Program Officer - Biomedical and Health Sciences Program

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

20d•$92,040 - $115,040•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine seeks a Program Officer for the Biomedical and Health Sciences Program to manage and implement projects focused on health care system resilience, public health preparedness, and emerging scientific and policy challenges related to national health security. The role brings multidisciplinary experts together to examine complex scientific, technical, and policy issues and provide timely, evidence-based information to decision-makers. Initial work will focus on a portfolio of projects funded for 12 months examining crisis standards of care and health care system preparedness and response. Topics include indicators and triggers of health care system strain and resource scarcity; the functions, governance, and sustainability of medical operations coordination centers; and operational challenges in implementing crisis standards of care during high-consequence infectious disease events. Activities include coordinating rapid expert consultations, synthesizing scientific and technical evidence, engaging experts, and supporting written products for policy and operational decision-making. The Program Officer manages multiple concurrent activities, coordinates written products, and contributes to developing new projects and opportunities. The role requires project management, research, analytical, and communication skills, collaboration with experts, federal agencies, and other stakeholders, and the ability to balance competing priorities and traditional or accelerated timelines. The position may provide day-to-day direction to project staff and may supervise project or program staff under the oversight of a Director or Senior Program Officer. It typically reports to a Senior Program Officer or Director. The work supports the Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats and may also contribute to the Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies, the Action Collaborative on Medical Operations Coordination Centers, the Rapid Response to Emerging Science, Engineering, and Medicine Challenges Initiative, and other emerging priorities. The position is based in a hybrid office/telecommute environment in Washington, DC, with an expected onsite percentage of 60% and occasional travel between National Academies facilities and to off-site meetings or sponsor locations. The role requires working at a computer for extended periods and the ability to travel.

Requirements

Master’s degree in public health, health policy, health sciences, public administration, or a related scientific or technical field, or equivalent knowledge.
At least three years of related professional experience.
Experience managing scientific, technical, health policy, or public health projects, including coordinating multidisciplinary teams and complex deliverables.
Experience conducting research, synthesizing scientific and technical literature, and preparing high-quality written materials.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and time-sensitive assignments.
Experience engaging experts and stakeholders from different disciplines and organizations.
Strong organizational, analytical, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, anticipate project needs, and work effectively with limited supervision.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
Ability to travel.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in a related field.
Experience in public health emergency preparedness and response, emerging infectious diseases, health care systems, or related policy areas.
Familiarity with crisis standards of care, health care system capacity and coordination, or high-consequence infectious disease preparedness.
Experience supporting expert committees, scientific advisory activities, workshops, or consensus and non-consensus scientific products.
Experience working with federal agencies, particularly HHS, ASPR, CDC, or other organizations involved in preparedness and response.
Experience managing complex projects involving multiple authors, reviewers, subject-matter experts, and stakeholders.
Familiarity with National Academies procedures, publications, and project management practices.

Responsibilities

Lead planning, coordination, and implementation of assigned projects, including rapid expert consultations, expert meetings, and other scientific and technical activities.
Develop and manage project work plans, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and internal review processes in accordance with National Academies policies and procedures.
Coordinate multiple concurrent projects with project leadership, committee members, authors, consultants, and National Academies staff.
Develop project prospectuses, scopes of work, agendas, background materials, and other documents needed to initiate and execute activities.
Identify project risks, anticipate operational needs, and help resolve issues affecting schedules, resources, or deliverables.
Provide day-to-day direction and coordination for project staff, delegating research, administrative, and logistical responsibilities.
Conduct and oversee targeted research, literature reviews, and evidence synthesis on emerging infectious diseases, public health emergencies, crisis standards of care, health care delivery, and preparedness.
Identify relevant scientific literature, technical guidance, federal policies, and prior National Academies publications.
Support development of rapid expert consultations and written products by preparing background materials, coordinating author contributions, reviewing drafts, and managing internal and external review processes.
Analyze scientific, technical, and policy issues to identify relevant evidence, operational considerations, knowledge gaps, and areas requiring additional expert input.
Work with multidisciplinary experts to ensure activities incorporate appropriate scientific, clinical, public health, operational, and policy perspectives.
Support dissemination of findings through briefings, presentations, webinars, and other engagement activities.
Support standing committee activities, including planning meetings, developing agendas, preparing briefing materials, and coordinating follow-up.
Identify and engage experts from academia, government, health care systems, public health agencies, professional organizations, and other sectors.
Coordinate the identification and engagement of authors, speakers, consultants, and other experts.
Facilitate expert discussions and information-gathering activities that bring together diverse scientific and operational perspectives.
Maintain productive working relationships with committee members, project leadership, and external collaborators.
Coordinate communication with federal sponsors, particularly HHS ASPR; help identify emerging sponsor priorities and translate requests into appropriately scoped activities.
Prepare materials for sponsor meetings, project updates, briefings, and discussions of potential future work.
Coordinate with other National Academies boards, programs, and divisions to identify relevant expertise, avoid duplication, and strengthen connections across activities.
Represent assigned projects in meetings and discussions with external partners as appropriate.
Contribute to broader preparedness and rapid-response portfolio activities, including forums, collaborative initiatives, rapid-response projects, and emerging cross-divisional work.