings
• Direct experience and successful record undertaking and managing multidisciplinary and/or matrixed and integrated scientific programs of complexity and scale
• Understanding of diverse research relationships, operational frameworks, and research networks
• Expertise in two or more core focus areas
• Demonstrated ability to lead large research initiatives and mentor diverse scientific teams
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with ability to engage varied audiences
• Strong external partner relationship management skills across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries
• Understanding, appreciation for, and experience with open science principles and practice
• Ability to productively influence thinking and decision-making across diverse initiatives and stakeholders
• Ability to work with abstract ideas and situations across various functional areas
• Bold leadership and strategic thinking
• Ability to work onsite for the majority of working hours in Washington State
• May enter laboratory environments with potential exposure to lasers and biohazards
• Ability to perform fine motor movements and repetitive motions with office and lab equipment
• Frequently able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or reach

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in neuroscience, bioengineering, and computational modeling, with a strong focus on leading multidisciplinary research initiatives and fostering collaborative scientific environments. Proven ability to manage complex operational frameworks and engage diverse stakeholders while promoting open science principles.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Ph.D. Or M.D./Ph.D. In Neuroscience
• 12+ Years Of Relevant Post-PhD Experience
• Leadership In Multidisciplinary Research Programs
• Expertise In Neuroscience Technologies
• Strong External Partner Relationship Management

Hard Skills

• Neuroscience
• Bioengineering
• Computational Modeling
• Data Acquisition Systems
• Neuronal Activity Measurement
• Optical Devices
• Mathematical Modeling
• Scientific Data Analysis
• Research Program Management
• Budget Management

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Collaboration Skills
• Bold Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Mentoring Skills

Industry Keywords

• Open Science Principles
• Neuroscience Technologies
• Research Leadership
• Operational Frameworks
• Scientific Advisory Board

Tools & Technologies

• Data Storage Platforms
• Analysis Systems
• Open Science Tools
• Research Infrastructure
• Collaboration Software