Principal Associate, Biomedical Programs

Biomedical Programs 
The Pew Biomedical Programs consists of four separate grants, each one designed to fund a different aspect of biomedical research. These four programs are The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences (Scholars), the Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences (Fellows), the Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research, and the Pew Innovation Fund. These programs primarily provide funding for early-career (postdoctoral fellows and assistant professor level) scientists across a broad spectrum of biomedical research. The programs encourage risk-taking and aim to fund creative research that would otherwise not be supported. Long-standing programs of the organization, the programs have an alumni network of over 800 top scientists across disciplines throughout the world. Grantees are chosen each year through a competitive nomination process and a rigorous review by the programs’ national scientific advisory committees. Grantees also participate in a yearly annual meeting where they present their work, network, and participate in professional development opportunities. 

Position Overview 

The principal associate supports grant programs in Latin America that harness scientific discovery to improve human health. Reporting to the project director, the principal associate provides programmatic and scientific support for the expansion of the Latin American Fellows program via partnership with an external funder. This position will be responsible for all aspects of the program: supporting grant cycles, from application solicitation through grantee selection and tracking; convening planning and delivery; and promoting the expansion of a collaborative community of early and mid-career researchers in Latin America. This position will work with the biomedical programs team members to deliver all aspects of the program.  

This position is preferably based in Philadelphia, PA (though Washington, DC may be a possible alternative location) and it will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week. 

Responsibilities 

• Support grant program cycles for the Latin American Fellows program and development of solicitation, application content, managing institution and applicant queries on program eligibility and goals, facilitating application review via external review boards, and tracking grantees on progress and discoveries. 

• Manage grant cycles developed for Latin America including advertising and outreach to academic institutions, development of solicitation, application content, managing institution and applicant queries on program eligibility and goals, assignment of external scientific reviewers based on area of expertise, facilitating application review via external review boards, and tracking grantees on progress and discoveries. 

• Communicate with advisory committee of scientific reviewers and Regional Representatives. 

• Act as program contact for external constituents, liaising with the Latin American community, advisory committees, applicants, grantees, and donors, in running the yearly grant application cycles. 

• Work with the partnerships team to create donor reports on grantee progress. 

• Develop communication pieces for the external website to promote the work of program grantees. 

• Develop reports for the Pew board on grantee projects and program updates. 

• Manage internal administrative processes to complete the agreement and reporting process. 

• Plan and execute in-person convenings and virtual events. 

• Support the program in developing strategic initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion in grantmaking. 

• Support the program in developing, implementing, and analyzing metrics and evaluation of the program(s). 

• Support the project director with the preparation of grants. 

• Support the senior officer with the planning and execution of the annual meeting and other convenings, including agenda programming, keynote speaker identification, and professional development training options for grantees. 

• Provide cross-cutting support to the administration of the Biomedical Programs other grant initiatives including grant processing, strategic planning, and development of technical assistance and professional development opportunities for applicants and grantees.  

Requirements 

• Experience working with the scientific community and broad knowledge of the biomedical sciences. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in translating complex scientific concepts for various audiences such as donors and the public. 

• Effective and collaborative interpersonal skills. 

• Effectively builds rapport and develops productive relationships with internal staff and external constituents. 

• Demonstrated experience working independently with limited supervision. Is flexible and routinely manages multiple competing priorities. 

• Bachelor’s degree in a biomedical science related field or equivalent experience required. 

• Generally, six years of applicable experience.  

Key attributes or preferred experience 

• Experience working with the Latin American or International community preferred. 

• Grant preparation and program support experience preferred. 

• Experience organizing scientific conferences preferred. 

• Experience organizing workshops and professional development events preferred. 

• Advanced scientific degree (MS or PhD), or commensurate scientific research experience, or applicable experience lieu of degree preferred.  

• Professional fluency in Spanish preferred, fluency in Portuguese is a plus. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in Windows Office, Outlook, Excel, and Access. Proficiency in constituent management systems like Salesforce, Ironclad, and grants management systems preferred. 

Travel 

Domestic and international travel is required 10-20% of the time including eight consecutive days for annual meeting every March/April.  

Work Authorization 

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without the need of a visa sponsorship.