Senior Associate Scientist, Extramural Discovery Science

Atlanta, GA, United States

At the American Cancer Society, we're leading the fight for a world without cancer. Our employees and 1.5 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds including communities of color, the LGBTQ community, veterans, and people with disabilities. The greater the diversity of our people, the better we can serve our communities.

The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

This is a remote, home-based position, with a high preference of residing in Eastern or Central time zones.

The Senior Associate Scientist supports the Scientific Director in managing all aspects of the grant making and management processes within a Research Program. This includes multiple grant mechanisms, each with distinct features and policies and participating in planning new research funding opportunities. Under the direction of the Scientific Director, the Research Program Manager has primary responsibility for managing programmatic aspects of the application and review processes. This position also assists the Scientific Director with management of a portfolio of grants, and constituent relationships with scientific volunteers, stakeholders, and grantees. In addition, the Program Manager interfaces with all the Discovery Pillar departments as well as the ACS Regional staff to ensure seamless operation of the research program.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Peer review of Research Grant Applications

Manages all aspects of the confidential peer review process and distribution of grant applications in assigned Research Program

Manages the assignment of applications to the appropriate program based upon required expertise for review

Ensures that accurate application information is maintained in appropriate databases

Partners with the Scientific Director in the recruitment of new reviewers. With input from SD, identifies and recommends distinguished scientist reviewers for membership on Peer Review Committees (term and ad hoc). Works with Scientific Director to extend invitations and finalize the PRC

Supports external scientific reviewers through the review process, including use of grant review website (e.g. proposalCentral)

Facilitates use of all departmental operational systems for peer review. Create agenda and rosters, organize, and distribute all working documentation needed for peer review meetings

Plans and manages dates, times, agenda details for peer review meetings

Manages processes to ensure that critiques are edited on a timely basis and provided to all grant applicants along with information regarding funding potential

Employs critical thinking, problem solving, and thoughtfulness to support and enhance the peer review process

Participates in all Peer Review Committee meetings within the Scientific Program and assists as needed and when feasible in other Extramural Discovery Science peer review meetings

Grants Portfolio Management

Manages activities required for the stewardship and administration of active grants

Processes grant modifications as allowed by ACS policy, including no-cost extensions, change of institution

Manages information, deliverables, and communications in the Post Award Management System related to their program

Supports Impact and Engagement team in ongoing portfolio evaluation by securing appropriate data to track grantee productivity including publications, presentations, promotions, awards, and other metrics

Participates in and supports new program development activities; participates with SD in drafting new Requests for Applications relevant to assigned Scientific Program

Interfaces with Discovery Operations team who build applications in proposal central, post information on cancer.gov, release information to potential applicants

Interacts with Discovery Operations team to identify policy inconsistencies and leads efforts for policy changes and modifications.

Constituent Relationship Management with extramural scientific community

Develops and maintains of a strong professional working relationship with potential applicants and all grantees in the active portfolio. Must define and execute strategies to engage with grantees within the program

Leverages professional relationship with portfolio grantees to assist the Research Engagement Manager and Regional staff

Utilizes online platforms (i.e., Twitter/X, LinkedIn, TheoryLab, etc.) to build relationships with potential applicants, current and former grantees in their respective program and interface with the research community

Serves as a well-informed and highly responsive primary point of contact for applicants, grantees and representative of the American Cancer Society in virtual and in-person meetings and symposia.

When requested, prepares written summaries of research grants for use in digital content by Marketing and Communications or for use by Philanthropy to aid in fund-raising

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE:

Masters or PhD (preferred) degree required in health-related science, basic science or public health disciplines. Masters with >5 years or PhD with 3-5 years minimum work experience in related fields. Other majors will be considered based upon relevance and/or work experience.

Prior experience in grants or research program management, research grant submission process and grant or science writing and medical and scientific terminology preferred

SKILLS:

Demonstrates Extramural Discovery Science Competencies:

Manages complexity - Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems

Balances stakeholders - Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders

Strategic mindset - Sees ahead to future possibilities and proactively translates them into strategies that improve efficiency and effectiveness

Ensures accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments

Builds networks - Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization

Builds effective teams - Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals

Drives engagement - Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives

Instills trust - Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

Other skills:

Project management skills or experience preferred

Excellent computer skills. Proficiency with Microsoft software for PCs and Outlook; ability to learn proprietary database software used by the department. Capacity to adapt quickly to new technologies and work processes.

Ability to search, utilize and integrate multiple types of information found on various internal and external databases and other resources include our department Society Source, Twitter, RITS, TheoryLab, Stakeholders database, Proposal Central, Pubmed, cancer information database, etc.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team setting with knowledge and skill to prioritize projects, requests, and assignments appropriately to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines; ability to work in a team environment to meet program and department goals; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, must be organization and detail oriented and able to manage data and information with a high level of accuracy.

Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills; the ability to work effectively and courteously with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Demonstrates a strong orientation to constituent service including a commitment to timely follow-up.

Ability to recognize and manage confidential documents and information professionally and in keeping with business unit practices.

Knowledge and ability to function as a representative for the Program Office with internal and external stakeholders.

Willingness to establish or improve critical skill sets necessary to benefit operations of the department.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE:

Previous experience with grant peer review, grant submission, grant management such as serving on a research team, managing a grant program or experience with research subjects' administration desired.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/GIVEN

DIRECT SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports to directly to the Scientific Director, working under minimal supervision.

CONTACTS

INTERNAL CONTACTS:

ACS Staff -Discovery Pillar, Development, Patient Support, and Regional staff

EXTERNAL CONTACTS:

Scientific stakeholders including ACS applicants; grantees; expert and stakeholder reviewers ; volunteers; and the public

The starting rate is $75,000 to $80,000. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

The American Cancer Society has adopted a vaccination policy that requires all staff, regardless of position or work location, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (except where prohibited by state law).

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.

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