Scientific Program Manager - Integrated Metabolic Biology

Allen Institute; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 137,050 - 171,250; Full time

Job summary

The Allen Institute in Seattle, WA invites applications for a Scientific Program Manager within the Integrated Metabolic Biology (IMB) initiative. You will manage multiple collaborative projects, coordinate with scientific leadership, and drive programmatic strategy across the institute.

Applicants should have a PhD in biochemistry or related field, 3+ years in program management, and experience with budgets, external funding, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology or related field.
• 3 years of professional project or program management experience.
• Experience with project management, collaboration management, communication, and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate IMB program goals and drive cross-team collaborations.
• Plan annual goals and manage program portfolios with leadership.
• Coordinate and support project goals using best practices and tools.
• Create and share program deliverables, timelines, and risk mitigation.
• Lead meetings with clear agendas and track outcomes.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders and funding applications.
• Oversee budgets, contracts, and sub-award management.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR, Communications, and leadership.
• Ensure IP considerations are understood and contract obligations met.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology or related field

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Project management tools

Job description

Scientific Program Manager – Integrated Metabolic Biology

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi‑disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

Join our Integrative Metabolic Biology (IMB) initiative, aimed to expand the intersection of cell biology, immunology, and brain science. Our mission is to integrate mitochondrial and metabolic biology with cell physiology modelling, immune system function and inflammation, and brain and neuronal mapping to better understand health, aging and disease processes.

We are seeking a Scientific Program Manager to join our team in supporting this mission. This position, reporting to the Director of IMB, will provide both programmatic and project level support to simultaneously manage several collaborative projects and teams. The successful candidate will possess a strong scientific foundation in metabolic research, have exposure to working with large and complex data sets, and will have demonstrated experience as a professional Program/Project Manager.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly. We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the IMB Program Manager to facilitate accomplishing the ambitious scientific goals of the initiative and drive collaborations across the Allen Brain, Cell and Immunology Accelerators
• Work with scientific leadership on strategic planning and development of annual goals and program portfolios
• Drive, coordinate, and support the scientific goals of IMB projects using best practices and tools
• Create, maintain, and disseminate program and project deliverables and timelines. Keep milestones on track, anticipating and communicating at‑risk deliverables
• Work with team members to identify options and implement mitigation strategies
• Organize and lead program and project meetings with clear agendas, expected outcomes, follow‑up on project‑related actions and performance tracking metrics
• Enable communication between internal and external project stakeholders
• Provide clearly written status/progress reports, coordinating information across internal teams and external partners when appropriate
• Partner with scientific staff to assist with development of competitive external funding applications (Federal and Private)
  • Ensure that Grants Management best practices are followed
  • Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Research and support post‑award execution of externally funded efforts in audit‑compliant fashion including contracts, sub‑awardees, budget tracking/variance reporting, prior approval requests, carry forward requests and agency reporting
• Work closely with and manage internal Allen Institute relationships with Finance, HR, Communications, and other Institute leaders to oversee the overall portfolio and objectives
• Work closely with the legal team to ensure contractual obligations are understood and met within the collaboration, and Intellectual Property potential is evaluated

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education And Experience

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology or related field with demonstrated success working in complex scientific projects; or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 3 years of professional project or program management experience
• Experience in the use of project management, collaboration management, communication, and reporting tools

Preferred Education And Experience

• A strong fundamental understanding of metabolism and metabolic signaling
• Experience in immunology or neurobiology
• A team player and a natural leader with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; able to navigate challenging group dynamics, work effectively across scientific, technical, and business interfaces
• Proven success in establishing and maintaining external, strategic, scientific, collaborative relationships
• Detail‑focused and organized, with an understanding that communication and transparency are critical to achieving success
• Strong financial acumen, adept at developing and managing budgets, and monitoring performance metrics
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, proactively and with agility in a complex scientific environment
• Ability to build internal alignment, influence others, and manage differences effectively
• Ability to recognize cultural differences between industry and academia, and quickly identify and resolve conflicts
• Understand and apply Change Management best practices
• Formal Project Management training and/or PMP certification
• Proficiency using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools, and in the statistical analysis of complex data

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Work Environment

• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel or reach
• Laboratory atmosphere – possible exposure to chemical, biological or other hazardous substances

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role requires onsite work and is expected to work onsite for the majority of the working hours. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State

Travel

• Visits to collaborator sites and attendance at national conferences may be required

Annualized Salary Range

• $137,050 – $171,250*
• Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.