SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM LEADER I

This Position is Grant Funded.

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM LEADER I 

Duke Human Vaccine Institute

Occupational Summary 

The Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) is a large, interdisciplinary organization with a goal to develop vaccines and therapeutics for HIV, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other emerging infections. Moreover, the DHVI is one of the few academic institutions in the country that spans the full translational pipeline of Immunogen Design, Pre-Clinical Work, GMP Manufacturing, and Clinical Trials. The Program Leader is responsible for managing this complex research pathway by working with the DHVI leadership in the coordination, evaluation, and scientific management of large research programs. The Program Leader serves as a resource for DHVI investigators with management of pre-award activities related to the submission of grants, contracts and other funding opportunities and post award management of research programs within the DHVI.  

Work Performed 

Program Leaders are tasked with managing programs focused on basic science dedicated to vaccine and therapeutic design, pre-clinical studies across a number of different models (mouse, ferret, NHP, etc.), manufacturing and vaccines and therapeutics, and/or Phase 1/2/3/4 clinical trials and challenge studies. Specific duties are defined below: 

• Develop, coordinate, and implement scientific research, financial, and administrative strategies essential to the successful management of translational research projects conducted by principal investigator(s) at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute; perform a variety of duties involved in the organization, documentation and compilation of basic research, pre-clinical, manufacturing, and clinical data. 
• Assist investigators with developing scientific strategies to achieve programmatic goals and implement scientific decision-making processes. Evaluate project effectiveness, develop risk management plans and provide warnings of serious deviations or variations that may compromise programmatic deliverables. Specific scientific strategies and processes include, but are not limited to, the following: 
  • Management and support of HIV-1 immunogen candidates 
  • Study plan development and study design for preclinical studies 
  • Data analysis, presentation and reporting for PIs, NIH, and other key stakeholders 
  • Clinical trial concept development 
  • Scientific concept development for future funding 
  • Draft complex scientific presentations summarizing work for Scientific Advisory Board meetings 
  • Grant and Contract Technical Proposal development 
• Plan, lead, and facilitate both regular cross-functional project team meetings and external meetings with sponsors and collaborators.  
• Participate and assist Program Management Leadership and Principal Investigators with the development and final negotiation of program budgets and program statements of work. 
• Collaborate with DHVI finance administrators to track and project spending and report financial highlights to the primary investigators. 
• Proactively identify changes in work scope and ensure appropriate planning measures are taken with internal and external stakeholders to reassess, renegotiate, forecast, and amend scope of work responsibilities, proposals, staffing levels, resources, and budgets. 
• The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified. 

Required Qualifications at this Level

• Education/Training: Completion of a Bachelor's degree in basic science, public health, clinical research or other related scientific field.
• Experience: Four years of program management and/or research experience. Experience in Biotech/Biopharma/Clinical Trials/GMP is strongly preferred. Additional training in project management or related training desired. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

1. Completion of a Ph.D. or M.D. in basic science, public health, clinical research or other related scientific field with one additional years of program management and/or research experience required. OR 
2. Completion of a Master’s degree in basic science, public health, clinical research or other related scientific field with two additional years of program management and/or research experience required. OR 
3. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in basic science, public health, clinical research or other related scientific field with four additional years of program management and/or research experience. 

Preferences

• Graduate degree strongly preferred.

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