Sr Scientist - SUR

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 127,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision coverage

Retirement plan

HSA

Job summary

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine seeks a Sr Scientist to serve as Principal Investigator, conceiving and leading high-complexity research programs in surgical, trauma, critical care, and related disciplines.

The role includes mentoring staff and developing new technologies, protocols, and multi‑disciplinary collaborations within military medicine. The position focuses on independent research leadership, grant acquisition from DoD/NIH-like sponsors, and

Qualifications

• Proven record of peer-reviewed publications in respected journals.
• Strong understanding of research administration, laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and oversight.
• Exceptional grant-writing and scientific communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain an independent, externally funded research program as PI/Co-PI.
• Conceive and execute innovative basic, translational, and applied research.
• Identify and secure funding from federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners.
• Develop new research initiatives and collaborative projects.
• Provide scientific consultation and technical expertise to investigators and teams.
• Review research concepts, study designs, and grant applications to strengthen rigor.

Skills

Surgical research

Trauma research

Translational research

Grant writing

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

Join the HJF Team! HJF is seeking a

Job Description

HJF is seeking a Sr Scientist who will serve as the Principal Investigator and is responsible for independently conceiving and designing research projects of considerable complexity and difficulty. Supervises projects and investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products, and problems. Develops new technologies and protocols. This position will be in support of the USU/WRNNMC Department of Surgery. The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain an independent, externally funded research program as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator in areas relevant to surgery, trauma, critical care, regenerative medicine, combat casualty care, military medicine, or related disciplines.
• Conceive, develop, and execute innovative basic, translational, and applied research projects that align with the objectives of the HJF-managed research portfolio linked to the Department of Surgery.
• Identify, pursue, and secure funding opportunities from federal agencies, foundations, industry partners, and other sponsors to expand the HJF research portfolio.
• Develop new HJF research initiatives and collaborative projects that enhance scientific productivity and research capabilities.
• Provide scientific consultation and technical expertise to HJF-supported investigators, centers, programs, and research teams.
• Review and provide feedback on research concepts, study designs, methodologies, protocols, datasets, manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications to strengthen scientific rigor and competitiveness.
• Support HJF investigators and research personnel in addressing scientific, technical, regulatory, and operational challenges associated with ongoing research activities.
• Contribute to the scientific development and growth of existing and emerging HJF-managed research programs.
• Provide scientific and technical leadership for HJF-managed research activities linked to the Department of Surgery Core Laboratory.
• Support laboratory operations through development and implementation of research methodologies, technologies, protocols, and best practices.
• Mentor junior HJF scientists and research staff in study design, scientific writing, grantsmanship, and research career development.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaborations among investigators across military, academic, government, and industry organizations.
• Publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals and disseminate results at national and international scientific meetings.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct Supervisor: Direct authority to make decisions on the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, starting salaries and merit increases; conduct employee performance evaluations and directs work activities.

Education and Experience

• Doctoral Degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible research experience following completion of doctoral training.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Recognized expertise in surgical, trauma, critical care, regenerative medicine, biomedical, or related translational research.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in respected scientific journals.
• Strong understanding of research administration, laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and human and/or animal research oversight.
• Exceptional grant-writing, scientific writing, and scientific communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate research programs and provide expert scientific guidance across diverse disciplines.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, interpersonal, and team-building abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive research teams and foster collaborative research culture.
• Ability to effectively communicate with scientific, clinical, military, and executive leadership audiences.
• Experience working in military medicine, combat casualty care research, operational medicine, or Department of Defense-funded research programs preferred.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain all required government credentials and access permissions as applicable.
• Demonstrated success leading independent research programs and multidisciplinary scientific teams.
• Significant experience directing basic and/or translational research laboratories.
• Proven track record of securing and maintaining research funding as Principal Investigator, including federal funding (e.g., NIH, DoD, CDMRP, VA, NSF, BARDA, or equivalent sponsors).
• Extensive experience mentoring research faculty, postdoctoral fellows, residents, students, and laboratory personnel.
• Experience developing collaborative research programs across academic, government, military, or healthcare organizations.
• Prior leadership experience in an academic medical center, military research environment, federal research institution, or equivalent setting strongly preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1 Public Trust background check.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $127,000-$180,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals With Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)