Manager - Scientific Programs

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Jerome L. Greene Science Center
• Salary Range: $89,000 - $95,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior.

As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia’s top scholars to drive research in bold new directions. Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Reporting to and working closely with the Senior Director of Institute Programs and Outreach, the Scientific Programs Manager develops, plans, and implements a portfolio of programs and events with the overall objective to engage and support the Institute’s faculty, scientists, graduate students, and undergraduates. These include training programs, classes, workshops, seminar series, high-level conferences, and career and professional development activities that promote a vibrant culture of scientific inquiry and collaboration and provide key educational scaffolding for the academic research pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates closely with Senior Director of Institute Programs and Outreach, faculty, and members of the programs team and other administrative teams to plan, organize and execute a diverse array of scientific programs and events for the Zuckerman Institute.
• Supports the development of scientific content for the Institute’s seminar series, special symposia, and annual retreat, including managing faculty and scientific committees, topic and speaker selection processes, abstract and nomination submissions, and producing and reviewing written materials with scientific accuracy.
• Collaborates closely with external partners, including faculty and director-level stakeholders, as well as the Institute's logistical, programs, and administrative teams to co-organize and manage the execution of programs and events, including day-of execution and post-event follow up.
• Crafts communications targeted to the Institute’s scientific community to effectively promote programs, recruitment, and scientific events, in collaboration with the Internal Communications team.
• Provides project management, implementation, and coordination for undergraduate, graduate student, and postdoctoral programming, including supporting courses held at the Institute, and new research and training programs.
• Serves as the main point of contact for the Institute on trainee programming partnerships with Columbia University Irving Medical Center and other Columbia departments and schools, working together to co-organize and execute select career development activities and programming for trainees.
• Uses participant feedback, data, and analytics to measure the effectiveness of training programs and other initiatives to continuously improve the quality and impact of programs; contributes to grant reporting and other dissemination.
• Communicates relevant information about programs to internal and external audiences by maintaining relevant contact lists and fielding inquiries about programs. Produces informational content about programs for the Institute’s website and other materials.
• Works with the Senior Director of Institute Programs and Outreach to manage department finances and budget. Responsible for the team’s Purchasing Card and compliance with policies governing its use; works independently with adherence to institute policies.
• Works with the Senior Director of Institute Programs and Outreach to identify strategic opportunities and develop and execute new programs or initiatives. Adapts and contributes as required to fulfill the evolving demands of the role.
• Performs other duties as assigned, in line with the programmatic goals of the Institute.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required.
• Minimum of 4 years of related experience managing scientific and/or academic events, programs, or other initiatives.
• The ideal candidate is innovative and possesses excellent organizational, project management and communications skills; the candidate must be detail oriented as well as creative, proactive and engaging. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to exercise judgment and prioritize projects accurately with professionalism and commitment to exceptional quality under fast-paced conditions. May be required to attend selected functions scheduled on evenings or weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• A familiarity with the higher education and academic research environment is desirable.
• PhD in neuroscience or a related field preferred, with relevant experience in an academic setting.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.