Job Description

Senior Program Officer, Drug Discovery, Biology

Working closely with other global programs, the Discovery & Translational Sciences program aims to create and improve preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions for infectious diseases as well as other conditions that affect mothers, infants, and children. We do this by identifying and filling gaps in scientific knowledge, creating or implementing new technology platforms that can accelerate research in support of our goals, and investing in potentially transformative ideas. This may include: channeling resources into creating more practical (affordable, scalable, deliverable) versions of existing tools and developing transformative new tools where none exist, as well as speeding the translation of scientific discovery into implementable solutions, seeking better ways to evaluate and refine potential interventions before they enter costly and time-consuming late-stage clinical trials.

Our areas of focus include vaccines, drugs, maternal & child health, and control of disease-transmitting vectors.

Position Summary & Responsibilities

We are currently recruiting a Senior Program Officer (SPO) to join the Therapeutics team. The SPO will work closely with the Deputy Director and other team members to shape and execute the foundation’s discovery program aimed at identifying and evaluating new therapeutics that address global health needs. With a background in biology, s/he will have depth and breadth of experience and knowledge in the field of antimicrobial drug discovery. In particular, s/he will support the tuberculosis and malaria programs. S/he will help to create a productive and collaborative culture of innovation in and translation of basic research into practical health solutions and be passionate about solving problems and addressing questions relevant to our mission.

Specifically, the SPO will be responsible for the following activities:

• Conceptualize, articulate and shape priorities in specific drug discovery areas
• Develop and manage grants and contracts portfolio to meet strategic objectives
• Contribute to foundation knowledge capture, evaluation, learning, and dissemination
• Represent the foundation and program to the external world related to position responsibilities

Reports to: Deputy Director, Discovery Therapeutics

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate should have a PhD or other relevant terminal degree with deep knowledge and experience in:

• Biology
• Infectious disease research, preferably in tuberculosis or malaria.
• Minimum 10 years of experience working in relevant field, preferably gained in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

Coupled with experience in one or more of the following areas preferred:

• Cellular and molecular biology of host-pathogen interaction.
• Strong research, analytical, critical thinking skills as well as the ability to organize and synthesize information are required. Proactive and flexible nature with reliable follow-through and great attention to detail.
• Demonstrated outstanding written and oral communication skills in positions requiring communications in a broad and diverse audience on a range of complex technical issues.

Scope of work will require primary residency in the Seattle, Washington area.

Note : Applications are open until the position has been filled. To apply, please follow the link provided.