Research Collaborations Director

  • 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 Collaborations Director is an essential member of New Harvest's international team. This person is responsible for communicating the latest advances, in cellular agriculture, to external stakeholders and a general audience and developing external partnerships, particularly with principal investigators and industry leaders. Their approach is intrapreneurial and human-centered and adheres to New Harvest’s values of integrity, informed optimism, and inclusive expertise. 

The Research Collaborations Director should have an in-depth understanding of the current state of cellular agriculture, as well as foundational research needed to develop the field. The Director should be a confident and authoritative public speaker and science writer. They excel at strategic thinking and are skilled at developing relationships and collaborations with stakeholders who can help New Harvest further our mission of maximizing the positive impact of cellular agriculture on the world. 

The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and works in close collaboration with the Research Programs Director. The role is full-time and is fully remote.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop Research Collaborations and Grants

  • Outreach to faculty, principal investigators, and industry leaders to help develop strategic collaborations in cellular agriculture

  • Help to define New Harvest’s collaboration strategy and identify good partners

  • Provide consultation to New Harvest stakeholders on their grant and communications strategy

  • Establish a relationship and presence with individuals pursuing biohacking and DIY cell ag solutions

  • Attend professional networking events to share New Harvests’s mission and meet potential collaborators

  • Determine if New Harvest qualifies for government and NGO grants and spearhead grant applications 

  • Building an academic Generosity Network

2. Provide expertise for special projects and industry-wide initiatives

  • Fact-checking organization-wide publications

  • Outreach to the scientific network to inform them of special projects and gain support

  • Scientific and technical stakeholder engagement

3. Science Communications

  • Serve as a subject matter expert, in cellular agriculture, for New Harvest content (e.g. newsletters, social media, educational offerings, etc.)

  • Author white papers, op-eds, press releases, and popular science articles in collaboration with Communications and Media Manager, and scientific audience content strategy.

  • Share New Harvest’s mission and research goals to a broader audience through speaking opportunities at conferences and universities

  • Represent New Harvest by speaking with the media and appearing on podcasts and at special events

Qualifications

  • Graduate-level education (PhD experience preferred) in a field related to cellular agriculture with hands-on laboratory research experience

  • Strong written and oral communications skills, especially related to science communications

  • Technical, practical understanding of laboratory practices

  • Intrapreneurial attitude and work ethic

  • Good group interaction and people management skills

  • Strong organizational skills and analytical skills

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

  • Demonstrated record of initiative, problem solving, and adaptability

  • Strong listening, communication, and collaboration skills

  • 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.