Scientific Program Director (PhD) - Genetics & Genomics Research

Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at Mount Sinai; New York (NY); On-site; USD 115,000 - 173,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at Mount Sinai seeks a Scientific Program Director to provide high-level scientific, regulatory, and operational leadership across multiple research programs. The role partners with faculty, staff, and external collaborators to manage proposals, grants, and program milestones from development to reporting.

The Senior Research Program Manager oversees complex initiatives, coordinates regulatory submissions, supervises data reporting to BioMe and

Qualifications

• PhD in Genetics, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field required. Master's degree with significant experience in scientific research administration may be considered.
• 5–8 years supporting academic biomedical research programs.
• Experience with NIH-funded grants and sponsored research administration.
• Experience preparing and drafting grant applications, progress reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Experience coordinating complex multi-investigator research programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrative and scientific contact for multiple research programs and complex multi-investigator initiatives, supporting studies utilizing both in vitro cellular systems and in vivo mouse models.
• Collaborating with PIs to coordinate project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements for federal and nonfederal funded research programs.
• Coordinate scientific meetings, advisory committee meetings, program reviews, and collaborative working groups by preparing agendas, assembling meeting materials, documenting action items, and tracking follow-up activities.
• Work closely with Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP) to coordinate collaborations among investigators, institutional departments, and external research partners.
• Assist investigators with scientific preparation and submission of federal and non-federal grant applications.
• Coordinate preparation of RPPRs, Just-in-Time submissions, supplements, and sponsor-required documentation.
• Preparation of data request submissions and annual progress reports to BioMe and public repositories (e.g. dbGaP, NIAGADs, NCRAD, UK Biobank).
• Partner with departmental pre-award and post-award grants administration teams to assist with budget development, monitor expenditures, review financial reports, identify spending trends, and ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines and institutional policies.
• Prepare, coordinate,and maintain regulatory documentation including IRB, IACUC, eSafety, biosafety, and other institutional compliance submissions, ensuring research activities remain compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Track protocolapprovals, continuing reviews, amendments, and compliance deadlines.
• Coordinate research operationsincluding equipment acquisitions, facilities coordination, service contracts, and laboratory logistics.
• Develop SOPsand administrative workflows that improve operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and mentoring of research personnel and junior administrative staffincludingscreening candidates, interviewing technical staff, and working with HR on hiring and Labor Relations on termination.
• Participates in departmental initiatives, operational planning, and other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong scientific background

Project management

Organizational skills

NIH funding knowledge

Regulatory documentation

Education

PhD in Genetics or related field

Master's degree with relevant experience

Tools

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

Microsoft Office

Research administration software

Job description

The Scientific Program Director provides high-level scientific, regulatory, and operational leadership in support of science research programs within the assigned department. Working closely with Principal Investigator, faculty, research staff, trainees, institutional offices, administration, and external collaborators, this individual manages complex research initiatives from proposal development through execution and reporting.

The position serves as the primary administrative partner to faculty and trainees for sponsored research activities, including grant development, regulatory compliance, scientific reporting, project coordination, and research operations. The Senior Research Program Manager oversees multiple concurrent research programs, facilitates multidisciplinary collaborations, monitors project milestones and deliverables, coordinates regulatory submissions, and develops systems that support efficient and compliant research administration.

This role requires a strong scientific background in genetics, neuroscience, molecular biology, or related discipline, exceptional organizational and communication skills, and the ability to translate complex research objectives into effective operational plans.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrative and scientific contact for multiple research programs and complex multi-investigator initiatives, supporting studies utilizing both in vitro cellular systems and in vivo mouse models.
• Collaborating with PIs to coordinate project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements for federal and nonfederal funded research programs.
• Coordinate scientific meetings, advisory committee meetings, program reviews, and collaborative working groups by preparing agendas, assembling meeting materials, documenting action items, and tracking follow-up activities.
• Work closely with Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP) to coordinate collaborations among investigators, institutional departments, and external research partners.
• Assist investigators with scientific preparation and submission of federal and non-federal grant applications.
• Coordinate preparation of RPPRs, Just-in-Time submissions, supplements, and sponsor-required documentation.
• Preparation of data request submissions and annual progress reports to BioMe and public repositories (e.g. dbGaP, NIAGADs, NCRAD, UK Biobank).
• Partner with departmental pre-award and post-award grants administration teams to assist with budget development, monitor expenditures, review financial reports, identify spending trends, and ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines and institutional policies.
• Prepare, coordinate,and maintain regulatory documentation including IRB, IACUC, eSafety, biosafety, and other institutional compliance submissions, ensuring research activities remain compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Track protocolapprovals, continuing reviews, amendments, and compliance deadlines.
• Coordinate research operationsincluding equipment acquisitions, facilities coordination, service contracts, and laboratory logistics.
• Develop SOPsand administrative workflows that improve operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and mentoring of research personnel and junior administrative staffincludingscreening candidates, interviewing technical staff, and working with HR on hiring and Labor Relations on termination.
• Participates in departmental initiatives, operational planning, and other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education Requirements

PhD in Genetics, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field required. Master's degree with significant experience in scientific research administration may be considered.

Experience Requirements

• 5–8 years supporting academic biomedical research programs.
• Experience with NIH-funded grants and sponsored research administration.
• Experience preparing and drafting grant applications, progress reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Experience coordinating complex multi-investigator research programs.
• Background in genetics, genomics, neuroscience, or molecular biology strongly preferred.

General Skills and Competencies

• Strong scientific background with the ability to interpret biomedical research.
• Knowledge of NIH funding mechanisms and grant administration.
• Experience preparing IRB, IACUC, eSafety, and regulatory documentation.
• Excellent scientific writing and editing skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and research administration software.
• Experience using Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) or similar procurement and financial management systems is preferred.

Employer Description

Strength through Unity and Inclusion

The Mount Sinai Health System is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to excellence. We share a common dedication to delivering outstanding patient care. When you join us, you become part of Mount Sinai’s unparalleled legacy of achievement, education, and innovation as we work together to transform healthcare. We encourage all team members to actively participate in creating a culture that ensures fair access to opportunities, promotes inclusive practices, and supports the success of every individual.

At Mount Sinai, our leaders are committed to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We strive to create an environment where collaboration, fairness, and continuous learning drive positive change, improving the well‑being of our staff, patients, and organization. Our leaders are expected to challenge outdated practices, promote a culture of respect, and work toward meaningful improvements that enhance patient care and workplace experiences. We are dedicated to building a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and advance professionally. Explore this opportunity and be part of the next chapter in our history.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer, complying with all applicable federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate, exclude, or treat individuals differently based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, students, trainees, patients, visitors, and the communities we serve feel respected and supported. Our goal is to create a healthcare and learning institution that actively works to remove barriers, address challenges, and promote fairness in all aspects of our organization.

Compensation

• The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) provides salary ranges that comply with the New York City Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $115494 - $173241 Annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and operational need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.