Academic Program Management Officer - 135719

Current UC San Diego Health Cellular & Molecular Medicine employees who apply by 7/1/2025 will have priority consideration for this position. Recruiters will refer qualified internal candidates after the first 7 days of the job posting. All qualified external applicants and additional internal applicants who apply after the priority date may have further consideration pending the results of the initial review.

UCSD Health Sciences is a $1 billion dollar plus organization encompassing 16 academic departments (14 clinical, 2 basic sciences), 2 pre-academic/hospital departments, 2 professional schools (School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), 2 hospitals, and various other programs and units all dedicated towards fulfilling the Health Sciences missions. The UCSD Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) is one of two basic science units in the School of Medicine where world-class researchers study fundamental cellular processes and pathways using a variety of techniques from classical genetics and fluorescence microscopy to high-throughput genomics, systems biology, and crystallography. Our 36 faculty and over 200 postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and research staff work on the cutting edge of biology, cutting across fields from basic biochemistry and genetics to genomics, systems biology and stem cell biology. The faculty also play a major role in medical and graduate student training, providing educational and programmatic offerings that span several disciplines and provide diversity to meet the interests of a broad spectrum of students and scholars.The diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and talents creates a robust work environment with challenging career opportunities and a commitment to continued growth potential. We constantly seek to recruit highly motivated, technologically-advanced, and deeply interested individuals who are ready to become a part of our dynamic research and educational environment.

Independently oversee a moderately sized academic research program and represents the program to outside organizations. Work under the direction of Principal Investigator to establish the research agenda, funding, objectives as needed for research program focused on developing and applying Multimodal spatial transcriptomics methods to understand neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease (HD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Neurodegeneration (ALS/FTD) as the means to develop better treatment options. The incumbent will coordinate, manage, and/or supervise staff, undergraduates, graduate students, & post-docs and serve as the liaison with University leadership for the program. Design and develop major program components, and administer the full range of the program's operational requirements including finance and facilities. Work with the lead Principal Investigator on formulating short-term planning and standard operating procedures.

The incumbent will work with other investigators both intra- and inter-institutionally to design research projects including those that make use of spatial transcriptomics and will oversee the day-to-day execution of these research projects. Research projects may be structured as collaborative, with both internal and external components and investigators. The incumbent will ensure that the spatial technologies are maintained at the cutting edge of the field, and work with other stakeholders to design, develop, and engineer specialized spatial transcriptomics workflows.

The incumbent will foster growth by giving and organizing seminars, attending meetings and conferences, building relationships with campus investigators, and seeking strategic partnerships. The incumbent will also independently write scientific grant proposals and author high-level publications. Performs other duties as assigned

• Terminal degree in neurodegenerative disease or related field: PhD or MD and / or equivalent experience training.

• Five (5) or more years of successful research experience in human neurodegenerative disease.

• Academic background and experience in selected area of research. Academic background and experience in neurodegenerative disease research.

• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.

• Advanced oral and written communication skills. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills including tack, diplomacy, and flexibility in order to work and interact effectively with staff, researchers, and management in person, on the phone or via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.

• Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.

• Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.

• Advanced ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers.

• Highly skilled fundraising experience.

• Advanced theoretical knowledge of cell biology, neurodegenerative diseases, biochemistry, and molecular biology as evidenced by a strong record of relevant scientific publications.

• Demonstrated expertise building collaborations between academia, industrial and / or governmental agencies.

• Advanced skill in experimental design and adaptation of methods to achieve results. Demonstrated experience in integrating data from multiple sources to synthesize conclusions. Knowledge and ability to read and abstract scientific articles and apply to the design of experiments.

• Demonstrated experience in working with collaborators in other universities or industry/biotech/pharma on joint projects, and working under milestones driven projects, including knowledge in writing reports.

• Strong organizational skills, including experience in laboratory record keeping, budget analysis and managing logistics. Demonstrated knowledge of lab safety rules.

• Proven experience in contributing and implementing innovative ideas and techniques on complex and multi-disciplinary research projects.

• Proven publication record in neurodegenerative disease and experience in development or use of spatial transcriptomics.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must have a proven, published record of research accomplishment in human neurodegenerative disease.

• Excellent record keeping and experience in data analysis.

• Must be willing to work flexible schedule in order to complete experiments as necessary.

• Must be willing to work in an environment with biological, chemical and radiological hazards, and with animal models, especially mice.

• Occasional travel.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational - or "bench-to-bedside" - research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.