Associate Program Officer - Biomedical and Health Sciences Program

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine•Town of Johnstown, NY

2d•$73,760 - $92,190•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Program Officer supports the Biomedical and Health Sciences (BHS) Program through programmatic, project management, research, and writing activities. The role contributes to initiatives involving neuroscience, brain health, traumatic brain injury, cognitive aging, research infrastructure, and broader factors affecting health and well-being. It supports the planning, implementation, follow-up, and dissemination of workshops, forums, and other convening activities intended to advance scientific understanding, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and inform research, policy, and practice. The position also supports stakeholder engagement with researchers, policymakers, practitioners, people with lived experience, and other communities. Under general supervision, the Associate Program Officer leads assigned programs or projects and coordinates activities to meet stated objectives. Work includes organizing hybrid meetings and workshops, preparing agendas and materials, inviting presenters and participants, overseeing logistics and multimedia presentations, preparing summaries, and collaborating with experts and sponsors. The role may include financial and administrative tasks and representing programs or projects inside and outside the National Academies. The position conducts background research, gathers and synthesizes scientific, technical, and policy information, prepares background papers and summaries, manages reference checking, and develops written materials. It may coordinate publications, edit reports, facilitate responses to review, and support dissemination. With senior staff oversight, the role may recruit committee or panel nominees and facilitate communication among committee members, sponsors, consultants, and staff. It may also assist with staff supervision and mentoring, project development, fundraising research and proposals, and funder, member, or alumni relations. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge and at least three years of related professional experience. A graduate degree in a related field is preferred. The work environment is hybrid, with 60% onsite work required and occasional travel between National Academies facilities and to off-site meeting or sponsor locations. The role reports to a director and is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.
At least three years of related professional experience.
Knowledge of scientific, technical, policy, or public health issues relevant to neuroscience, brain health, neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, cognitive aging, research infrastructure, or related disciplines.
Strong project coordination and organizational skills, including the ability to manage activities, schedules, stakeholders, and deliverables.
Ability to evaluate and synthesize scientific and technical information and communicate findings clearly in writing and verbally.
Ability to plan and coordinate engagement activities involving people and communities with diverse experiences and perspectives, including people living with central nervous system disorders.
Ability to identify and resolve varied project issues, exercise sound judgment, and work with appropriate independence within project objectives, institutional policies, and senior staff guidance.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing project needs, and maintain quality, accuracy, and deadlines.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and ability to build productive relationships with colleagues, experts, sponsors, community stakeholders, and internal and external partners.
Ability to contribute effectively in collaborative and multidisciplinary environments and provide staff guidance and feedback when assigned coordination or mentoring responsibilities.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
Ability to travel.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned programs or projects under general supervision and ensure they meet stated objectives.
Coordinate project activities, schedules, stakeholders, and deliverables; handle inquiries and organize hybrid meetings and workshops.
Develop agendas and materials; invite presenters and participants; oversee meeting logistics and multimedia presentations; and prepare written summaries.
Collaborate with experts and sponsors from government agencies, foundations, schools, and other organizations, and represent programs or projects within and outside the National Academies.
Perform financial and administrative tasks related to assigned programs or projects as needed.
Recruit potential planning committee or panel nominees with senior staff oversight, where applicable.
Facilitate communication among chairs, members, consultants, sponsors, and staff, and prepare reports on program or project activities.
Gather research materials; conduct background research; synthesize and edit research findings and technical data; assess relevance; and prepare background papers and technical summaries.
Manage reference checking, develop written materials, and coordinate or oversee publication of materials.
Edit reports, facilitate responses to review, and support dissemination activities, including engaging external organizations, preparing dissemination materials, and conducting dissemination meetings.
Assist with supervising and mentoring staff by assigning tasks and providing guidance and feedback, when applicable.
Assist senior staff with program or project development, including research on new study topics, prospectuses, proposals, sponsor identification, and funder, member, or alumni relations, where applicable.
Support stakeholder engagement involving researchers, policymakers, practitioners, individuals with lived experience, and other relevant communities.
Perform related duties and special projects as assigned.