Program Officer - Biomedical and Health Sciences Program

National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine in Washington, DC, seeks a Program Officer to manage workshops and related activities spanning neuroscience, neurodegenerative disorders, and drug research and development.

You will coordinate project strategy, content development, budgets, schedules, and stakeholder engagement to ensure deliverables meet objectives.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of biomedical and health sciences.
• Strong program and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze complex scientific, technical, and policy information and communicate clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to engage experts with differing perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Manages workshops, meetings, and related projects with supervision.
• Develops agendas, engages presenters, and coordinates logistics and summaries.
• Collaborates with sponsors from federal, state, and industry organizations.
• Prepares and edits background papers, reports, and workshop outputs.
• May supervise project staff and provide day-to-day direction.

Skills

Biomedical knowledge

Program management

Communication

Facilitation

Judgment

Multitasking

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D. preferred

Job description

Job Description Summary

THE PROGRAM 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.

***COVER LETTER REQUIRED***

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. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including 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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

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.

The National Academies: An Overview

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.