Program Officer - Biomedical and Health Sciences Program

National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Retirement and savings benefits

Paid holidays

Paid personal leave

Transportation subsidies

Education assistance

Job summary

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine seeks a Program Officer to manage workshops and related activities spanning neuroscience, neurodegenerative disorders, and drug R&D. Collaborate with experts, sponsors, and National Academies staff to ensure objectives, content quality, and deliverables are met.

Role may supervise staff and requires strong analytics and communication skills. Hybrid work environment with onsite duties; travel may be involved.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of biomedical, technical, or policy issues in health sciences.
• Strong program management, including scope, schedule, budgets, and deliverables.
• Ability to analyze complex info and communicate clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation skills for engaging experts with differing views.

Responsibilities

• Manage workshops, meetings, and related projects with oversight.
• Coordinate agendas, presenters, and deliverables; monitor budgets and schedules.
• Support committee formation, materials, and liaison with National Academies entities.
• Research and write background papers, summaries, and reports for audiences.
• Supervise project staff and provide day‑to‑day direction.

Skills

Program management

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Budget management

Facilitation skills

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D. in related field

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Biomedical and Health Sciences Program addresses issues spanning basic biomedical, translational, clinical, and health sciences research, development, and policy. The program also examines workforce issues, bioethics, legal and societal considerations, and the resilience and health security of communities.

The OPPORTUNITY

In consultation with a supervisor, the Program Officer manages workshops and related activities in areas such as neuroscience, neurodegenerative disorders, and drug research and development. Through these activities, the Program Officer brings together experts and stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and the public to examine complex scientific and policy issues from multiple perspectives, facilitate constructive dialogue, build shared understanding, and produce evidence‑informed workshop products that capture key perspectives and inform future research, policy, or practice. The Program Officer is responsible for coordinating project strategy, content development, budgets, schedules, stakeholder engagement, and deliverables to ensure assigned projects meet their objectives. The position works closely with experts, sponsors, and colleagues across the National Academies and may supervise or provide day‑to‑day direction to project/program staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Manages assigned workshops, meetings, and related projects in collaboration with a supervisor, ensuring alignment with project objectives, scope, schedule, and budget. Manages the planning and execution of convening activities, including development of agendas, engagement of presenters and participants, oversight of meeting logistics and multimedia presentations, and preparation of written summaries and other deliverables. Collaborates with experts and sponsors from federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, academic institutions, and other organizations, and represents the program within and outside the National Academies.

COMMITTEE MANAGEMENT

Where applicable and with senior study director oversight, supports committee formation and operation by identifying potential nominees, preparing appointment materials, coordinating with committee chairs and members, and assembling research and background information. Facilitates timely information sharing among committee members, consultants, staff, and other participants and serves as a staff liaison between committees and the National Academies.

RESEARCH AND WRITING

Conducts and synthesizes background research to support workshops, meetings, and other program activities. Prepares and edits background papers, technical summaries, reports, workshop summaries, and other written products for internal and external audiences. Supports review and publication processes by coordinating revisions, responding to editorial comments and concerns, and preparing final materials for publication. Related duties and special projects may be assigned as needed.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

May supervise project/program staff with oversight from a senior project director. Provides day‑to‑day direction, guidance, and feedback to assigned staff, establishes clear expectations, supports staff development, and ensures consistent application of organizational policies and procedures.

COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION

Plans and implements communications and dissemination activities, as appropriate, to extend the reach and usefulness of project work. Develops and maintains substantive project materials for websites, social media, and other communication channels; communicates scientific and technical information clearly to relevant audiences; engages external organizations and stakeholders; and supports report production and dissemination activities.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Contributes to the development of new and continuing work under senior staff guidance by researching emerging topics, developing prospectuses and proposals, identifying potential sponsors, and supporting fundraising efforts. Where applicable, maintains relationships with funders, members, alumni, and other external partners.

COLLABORATION AND TEAMWORK

Builds and maintains productive working relationships with colleagues across the National Academies and with external experts, sponsors, and other stakeholders. Collaborates across organizational and disciplinary boundaries to support effective project execution, expert engagement, and achievement of program objectives.

REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues relevant to biomedical and health sciences. Strong program and project management skills, including the ability to manage scope, schedules, budgets, stakeholders, and deliverables. Ability to analyze and synthesize complex scientific, technical, and policy information and communicate it clearly to diverse audiences. Strong facilitation skills, including the ability to engage groups of experts with differing perspectives, support productive discussion, and translate technical and strategic dialogue into useful project outputs. Ability to exercise sound judgment, identify and resolve complex project issues, and work with appropriate independence within established institutional policies and guidance. Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain attention to quality, deadlines, and project objectives. Ability to build productive working relationships and collaborate effectively with colleagues across the National Academies and with external experts, sponsors, and stakeholders. Ability to provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and support for staff development when assigned supervisory or staff‑coordination responsibilities.

Education: Master's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge required. Degree or experience in neuroscience, neurodegenerative disorders, drug research and development, or related biomedical and health sciences fields preferred.

Preferred Education: Ph.D. in a related field.

Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Typically reports to a Senior Program Officer or Director. General direction is provided. May supervise project/program staff with oversight by a Director/Senior Program Officer.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off‑site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits

An estimated compensation range for this position is $92,040 - $115,040. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits‑eligible position.

• medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified. Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Job Family: PROG Employee Type: Employee Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5 City/State: Washington, District of Columbia

Welcome! The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.

View our Publications: The National Academies Press

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.