Program Officer for Science, Engineering, and Technology

American Academy Of Arts•Cambridge, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences seeks a Program Officer to support When the Facts Change, a multidisciplinary initiative examining how scientific knowledge evolves and how scientific, professional, and public institutions respond to changing evidence. Through comparative case studies, expert convenings, and research publications, the project will explore how scientific findings are reassessed, communicated, and incorporated into institutional decisions and public policy. The Program Officer will work with project co-chairs, committee members, and Academy staff to implement the project's research agenda, oversee case-study development, coordinate interdisciplinary research and expert working groups, and contribute substantially to written products and public engagement. The work reflects the Academy's commitment to independent, nonpartisan, multidisciplinary research. This full-time, two-year appointment may be extended subject to funding and organizational needs. The position reports to the John E. Bryson Director of Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Programs. It may be performed on a hybrid basis from the Academy's Cambridge, Massachusetts, or Washington, D.C. offices, or fully remotely elsewhere, subject to organizational and state-specific employment requirements. Occasional travel for meetings is expected. The Academy's standard business hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Academy is an honorary society and independent research center founded in 1780. It convenes leaders across disciplines, professions, and perspectives to address significant challenges and produces independent, pragmatic studies to inform public policy and advance the public good. The Academy values diversity of thought and experience and seeks a respectful, open, and collegial working climate.

Requirements

At least five years of relevant professional experience.
Strong research and analytical skills, including experience synthesizing complex scientific, historical, or policy evidence and working across disciplinary boundaries.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing substantive research reports, analytical papers, or publications for diverse audiences.
Demonstrated experience managing complex, collaborative research projects, coordinating contributions from researchers and subject-matter experts, maintaining timelines, and producing high-quality deliverables.
Ability to engage effectively with scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and institutional leaders, and to facilitate constructive conversations across disciplines and perspectives.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and ability to manage competing priorities independently.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues, incorporate feedback, and contribute to an inclusive and collegial team environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with research and project management tools.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in a relevant field, such as the natural or social sciences, history or philosophy of science, science and technology studies, public policy, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

Work with the SET Director, steering committee, and working group members to implement the research agenda, including selecting, developing, and comparatively analyzing case studies.
Conduct and oversee interdisciplinary research, including literature reviews, historical and policy analysis, expert interviews, and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence.
Develop and prepare research memoranda, case studies, reports, executive briefings, meeting summaries, and publications for academic, policy, and public audiences.
Coordinate the steering committee, expert working groups, and external researchers; develop research questions, identify participants, prepare background materials, and track deliverables.
Organize and facilitate expert meetings, workshops, and public events in collaboration with Academy staff.
Collaborate with the Civic Science Fellow and other project staff to coordinate research activities, case studies, and publications.
Work with Academy communications and publications staff to develop materials and outreach that make project findings accessible to diverse audiences.
Monitor project progress, manage research timelines and deliverables, and contribute to grant reports, funding proposals, and other initiative materials.
Represent the project at meetings, convenings, and briefings as requested.
May supervise permanent or temporary Academy staff working on the project and encourage staff development.
Perform other duties as assigned.