Program Fellow, Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with up to 10% match

6 weeks paid time off

Job summary

A leading philanthropic organization in Palo Alto is looking for a Program Fellow specializing in condensed matter physics and quantum materials. This role involves designing grant solicitations, managing relationships, and contributing to strategic goals. Candidates should have a PhD and at least five years of relevant experience, strong organizational skills, and excellent communication abilities. The position offers a salary between $125,000 and $135,000 annually and includes generous benefits.

Qualifications

• Five-plus years of relevant post-PhD work is preferred.
• Experience leading a research program in various settings is a plus.
• Solid understanding of the research enterprise in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Help design and run Initiative grant solicitations.
• Become deeply familiar with the Initiative’s strategic framework.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation plans.

Skills

Strategic planning skills

Excellent organizational skills

Strong teamwork and people skills

Exceptional communication skills

Education

PhD in condensed matter physics

Job description

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation was established by Gordon and Betty Moore to create positive outcomes for future generations. Guided by the Statement of Founders' Intent, the foundation fosters environmental conservation, scientific discovery, and the preservation of the San Francisco Bay Area. We strive to make significant and durable impacts on the world.

We honor our founders' vision and serve as stewards of the resources entrusted to us. We establish strategies, build partnerships, and measure results to drive meaningful change.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an accomplished scientist with expertise in condensed matter physics and quantum materials to join our Science team as a Program Fellow in the Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative. The role offers a unique opportunity to help launch the next phase of the Initiative, supporting discovery‑driven research on quantum materials. You will report to the Initiative Program Director, collaborate with the EPiQS team, shape the Initiative’s grant portfolio, advance its strategic goals, and engage the broader research community through a strict two‑year fixed‑term appointment.

Location: Palo Alto, California. The position requires a hybrid work model with onsite presence minimum four days a month, plus additional onsite presence during board meetings. A fully remote arrangement is not available.

Key Responsibilities

• Help design and run Initiative grant solicitations. Working closely with the Initiative team, the Fellow will:
  • Draft the call for proposals, define application requirements, and ensure the submission process runs smoothly.
  • Answer applicants’ questions in a timely manner.
  • Help with outreach to ensure broad and inclusive participation.
  • Recruit expert reviewers, coordinate peer review, manage panels, and synthesize evaluations.
  • Communicate decisions and provide feedback to applicants.
  • Set up grants awarded through solicitations.
  • Track progress and impact, and incorporate lessons learned into subsequent solicitations.
• Become deeply familiar with the Initiative’s overall strategic framework and contribute to its implementation.
• Maintain solid knowledge of relevant fields and emerging trends.
• Contribute to activities beyond grantmaking to drive change in the Initiative’s focus areas (e.g., convening, facilitating, networking, communicating).
• Help improve and implement effective monitoring and evaluation plans for the Initiative.
• Coordinate with internal staff to complete grantmaking and monitoring processes.
• Involve light to moderate travel, typically no more than three trips per year.

Experience and Qualifications

• PhD in condensed matter physics with substantive research expertise in quantum materials.
• Additional expertise in another area of quantum science (e.g., quantum information, sensing, or optics) is a plus.
• Five-plus years of relevant post‑PhD work is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading a research program in an academic, industry, non‑profit or government setting is a plus; demonstrated capability of obtaining competitive research grants is preferred.
• Solid understanding of the research enterprise at major universities and leading research institutions in the U.S.

Competencies

• Strategic planning skills and rigorous analysis of opportunities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with proven ability to set realistic goals and drive projects to completion.
• Strong teamwork and people skills, developing productive relationships with colleagues, grantees, stakeholders, and others.
• Experience in meeting organization and facilitation.
• Can‑do spirit and a disposition to get things done.
• Personal motivation to support the foundation’s mission and goals.
• Ability to view big picture and long‑term goals while keeping short‑term tactics in mind.
• Exceptional communication skills, including listening, speaking, and writing.
• Flexible, creative, and positive approach to problem solving in a collaborative team environment; comfortable with ambiguity and productive tensions.

Attributes

• Committed to Excellence
• Passionate
• Collegial
• Open and Honest
• Humble and Self‑Aware

Compensation and Benefits

The Moore Foundation provides a generous total compensation package that includes a competitive salary ($125,000–$135,000 per year) and a wide range of benefits. These include employer‑paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; a mental wellness program; paid parental leave; disability and life insurance; and pre‑tax flexible spending accounts. Employees receive 6 weeks of paid time off per year, 10 paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with up to 10% foundation match and a Roth 401(k) option, a matching gifts program, a home‑office stipend, and commuter benefits. In addition, a professional development program offers an annual financial benefit of $5,000 and paid time off for educational programs.