Senior Director, Science Operations (Chicago)

The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago ( is an independent nonprofit research institute that brings together three powerhouse universities - Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - into a single collaborative technology and discovery engine. CZ Biohub itself supports some of the brightest, boldest engineers, data scientists, and biomedical researchers to make breakthroughs in medicine and develop new technologies, frequently in collaboration with our partner universities. We are guided by our values of scholarly excellence; disruptive innovation; hands-on engineering/hacking/building; partnership and collaboration; open communication and respect; inclusiveness; and opportunity for all.

Our Vision

• We pursue large scientific challenges that cannot be pursued in conventional environments
• We enable individual investigators to pursue their riskiest and most innovative ideas
• The technologies developed at CZ Biohub Chicago facilitate research by scientists and clinicians at our home institutions and beyond

Diversity of thought, ideas, and perspectives are at the heart of CZ Biohub Network and enable disruptive innovation and scholarly excellence. We are committed to cultivating an organization where all colleagues feel inspired and know their work makes an important contribution.

The Opportunity

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and our network of Biohubs are dedicated to accelerating the pace of biomedical research to help cure, prevent, or manage all disease. We are launching a new scientific program to tackle some of the toughest challenges in modeling, predicting and engineering the human immune system.

This new, large-scale initiative will serve as an integrative engine across CZI Science and our Biohub Network in San Francisco, New York, and Chicago, uniting their unique data generation capabilities with our strengths in AI and technology. We are seeking a Director of Science Operations to be an operational leader for this program, ensuring our groundbreaking science is matched by operational excellence.

This is not traditional PMO role. You will be a strategic partner, embedded directly within the scientific mission, responsible for driving the execution and fostering the collaborative culture needed to achieve our ambitious goals.

What You'll Do

• Drive Scientific Portfolio & Resource Strategy: Lead the data-driven process for resource planning, budget management, and strategic prioritization across the VIS portfolio. You will provide the critical analysis that enables leadership to make informed decisions, ensuring our investments in data generation, AI modeling, and technology are aligned for maximum scientific impact.
• Lead Network Integration: Serve as the primary operational leader connecting the Biohubs and CZI's core technology teams. You will proactively identify dependencies, clear roadblocks, and build the durable connective tissue required for a seamless, multi-site research collaboration.
• Foster a Culture of Execution and Collaboration: Champion a positive but practical culture that balances ambitious scientific discovery with the discipline of execution. You will mentor team members, facilitate transparent communication, and ensure that a spirit of open science and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.
• Serve as a Strategic Partner to Leadership: Act as a key advisor and thought partner to the VIS scientific leadership team. You will represent the operational health and progress of the initiative in leadership forums and help shape its strategic direction.

You have

• A Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD (preferred) in a relevant scientific or engineering field (e.g., Biomedical Engineering, Immunology, Computational Biology) combined with 10+ years of demonstrated experience in strategy, operations, and team leadership within life sciences, biotech, or a complex research organization.
• A proven ability to create and lead operational systems from scratch. Deep experience leading cross-functional teams and complex programs, particularly those at the intersection of biology and computation/AI.
• Exceptional financial acumen and experience managing multi-million dollar R&D budgets and performing complex resource planning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to gain credibility quickly, lead through influence, and motivate teams across multiple sites and disciplines.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of open science and a deep alignment with the mission and values of CZI and the Biohub Network.

Compensation

The Chicago, IL base pay range for this role is $152 to $228. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.

What We Provide

• Resources to disrupt and innovate at the frontiers of our knowledge of biology and disease
• A collegial and collaborative environment consisting of diverse expertise
• Access to collaborators, resources and facilities at our three partner universities (Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and at partner organizations in Chicagoland and beyond
• Competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with the experience

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

We offer a robust benefits program that enables the important work Biohubbers do everyday. Our benefits include healthcare coverage, life and disability insurance, commuter subsidies, family planning services with fertility care, childcare stipend, 401(k) match, flexible time off and a generous parental leave policy. In addition, we honor our commitment to career development and our value of scholarly excellence through regular onsite opportunities to learn from the world's leading scientists.

The CZ Biohub Network is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity of thought, ideas and perspectives. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive organization where all Biohubbers feel inspired and know their work makes an important contribution. Therefore, we provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. The CZ Biohub Network does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes. The CZ Biohub Network will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with the CZ Biohub Network.

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