Job Title: Research Portfolio Manager
Status: Full-Time Position
Reports To: Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
Supervisory Responsibility: n/a
Location: Downingtown, PA Office, Remote/Hybrid option available
Travel requirements: Once a month, with occasional international travel
Organization Information:
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of scientific research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA).
We are a mission-driven, collaborative community dedicated to supporting the advancement of research that drives the development of treatments for people living with FA. Our compassionate team understands that at the heart of every research grant, clinical trial, and scientific breakthrough are individuals and families living FA whose strength inspires everything we do. Together, we fund and facilitate research to slow, stop, reverse, and cure FA.
Position Summary:
The Research Portfolio Manager will work with FARA’s CSO and CEO to implement the scientific strategy and operational programs that support the advancement of research and drug development for Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). The candidate will work with all stakeholders (industry, academia, patient families, other non-profit organizations, donors and government partners) to achieve this goal through facilitating collaboration, sharing of research tools and ideas.
The Research Portfolio Manager will:
- Oversee and manage the entire cycle of the FARA grants program with the goal to maximize the impact of FARA’s research and clinical resources
- Promote FARA funding opportunities and other research funding opportunities applicable to FA investigators
- Direct and manage specific FARA-led efforts to develop tools to accelerate research
- Help FARA organize scientific meetings and workshops and represent FARA and the FA community at scientific conferences
The successful candidate will have relevant professional experience in research and/or drug development for FA or a related disease (mitochondrial diseases/neurodegenerative diseases/cardiac diseases), have an understanding of the process of basic research, drug development and clinical research, have demonstrated interest in the development of treatments, preferably for rare diseases, and a passion for advancing our mission through funding impactful research. The candidate will be a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive individual and have excellent interpersonal/ teamwork skills. The candidate will be provided with the opportunity and latitude to show initiative, acquire new skills, and grow professionally.
Professional Requirements:
- Doctoral degree in a scientific discipline and prior research/clinical experience
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and explain scientific subjects to the lay public
- Proficiency in grant management software/databases and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Ability to establish a positive public presence in the research community and rally various stakeholders around organizational mission, and build collaboration
- Commitment to the mission and values of FARA
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior research experience in FA or related diseases would be an asset
- Non-profit (academic or advocacy) experience, specifically grant or program management, or experience in related biotech/pharmaceutical industry would be an asset
- Understanding the FA research funding landscape and experience with federal funders (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD) is desirable
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee and manage the full cycle of the FARA Grant Program
- Work with the CEO, CSO and FARA’s Scientific Advisory Board to develop research priorities, understand research needs, objectives, and funding gaps
- Initiate requests for proposals, organize the internal review process, review letters of intent with the SRC, assess submitted applications for completeness and help to identify external peer reviewers for full applications
- Perform administrative aspects of the grants process – soliciting peer-reviews, preparing grant summaries (narrative and financial) for FARA’s Executive Committee, communicating review outcomes and providing feedback to applicants, negotiating funding agreements with grantee institutions, obtaining and reviewing progress reports with the SRC, reviewing grant term amendment requests and financial reports
- Establish relationships with awardees, serve as the primary point of contact for grant related issues and project updates, plan annual visits and/or web meetings for follow up on ongoing research projects
- Identify new applicants, relevant projects and ideas that merit FARA funding and work with investigators to encourage applications, identify potential areas of collaboration
- Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with other non-profit organizations and individuals who want to co-fund research
Manage FARA-led Projects
- Manage projects aimed at filling research gaps and addressing the needs of the scientific and drug development communities (for example, new disease model development and characterization, early discovery/pipeline investigations, biomarker initiatives)
- Oversee project initiation, planning, execution and monitoring to ensure project completion: identify third parties (academic, industry, CROs or others) needed to complete projects, oversee development of scopes of work, coordinate the project team, manage budget & timelines
Scientific Conferences and Meetings
- Work with scientific steering committee and partner organizations to support the organization of the biannual International Congress for Ataxia Research (ICAR)
- Organize smaller FARA-run workshops on specific topics, designing agenda, determining invitees, etc.
- Organize monthly webinars with FARA grantees
- Represent FARA at relevant national and international meetings, reporting back relevant new research ideas, contacts and developments
Communications
- Work with the FARA communication team to share grant program and research updates with all stakeholders
- Translate complex research concepts into accessible language to showcase funded grants, scientific publications and research advances for the lay community
- Contribute to FARA publications and website
- Monthly research newsletter
- Grant program section of the Annual Report
- Grant program section of the website
- Social media posts of funded grants/investigators
- Work with the FARA Patient Engagement team to create and present lay-friendly education of patients and families about FARA’s treatment pipeline and research activities through written materials, webinars, and patient symposiums.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.
FARA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FARA shall not discriminate because of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, or religion.
If employed by FARA, employees agree to accept and certify to abide by both FARA’s policies including Child Safekeeping Policy and FARA’s Code of Conduct at https://www.curefa.org/privacy-policy/.
FARA offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, life, long-term disability, and paid family and medical leave benefits, plus a 401K retirement plan. Salary range $85,000-$102,500. Salary commensurate with experience.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in this position to info@curefa.org. Include “Research Portfolio Manager” in the subject.