Scientific Officer, Neuroscience Collaborations (New York)

The Scientific Officer helps shape and manage the Neuroscience Collaborations research portfolio, which currently includes over 150 scientists worldwide engaged in investigator-initiated collaborative research efforts in basic neuroscience. This research portfolio spans a wide range of basic neuroscience research, from molecular and cellular, circuit and systems, to computational neuroscience. The Scientific Officer is responsible for implementing the strategic and operational objectives of their assigned portfolio. This includes overseeing pre- and post-award grantmaking activities, including, but not limited to, reviewing grant proposals, monitoring and evaluating grantee performance, serving as the primary point of contact with grantees in their portfolio, and, in collaboration with a Senior Scientific Officer, convening scientists for workshops and meetings, preparing new Request for Applications, facilitating scientific peer-review panels and making funding recommendations to Neuroscience Collaborations leadership. The Scientific Officer will also contribute to the development of strategic program plans within their portfolio and will help enable the utilization of shared data by researchers worldwide.

This full-time position is based on-site in the Simons Foundation offices in New York City. For more information, visit simonsfoundation.org/careers.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Maintain and advance scientific expertise. Stay abreast of relevant science by reading scientific literature, attending external scientific conferences and meetings, and communicating regularly with funded investigators on a range of topics related to their portfolio
• Support the management of the Neuroscience Collaboration’s grant portfolio including designing RFAs, overseeing grant review, making funding recommendations, and following progress of funded grants as the assigned Scientific Officer for their portfolio
• Contribute to planning efforts to convene scientists to address scientific questions, discoveries, and opportunities of relevance to the portfolio by planning and hosting meetings and workshops
• Assist with strategic thinking and planning efforts aimed at advancing the mission of the Neuroscience Collaborations. This includes helping to set scientific priorities for new neuroscience collaborations, assisting with the design of strategies to increase pathways to science in basic neuroscience, advancing scientific collaboration and data sharing, and identifying opportunities to partner with other organizations
• Collaborate with the Simons Foundation Informatics team to facilitate collaborative research and further open science
• Partner with the SFARI team and the Flatiron Institute, to create opportunities for collaboration on scientific topics of mutual interest
• Work with the Early Career program team on all early career initiatives relevant to their portfolio to support programs aimed at increasing pathways to science
• Coordinate closely with the Autism and Neuroscience administrative team and with various teams across the Simons Foundation
• Serve as a responsible fiscal steward of Neuroscience Collaboration’s resources in relation to designated portfolio
• Contribute content to the Simons Foundation’s website, including pieces about research within the assigned portfolio, scientific priorities, publications, etc.
• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required

Specific Projects

• Serve as the Scientific Officer for the Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB)
• Assist with Annual Courses and Conferences RFA
• Contribute to Autism and Neuroscience Early Career Portfolio
• Support planning for future Neuroscience Collaborations
• On as-needed basis, contribute to SFARI RFA Reviews
• Participate in standing and ad hoc Autism and Neuroscience and SF-wide meetings, including strategy focused meetings
• Travel to attend external scientific conferences and meetings to keep current on scientific updates/advances relevant to portfolio

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• A Ph.D. in neuroscience, biology, mathematics or a related field and/or M.D. degree is required

Experience

• Strong scientific background in a field relevant to basic neuroscience
• Minimum of three years of experience following doctoral degree preferred. This can be as a postdoctoral fellow in a research lab or work experience in a scientifically relevant field (e.g. scientific program management, communication and publishing, grantmaking and review, policy, biotechnology and industry)

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Ability to think broadly and critically about scientific problems and experimental approaches
• Strong operational acumen and project and time management skills with the ability to manage competing requests and solve complex problems
• Willingness to learn and use relevant grants and program management software tools
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in grant review and management and in sensitive communications
• Understanding of and adherence to conflicts of interest policies in grant review
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong commitment to enhancing scientific understanding of basic neuroscience research
• Team player who can build excellent working relationships both internally and externally. Commitment to a supportive and positive team culture
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability
• A commitment to open science and increasing pathways to science

Required Application Materials

• Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position

Compensation And Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $125,000–$155,000, depending on experience
• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package

About Neuroscience Collaborations

The Simons Foundation Neuroscience Collaborations support and convene scientists to address fundamental questions about brain function. Launched in 2014, the Neuroscience Collaborations currently support three large collaborative projects - The Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain, the Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain, and the Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience. The Neuroscience Collaborations enable bold, creative and innovative research. We prioritize cross-disciplinary collaborations that integrate many levels of analysis, methodologies, ways of thinking and scientific communities. The Simons Foundation Neuroscience Collaborations are part of the Autism and Neuroscience division of the Simons Foundation along with the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) and Informatics.

Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.