Project Manager Lead (1 year term)

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 126,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition benefits

Job summary

Northwestern University’s CSB Center for Syn Bio seeks a full-time Project Manager to oversee the DREAM cloud lab initiative. You will manage budget, schedule, and scope, develop the Node Execution Plan, and coordinate with NU CSB faculty and staff to hit milestones.

The role blends cell-free workflows, robotic automation, ML-driven design, and data infrastructure, with biosafety considerations. The ideal candidate will have strong project management expertise, experience in cell-free protein

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a 4-year degree or higher with relevant experience.
• 6 years managing IT and related infrastructure projects or relevant equivalent experience.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management credential.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning and resource coordination across projects and programs.
• Develop and maintain project documentation and governance.
• Create SOWs, charters, and project plans.
• Provide leadership on program status updates and reporting.
• Supervise staff and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Address scientific and engineering challenges to improve efficiency.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Organizational skills

Machine learning

Lab automation

Cell-free systems

Biotechnology workflows

Data-driven initiatives

Education

Ph.D. in bioengineering, chemical biology, molecular biology, or related field

3–5+ years managing complex multidisciplinary programs

PMP certification or equivalent

1+ years managing multidisciplinary programs

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Location: Evanston, Illinois

Department: CSB - Ctr for Syn Bio

Salary/Grade: ITS/83

Responsible for the coordinated management of multiple related projects, and in many cases, ongoing operations, which are directed toward a common objective. Works with constituent Project Managers to monitor cost, schedule, and technical performance of component projects and operations, while working to ensure the ultimate success of the program. Determines and coordinates the sharing of resources among constituent projects to other overall benefit of the program. Partners with stakeholder management to ensure project success.

The AI-Driven, Rapid, Experimental Automation Machine (DREAM) Cloud Lab for Protein Engineering aims to be a national user facility that will accelerate the engineering of proteins for a range of important biotechnology applications spanning manufacturing, materials, medicine, waste recycling, agriculture, food, mining and more. Through creating and operating an automated cell-free protein synthesis and characterization wet-lab, connected through an AI-directed protein design-build-test-learn framework, DREAM will enable users from across the U.S. to engineer custom proteins in rapid, automated, accessible and reliable steps instead of the months to years required with current practices. DREAM will be housed in the Northwestern Center for Synthetic Biology (NU CSB), a world-renowned center for engineering impactful biotechnologies.

DREAM is seeking a full-time Project Manager who will work in close partnership with the Node Director, Professor Julius Lucks, to manage the budget, schedule, and scope of the DREAM project. This role will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the Node's Project Execution Plan, a comprehensive document that defines project governance, development approaches and tailoring, stakeholder engagement and communications, scope, schedule, cost strategy, risk and issue management, compliance requirements, and related information.

The Project Manager will also play an active role in addressing scientific, engineering, and management challenges to increase DREAM's operational efficiency and scale. The position will help drive seamless execution across several core areas, including cell-free protein synthesis, wet lab workflows, robotic automation, computational protein design, data infrastructure, and biosafety/biosecurity systems. The Project Manager will supervise DREAM's scientific and computational staff and collaborate closely with NU CSB faculty leads, trainees, and staff across core areas to track progress, coordinate activities, and ensure achievement of project milestones.

The ideal candidate combines expertise in cell-free synthetic biology, protein engineering, and experience with machine learning with strong formal project management expertise, enabling them to work across multidisciplinary teams to build and scale DREAM.

This is a one-year term position with an opportunity for renewal based on performance and available funding.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with organizational leadership to ensure projects and programs are executed in accordance with area's priorities and mission.
• Provide consultation to prospective customers.
• Coordinate with functional managers for resource planning.

Administration

• Oversees development and maintenance of project documentation.
• Oversees management of resources and project progress; generates reports, requirement specifications, contracts, schedules, communication, records, meeting agendas, minutes and status reports.
• Create and maintains appropriate level of rapport with stakeholders

Development

• Maintains overall program or project repositories for lessons learned, templates, and project archives.
• Develops high-level reports.
• Develops SOWs, project charters, and project plans.

Performance

• Provides leadership regarding program or project status updates.
• Manages document repositories.

Supervises

• Provides work direction and/or supervises staff such as team members, subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
• Recommends staff hires/terminations.
• Coaches and mentors staff.
• Manages projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met and meet expectations.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 6 years managing Information Technology (IT) and related virtual and physical infrastructure projects or other relevant experience required.

Certification/Licensure

• PMP

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and continuously improve project management and technology development procedures and processes based on industry-standard best practices, efficient operations and successful delivery of project objectives on time and within budget.
• Strong working knowledge of experimental workflows (e.g., protein engineering, molecular biology, automation platforms, cell-free systems)
• Proven ability to bridge technical teams and contribute meaningfully to troubleshooting and system design
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex goals into structured, actionable execution plans
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to operate effectively in dynamic, fast-paced environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in bioengineering, chemical biology, molecular biology, or related technical field
• 3 to 5+ years of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary scientific or engineering programs
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent advanced project management credential
• 1+ years of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary scientific or engineering programs
• Demonstrated experience in lab automation, cell-free protein synthesis and characterization, biotechnology, synthetic biology, or related environments
• Experience managing program budgets, coordinating cross-functional teams, and overseeing data-driven initiatives.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience working with machine learning models for biological systems and large experimental datasets

Target hiring range for this position will be between $126,000-$140,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parentalleave;tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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