Scientific Program Manager, African Genomics Program

Roche; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare company is seeking a Scientific Program Manager to lead genomic projects in Johannesburg. The role requires a Ph.D. or MS in a relevant field with 4+ years of experience, strong project management capabilities, and the ability to communicate effectively. The successful candidate will manage complex collaborations and ensure the successful execution of research initiatives. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to significant healthcare advancements.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MS with relevant experience in genetics or biology.
• At least 2 years project management experience post-PhD.
• Excellent planning and organization skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage genomic collaborations and project timelines.
• Oversee data flows and operational activities.
• Ensure timely delivery of programs with results.

Skills

Project management

Genetic data analysis

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Ph.D. in human genetics or related field

Master's degree with relevant experience

Tools

Project management software

Statistical analysis tools

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come.

Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love.

That’s what makes us Roche.

The Opportunity

The Genentech/Roche African Genomics Program invites applications for a highly motivated and team-oriented Scientific Program Manager. The selected candidate will join the African Genomics Program to serve as both a scientific and overall project manager on multiple genomic collaborations to enable and accelerate novel research on the African continent and beyond.

• An understanding of genetic or multi-omic datasets is critical for this role, including understanding the use and analysis of whole-genome sequencing data. Strong organizational and communication skills and experience managing complex projects are also required.

• In addition to managing scientific projects, the successful candidate will also be responsible for overseeing various operational activities including data flows and data transfers.

• The role is a key strategic partner that drives the successful execution of cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and program roadmaps. The role will facilitate collaboration across teams, manage complex program structures, and guarantee timely delivery of programs with quantifiable results.

Key Challenges

• Management and tracking of multiple interdependent projects with different collaborators and stakeholders.

• Management and organization of data flows including coordinating with people in the informatics, computational biology, software development, and information infrastructure space

• Ensure on-time program delivery by managing across related project timelines and workflows.

• Manage the overall portfolio of projects and health of the program - identifying risks and escalating issues as needed to ensure project success.

• Consistently communicate program plans, progress, risks, changes, and successes with clarity and objectivity. Drives a high degree of accountability across program teams and groups in order to meet objectives and foster effective collaboration.

• Responsible for the overall program budget.

• Liaise with teams working on global procurement, service agreements and local contracts, act as PPOC on AGP for these internal collaborators

• Awareness of both scientific and business interests for external collaborations and ability to foresee potential risks and roadblocks, developing solutions for project success

• Operating with a high degree of autonomy and professionalism; successfully prioritize workload in accordance with business goals

• Represent Roche and the African Genomics Program with outside scientific collaborators, both academic and corporate

• Oversee alignment across multiple teams or functional groups in effort to meet the objective of key business initiatives.

Who You Are as an Ideal Candidate

• A Ph.D. or MS + 4 yrs experience in human genetics, translational biology, or similar scientific fields

• Project management experience requirements: At least 2 years post PhD; 3-5 years post Masters degree; or 5 - 7 Years post Bachelors degree

• Possesses and can demonstrate fundamental program management skills, including the ability to define objectives, develop timelines, organize tasks related to multiple projects, and meet goals in a timely manner

• Excellent planning, prioritization, and organization skills including the ability to monitor and track activities, goals, and usage of resources

• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate what pieces are necessary and sequence them in order to support a successful project, from planning to execution

• Proven ability to identify potential risks, mitigate them, and execute solutions

• Fluent in tools to influence and motivate with or without authority, facilitate groups with diverse perspectives, bring teams to consensus/alignment

• Ability to work independently, multi-task, and synthesize large amounts of information to empower teams to make decisions in line with business goals and take action

• Strong writing skills, particularly for writing scientific proposals and generating slides for collaborators and stakeholders

• Clear and professional communication skills to interface with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders across multiple research fields

Preferred

• Experience in industry and/or biotechnology settings and/or public health/policy

• A record of scientific publications in respected journals in these fields, germline genetic knowledge necessary to carry out the above responsibilities

• Fluency in French or Portuguese a plus

• Africa-based candidates strongly preferred (location preference: Nairobi, Johannesburg/Cape Town)

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.