Sr. Research Program Officer

Job Description:

The Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program (NTAP) is a philanthropically funded research organization focused on developing effective therapies for plexiform and cutaneous neurofibromas, the two most common tumors afflicting patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).  NTAP is within the Department of Neurology in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  NTAP uses a highly collaborative approach that brings together patients, clinicians, researchers, industry, and government to determine where resources are most effectively deployed to produce meaningful treatments for plexiform and cutaneous neurofibromas. Exceptional scientific partners with innovative ideas are recruited to make these plans a reality, through both targeted programs and investigator-initiated proposals.

Working in conjunction with the Director and the Scientific Leadership team, the Senior Program Officer is responsible for recruitment of new research proposals, management of the review process, and communication with investigators.  For established projects, the Senior Program Officer is responsible for oversight of the project timeline, review of reports and data uploaded to Sage/Synapse and communication with the investigator for all research grants and strategic research initiatives funded by NTAP. An important element of this work is the oversight of data upload and annotation for all NTAP funded investigators and collaboration with partners such as Sage Bionetworks for data analysis.  The Program Officer will facilitate scientific collaborations among the NF1 research community within and outside of NTAP funded initiatives. The Program Officer will also represent NTAP externally, by attending relevant scientific meetings, preparing and delivering presentations about NTAP initiatives, assisting with scientific reports, building new scientific partnerships and working closely with NTAP’s key scientific partners.

Specific tasks:

• Review new investigator proposals, coordinate review by scientific advisors, oversee the process of revision and communication with the investigator

• Provide project analysis and follow-up with investigators on a regular basis to determine progress and challenges and assist with moving the project forward
• Facilitate virtual laboratory meetings for all funded investigators including generating the agenda and completing minutes
• Coordinate with the NTAP team to oversee timelines, milestone reporting and release of funds to grantees

• In conjunction with the director and scientific advisors, draft new requests for applications (RFA), generate review criteria, convene reviewer panels and oversee the review process
• Coordinate with administrative staff to advertise new NTAP research opportunities
• Coordinate with administrative staff to complete the finance, regulatory and legal requirements for funding to investigators
• Assist with planning investigator and scientific advisory meetings
• Assist with the publishing of NTAP led research initiatives, prepare and present data at relevant scientific meetings
• Maintain summary of NTAP portfolio of research projects to assist in reporting

• Identify, build and maintain relationships with external companies/organizations such as pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, corporations that can expand the program’s translational research program

• Attend scientific meetings of value to the program to identify new opportunities to enhance existing NTAP scientific projects or new areas for NTAP to explore
• Seek opportunities for synergy with projects funded through NIH, DoD, and other NF organizations with relevance to NF1 peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
• Support the Director in the preparation of reports and aide in the organization of the Johns Hopkins Oversight Committee and External Advisory Committee meetings

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in a scientific discipline

Five years of experience in preclinical or translational research and/or research project oversight at an academic, government, or pharmaceutical industry.

Additional education (Ph.D. or MD) may substitute for some experience. The candidate will have training and experience in a scientific background, preferably in Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Oncology or related fields, and will have experience in project management at the task level. 

Special Skills and Knowledge:

• This position requires a high degree of independent action and adherence to timelines.
•  The Senior Research Program Officer will have scientific confidence and internal drive to efficiently manage the NTAP project portfolio independently, but also be able to adjust based on feedback and comfortable working in a collaborative manner to support team-based science.
•  Must be able to build and maintain strong, trusting relationships both within the NTAP team and across all stakeholders.
• The successful candidate will have experience presenting to investigative teams, subject matter experts and investors and should possess excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation, consensus-building, and diplomacy skills.

The candidate will also benefit from experience with the conduct of translational research as well as familiarity with research protection requirements, regulatory compliance (federal and regional), research ethics, and the contents of academic contracts for scientific agreements.

JHU Equivalency Formula:  18 graduate degree credits may substitute of one year of experience. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job

Classified Title:  Project Administrator
Working Title: Sr. Research Program Officer  ​​​​​
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MF 
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt  
Location: 04-MD:School of Medicine Campus 
Department name: 10003523-SOM Neuro Neurological Oncology 
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [email protected]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work.  Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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