Senior Scientist I- Program Manager

Conditions. Workplace Diversity, LLC.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Wellbeing resources

Gym reimbursements

Job summary

The Wyss Institute at Harvard University seeks a collaborative program manager with strong scientific acumen to lead complex, multi‑team research programs. You will oversee day‑to‑day activities, integrate technical operations, and ensure reporting milestones are met under the guidance of senior leadership.

You will coordinate with the PI and government funders, manage budgets, and ensure compliance across labs and subcontractors in a fast‑paced, translational environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, or engineering.
• Six+ years in project/program management with multidisciplinary R&D teams.
• Experience managing complex research grants/contracts and supervising CROs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to ensure integrated, efficient execution of award requirements across teams.
• Serve as primary liaison with the funding agency and coordinate program activities with Wyss Research Administration.
• Develop and manage program schedules and budgets; oversee regular reporting.
• Ensure good laboratory practices and data management across teams; manage protocols (IACUC, IRB, COMS, ESCRO).
• Assist in data transfer, invention reports, and collaboration with IP and tech transfer teams.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional teams

Grant management

Scientific acumen

Budget management

Education

Advanced degree in life sciences/engineering

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Wyss Institute at Harvard University?

The Wyss Institute’s mission is to transform healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. We harness the imagination of academia and the focus of industry to translate ground‑breaking technologies into commercial products that solve big problems. We support research that universities, companies, and venture capital firms don’t fund because they view it as too risky. We prefer to use the word “challenging,” and we love challenges. For more information discover our technologies, catch up on our recent news, or watch our latest videos.

Job Description

About you:

You are a collaborative program manager with significant scientific acumen and experience in meeting program goals on a defined schedule. You haveexperience working with managing complex research and development grants or contracts, as well as supervising Contract Research Organizations, while ensuring that program reporting requirements, milestones and deliverables are met. You want to be a part of a dynamic team dedicated to tackling an ambitious program in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial-minded environment with resources and support from top‑notch scientific, operations, and administrative professionals. You enjoy working with highly motivated, diverse teams and leveraging your expertise to create innovations that can change the world.

About this role:

Reporting to the Principal Engineer‑Program Management and working under the scientific direction of the Principal Investigator on the program, you will serve as one of the main contacts with the government agency that funds this program. Working closely with the Principal Investigator and senior scientific staff, you will be responsible for the day‑to‑day oversight, integration, and coordination of all program activities, including technical operations, administrative infrastructure, and reporting requirements to ensure the efficient planning, initiation, implementation, direction, and completion of the program.

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location requiring on average 3 days per week on site with some remote work options available.

What you'll do:

Program Leadership:

• Provide high level organizational leadership and scientific support to the Principal Investigator and Senior Staff lead to ensure integrated and efficient execution of the award requirements across all contributing teams
• Serve as one of the primary points of contact with the funding agency for the program of work and all related award activities
• Develop proficiency for managing complex sponsored awards with comprehensive understanding of award mechanisms, engaging with government sponsors, and coordinating appropriate roles with Wyss Research Administration team.
• Oversee development of all award reporting requirements including regular program review presentations as well as monthly, annual, and final written reports per award requirements
• Develop and execute Gantt charts for management of program schedule and/or budget; work with Wyss Research administration to support and fulfill all program budget requirements
• Regularly review and manage budgets in coordination with Wyss Research Administration team
• Ensure good laboratory practices and data management across all teams, serve as a resource and contact for the Institute’s lab and data management teams
• Oversee and organize all relevant IACUC, IRB, COMS, and ESCRO protocols, in partnership with Clinical team
• Maintain a list of all MTA, NDAs, and points of contact with industrial, investor, foundation, and government collaborators relevant to the award; ensure all are up to date and in place when needed
• Ensure compliance of Wyss team and subcontractors with all relevant sponsor requirements as well as manage Quality Assurance and Data Management Plans
• Manage transfer of data files, development of technology transfer packages, and delivery of any other required materials to funding agency
• Assist research team in preparation of reports of invention, patent submissions, and technology translation working closely with the Wyss intellectual property and business development teams, as well as Harvard's Office of Technology Development

Scientific Contribution and Support:

• Provide scientific support for teams and serve as a resource to consult, advise and troubleshoot scientific challenges and opportunities that arise
• Help to coordinate scientific insights and knowledge across teams toensure that learnings are shared to promote an integrated and shared, scientific knowledge base.
• Recruit outside experts, consults, and engagements when needed to deepen scientific understanding, incorporate new scientific methods, execute critical work efforts, and/or identify new opportunities to improve experimental protocols
• Identify additional collaborators or funding opportunities to promote the translation of new fundamental insights and manage relationships with vendors, subcontractors , and contract research organizations
• Assist researchers in the experimental design, data analysis, writing, and preparation of figures for manuscripts, abstracts, posters, other publications of research findings, and additional related grant applications

Team Engagement and Integration:

• Maintain dynamic collaborations with open communications among all interacting technical teams to ensure Program success.
• Motivate and inspire team. Provide advice and mentorship to all team members.
• Work closely with senior technical staff members to ensure appropriate human resource allocation to ensure adequate staffing and expertise across teams to achieve grant objectives. Identify, recruit and nurture relationships with internal and external experts to advance the scientific agenda when needed.
• Cultivate a culture of open innovation to rapidly identify and troubleshoot any problems or barriers to the research agenda so that solutions may be identified and implemented in a timely manner.

Qualifications

What you'll need:

• Advanced degree in a life science, medicine and/or engineering required.
• A minimum of six years’ experience performing project management or related work with multidisciplinary research and development teams in the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and/or other industry. A PhD/MD may count towards years of experience.

Desirable skills:

• Prior program management of ARPA-H, BARDA, DARPA, or other large U.S. government-funded projects strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success in leading and working in cross-functional teams
• Excellent management, organizational, documentation, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced translational environment and able to troubleshoot problems to ensure objectives are met on time and on budget

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Why you’ll like working with us:

At the Wyss Institute, you’re a member of a supportive, dynamic community that is united by its shared goal of changing the world through groundbreaking technology development and commercialization. We encourage your professional growth and development through mentorship and tuition reimbursement to support continued learning, and more. We also support your physical, financial, and mental well‑being through generous time off benefits, gym reimbursements, and other programs offered through Harvard. Our facility is located in a new, state‑of‑the‑art life sciences building in the lively Fenway neighborhood, where you have access to multiple amenities including a roof top terrace with stunning views of Boston and proximity to numerous restaurants and cultural attractions. We value an inclusive and diverse workforce, and believe that our differences enrich the work environment for all.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non‑Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work‑life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.