Allen Institute for Brain Science

Associate Director, Scientific Operations

Allen Institute for Brain Science$167K — $209K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, or a related field with a minimum of 3 years' experience
  • Experience in program and alliance management with strong interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated financial acumen including budgeting and resource allocation
  • Strong understanding of experimental design and operational excellence
  • Experience in establishing collaborations with academic and industry partners
  • Familiarity with ethical and compliance standards in bioscience research

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with leadership to implement operational structure of Shared Resources
  • Coordinate ongoing production efforts, including capacity management and safety compliance
  • Direct and guide program managers and staff in project execution
  • Evaluate services for operational excellence and financial alignment
  • Implement metrics to track progress of production efforts
  • Lead communication regarding operational status to stakeholders
  • Develop processes for sustainable operational success

Benefits

  • Eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
  • Participation in the Allen Institute's 401k plan
  • Paid time off as per guidelines outlined in the Benefits Guide
  • Flexible work arrangements including remote options
  • Relocation assistance and work visa sponsorship provided
Full Job Description
Associate Director, Scientific Operations, Shared Resources

The Associate Director of Scientific Operations is a pivotal role within Shared Resources, with a significant impact on the scientific direction of Shared Resources. The individual in this position will be responsible for ongoing process development & management, coordinating production efforts across Shared Resources and point of contact with finance and legal teams. As a key hire for Shared Resources, the Associate Director will be instrumental in shaping the future, aligning current approaches with the vision for Shared Resources, and ensuring that we move forward in a transparent and collaborative manner.

The Associate Director will work as part of a leadership team including program management, strategic leadership and external governance models. The Associate Director for Scientific Operations, focuses on ongoing operational excellence The Senior Director Shared Resources directs strategic planning, external relationship and scientific direction towards the long term vision. Together with these leaders, will ensure a coordinated approach to drive the success of Shared Resources.

Essential Functions
  • Partner with Shared Resources Leadership and collaborate across the various Allen Institutes accelerators to advocate for and implement the operational structure of Shared Resources
  • Coordinate with platform leaders on ongoing production efforts, including capacity management and equipment maintenance and safety compliance
  • Direct program manager(s) and support staff, setting clear expectations, delegating tasks effectively, and providing guidance on project execution
  • Evaluate services for operational excellence, financial stewardship and their alignment with the Shared Resources mandates by coordinating between platform leaders, finance & legal teams
  • Implement metrics and task-management systems to track progress of production efforts, ensuring the impact of Shared Resources is measurable and visible
  • Lead communication efforts regarding the operational status of Shared Resources, providing stakeholders with clear updates on milestones and continuous process improvements
  • Develop transparent processes and feedback loops to ensure sustainable operational success

Additional Functions
  • Identify training needs and foster the professional development of staff to drive the operational excellence essential to the Allen Institute's brand of data quality and scale
  • Assist in the recruitment and onboarding of new staff, ensuring a blend of skills necessary for the Shared Resources vision
  • Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with other research institutions, academia, and industry
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of internal documentation, including financial practices, and standard operating procedures

*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.*

Required Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Immunology, or a related field with demonstrated experience working in large and complex scientific projects with a minimum of 3 years of experience
  • Experience in program and alliance management are essential with demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills to develop and maintain successful relationships
  • Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting, resource allocation and cost recovery
  • Strong understanding of experimental design, data generation and operational excellence
  • Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborations with academic and industry partners
  • Familiarity with ethical and compliance standards in bioscience research

Preferred Education and Experience
  • Advanced degree (e.g. PhD or MBA) preferred
  • Proven leadership or managerial experience with a focus on mentorship and team development
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences
  • Exceptional ability to anticipate issues, problem solve, mitigate risk and provide creative solutions

What We Offer
  • Amazing Science: You will be a part of the organization that is among the top world leaders in science, conducting cutting-edge research into some of the most important questions facing humanity
  • Fun and Rewarding Culture: At the Allen Institute, you'll be part of a vibrant community that values creativity, collaboration, and innovation. We celebrate milestones, recognize achievements, and offer various team-building activities that make work a rewarding experience
  • Diverse and Inclusive Environment: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or beliefs
  • Open Source Commitment: Our commitment to open science extends to our Shared Resources. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to the innovation of cutting edge technologies and the generation of world beating datasets, making a broader impact on the scientific communities
  • Flexible Work Setting: We understand that great work can happen anywhere. That's why we offer flexible work arrangements, including remote work options and adjustable schedules, to help you find the work-life balance that suits you best

Join us to be at the forefront of computational biology research and engineering innovation, all while enjoying a work environment that nurtures growth, inclusivity, and well-being.

Work Environment
  • Laboratory environment - possible chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances exposure.
  • This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE)

Physical Demands
  • Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers, office equipment, and lab equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
  • This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Travel
  • Occasional travel to partner sites & collaborators
  • Occasional attendance and participation in national and international conferences

Additional Comments
  • Please provide a cover letter to be considered for this opportunity
  • Please note, this opportunity offersrelocation assistance
  • Please note, this opportunity offers work visa sponsorship

Annualized Salary Range
  • $167,850 - $209,750*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute's Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute's 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute's benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

About Allen Institute for Brain Science

The Allen Institute for Brain Science is a division of the Allen Institute, based in Seattle, Washington, that focuses on bioscience research. Founded in 2003, it is dedicated to accelerating the understanding of how the human brain works. With the intent of catalyzing brain research in different areas, the Allen Institute provides free data and tools to scientists. Started with $100 million in seed money from Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul Allen in 2003, the institute tackles projects at the leading edge of science—far-reaching projects at the intersection of biology and technology. The resulting data create free, publicly available resources that fuel discovery for countless researchers. Hongkui Zeng is the director of the institute.
Learn more about Allen Institute for Brain Science

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