Research Project Manager- Computational Sciences | Kumar Lab

Research Project Manager- Computational Sciences | Kumar Lab

Psychiatric conditions have strong genetic influences. The Kumar Lab at JAX in Bar Harbor seeks to understand the genetic underpinnings of complex behavioral disorders using the mouse as a model system. We are a group of geneticists, neuroscientists, computer scientists, and statisticians working at the confluence of animal behavior, genetics, and artificial intelligence to address this important societal problem.

We are seeking a Research Project Manager to plan, facilitate, execute, and deliver projects within agreed-upon timelines, resources, and objectives. In the field of scientific research, the efforts of a project manager are focused upon the efficient and timely use of staff, equipment, funding, and other resources to pursue scientific aims as defined by scientific project sponsors. Due to the inherently uncertain nature of scientific discovery, a research project manager must employ tools and techniques that can support and enable frequent adjustments to project timelines, priorities, and tasks, all the while maintaining sight of the objectives.

A Research Project Manager focuses on the highly efficient use of sponsor and resource time through lightweight project processes and documentation and extremely focused and effective project meetings. This individual also employs strong interpersonal skills to establish and cultivate vibrant collaboration, communication, and cooperation among the members of the project team. This position requires an in-depth and detailed understanding of scientific and experimental approaches for achieving research goals, leading-edge methods and technologies in scientific software development and testing, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with available project tracking and communication tools.

Responsibilities:

• Project leadership - takes responsibility for understanding at a basic level the scientific aims of sponsor(s) and collaborator(s), and for coordinating all members of the team associated with a project. Project leadership includes taking ownership for keeping the project moving forward, including identifying any blocking issues, unclear priorities, and/or lack of sufficient resources.
• Project planning - documents at a high level the major objectives and milestones associated with a project, members of the project team and their roles and commitment level on the project and works with scientific/technical team lead(s) to map out tasks and timelines to achieve the goals.
• Project communication - Establishes and coordinates the events and methods associated with communicating project information. This includes regular team meetings and individual break-out meetings to address issues, and associated meeting minutes. May also include coordinating sub-team meetings and daily standups. Maintains and distributes regular updates on project status to collaborators/sponsors.

• Project delivery - provides ongoing monitoring and documentation of:
  • Research objective and task priorities and their statuses
  • Resources and their availability; this may include staff, funding, equipment, etc.
  • Decision points, with a focus on ensuring they are made in a timely manner
  • Periodic and final review of sponsor satisfaction

• Project administration - accounting activities associated with projects, including monthly reporting as required for grants accounting and services billing.

Qualifications:

• BS degree in Life or Computer Science with at least 4 years direct experience managing projects in a scientific/research environment.
• Formal Project management training.
• Understanding of and experience in project management, such Agile, Lean, or other iterative project management methods.
• Experience in project management and documentation tools such as Jira, Confluence, Kanban
• Understanding of and experience in a combination of biological science, genetics, genomics, computer science, software development, and overall the scientific method.
• Excellent oral, digital, written and listening communication skills
• Interpersonal relationship skills sufficient to allow incumbent to effectively lead others, to develop consensus among those holding disparate opinions and to work effectively with individuals and groups made up of people representing a diversity of levels and degrees of sophistication.
• Ability to manage expectations of collaborators and managers and motivate team members to execute and deliver.
• Ability to manage timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to organize, manage and monitor multiple projects to successful completion, adapting to shifting priorities in a high-pressure environment.

Pay Range: $68,344 - $109,350 per year, depending upon experience.

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California),Japan andChina. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visitwww.jax.org.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.