Research Operations Manager

  • Full-time

Company Description

New Harvest is a research institute that accelerates innovation in cellular agriculture. We build the research pipeline that enables knowledge and talent generation in the field. New Harvest brings long-range vision to the space and addresses the fundamentals necessary to elevate the discipline. We support work that is not funded by traditional sources, either because the research is too early stage for industry or because it lies outside the parameters of existing government grants. Our targeted funding is designed to yield effective new biotechnologies for the production of cell-based foods. By funding open science, we directly address the intellectual property-inefficiency that occurs when pre-competitive research is conducted by private companies and excluded from the public domain.

Job Description

The Research Operations Manager is an integral part of New Harvest’s International team and will be responsible for administering New Harvest’s Grant Management System (i.e. Survey Monkey Apply) and executing operations for our fellowship and other grant programs. The Research Operations Manager should have a familiarity with the field of cellular agriculture, as well as graduate student admissions and grant management experience. This person will be responsible for managing, and monitoring systems for bookkeeping and budgeting, executing contracts, disbursing loans, and planning, scheduling, and documentation. The Research Operations Managers should take an intrapreneurial, human-centered, iterative approach to organizing and building capacity in New Harvest’s Research programs.

The position reports directly to the Research Program Director. The role is full-time and can be remote.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Grantee Admissions Onboarding: Coordinate the fellowship and grantee selection and onboarding process 

  • Outreach to new principal investigators and universities to inform them of the fellowship and research grants.

  • Respond to all inquiries about the fellowship and grants programs in a timely and efficient manner.

  • Conduct introductory conversations with potential fellowship applicants 

  • Track all aspects of the grant application and review process and provide regular updates to the New Harvest Team

  • Work with applicants, fellows, and their universities to draft budgets

  • Contact potential external reviewers and ensure they adhere to review standards and deadlines

  • Onboard fellows and ensure they are adhering to the requirements of the fellowship

  • Convey the results of the application process to applicants and the universities where they will be conducting their research 

  • Administer grant contracts

  • Ensure grant conditions have been met and disburse grants to fellows and universities

  • Ensure fellows are regularly reporting their progress and achievements to New Harvest

2. Administration of New Harvest’s Grant Management System 

  • Oversee and administer New Harvest’s Grant Management System / Database (i.e. Survey Monkey Apply)

  • Ensure all data is complete and consistent

  • Maintain and report out demographic and other data related to applicants and fellows 

  • Maintain research budget and forecast funds available for future grants

3. Research Operations

  • Plan meetings, workshops, Lab Meets ( our annual research retreat) and seminars

  • Administering an industry/academic mentoring program for the fellows (and their career development)

  • Implement systems for tracking progress of New Harvest grantees and their projects.

  • Prepare internal and external documents for team members and industry partners

  • Search for and assist with applications for grants for which New Harvest might apply 

  • Provide feedback to the Research Program Director about successes, challenges, and areas for continuing improvement of the admissions process

  • Oversee administration of grants New Harvest receives that support our research initiatives

  • Be the lead organizer and administrator on research-specific efforts of New Harvest

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree and 2+ years experience in higher education admissions and/or grant management preferred
  • Experience with database administration

  • Ability to execute contracts, disburse grants, and track budgets

  • Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills

  • Advanced Microsoft Office, Gmail, Google Calendar, with an ability to become adept with organization-specific programs and software

  • Detail-oriented, well-organized with impeccable multi-tasking abilities

  • Demonstrated record of initiative, problem solving, and adaptability

  • Discretion and the ability to uphold a strict level of confidentiality

  • Ability to foster a collaborative working environment, encouraging the integration of others’ ideas

  • All members of New Harvest’s staff are expected to operate as part of a team without the promotion of personal agendas and to exhibit a commitment to the profession and the organization. All staff must possess integrity, honesty and a sense of humor

Additional Information

New Harvest offers QSEHRA for medical, dental, and vision benefits, parental leave, and unlimited PTO. Start date is negotiable. This position is fully remote and work hours are in EST.

New Harvest is a recognized 501c3 in the US and a registered non-profit organization in Canada. We encourage applicants from Canada and states in which we are registered to do business (TX, CA, NY, MA, PA, MO, NV, and GA).

Initial review of applications will begin the week of 19 October 2020.