JDRF's mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.5 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF

BROAD FUNCTION AND SCOPE OF POSITION:

The research scientist will be responsible for building and maintaining an active research portfolio in the area of disease modifying therapies. The candidate will serve as an internal expert for this area and function as a knowledge resource internally and externally. Due diligence and landscape analyses activities are a requisite part of this active portfolio management. Our mission is highly focused on developing therapeutic concepts and strategies so the candidate should have a strong interest in public health and understand the basic concepts of drug development and translational research. The candidate will be expected to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with all stakeholders – scientists, board members, senior management, etc. The qualified individual will directly contribute to the implementation, oversight, and advancement of research projects and activities in several programs with major focus on the immunotherapy portfolio.  The scientist position will report to a Research Director and will participate in all aspects of the JDRF research program including providing scientific input to accelerate the progress of therapeutic areas, contributing to future research strategies aligned with JDRF’s mission, and leveraging opportunities and optimize relationships within the US and international diabetes research communities.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Research portfolio management

• Generating requests for applications (RFA) to address specific needs and gaps of the portfolio.
• Management of external peer review of funding opportunities.
• Active management of ongoing funding opportunities towards advancing the portfolio.
• Assessment of progress and deliverables, provide feedback and mitigation strategies to funded projects, and evaluate go/no go decisions.

Partnerships

• Scouting, securing, and managing research partnerships with industry, other non-profits, governmental agencies, etc.
• Work closely with colleagues in the JDRF T1D Fund and JDRF Research Business Development to evaluate, establish, and manage new scientific partnerships with small and large companies.

Strategy and Planning

• Work closely with the program administrator team to track and plan grants and research budget.
• Contribute to the regular assessment, review, and presentation to the Board of Directors and external scientific advisors of the status of the research portfolio.

·Communication

• Preparation and presentation of due diligence materials to management and JDRF Board of Directors for governance approval purposes.
• Generation and presentation of summary documents to lay and/or expert stakeholders.
• Generation of content for public media outlets in collaboration with internal Marketing and Communications team.
• Presentation of JDRF Research and priorities and special topics to both lay and expert audiences

REQUIREMENTS & COMPETENCIES: 

• Experience in the mechanisms of autoimmune disease highly desired
• Working expertise in one of the following areas is highly desirable:
  • Preclinical drug development
  • Human Immunology
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines demonstrated by strong organizational skills and a detail-oriented nature.
• Exceptional collaboration and relationship-building skills. Ability to interface with all staff and volunteers. Must develop, maintain, and cultivate relationships.
• Demonstrate creativity and ability to think strategically regarding scientific and technical opportunities or roadblocks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Superior active listening, observation, analytical, problem recognition and solving skills.
• Solid publication record

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. in immunology, pharmacology, cell biology, or similar field required. Post-doctoral experience (2+ years) in a disease focused or drug development laboratory.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.