Program Scientist, Polymaths

jobs•Baltimore, MD

18d•$200,000 - $225,000•Onsite

About The Position

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt. It works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs by supporting promising, advanced tools and research that contribute to a thriving planet. The Science Systems Center strengthens the technical and academic systems underlying scientific discovery through support for people, tools, and technology. Its programs address barriers researchers face, including crossing disciplines at critical career stages, accessing high-quality software, and using AI effectively. Schmidt Science Polymaths supports recently tenured researchers who are moving into substantively new lines of inquiry. Each Polymath receives $500,000 per year for up to five years, paid through their institution. The program currently supports 43 Polymaths at 31 institutions across 9 nations. As its first cohort completes its awards, the program is building an alumni community and extending its influence on how the research system supports ambitious work across disciplines. Reporting to the Director of the Science Systems Center, the Program Scientist will lead the Polymaths program, including its strategy, selection process, relationships with awardees and their institutions, and alumni community. This hands-on leadership role involves setting direction and running the work, including overseeing and participating in selection, assessing annual reports, meeting Polymaths, shaping reviews, and preparing analysis and recommendations behind award decisions. The role requires scientific breadth and the ability to evaluate research across disciplines, assess whether researchers are entering genuinely new areas, and hold candid conversations with mid-career and senior academics. The Program Scientist will lead the program team and annual cycle; support awardees and alumni; develop review, evaluation, and impact processes; engage with institutions and the wider research community; and collaborate across Schmidt Sciences’ Science Systems portfolio. The position is based on-site in New York and requires regular travel within the U.S. and internationally as needed. It is exempt. The salary range is $200,000–$225,000 per year.

Requirements

PhD in science, mathematics, engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
At least 8 years of experience following the PhD in academia, government, industry, philanthropy, or research organizations.
Demonstrated scientific accomplishments evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, successful grant applications, or contributions to innovative research projects.
Scientific breadth and ability to evaluate research across disciplines, including judging whether a researcher is moving into substantively new areas.
Ability to critically evaluate proposals, reports, and other opportunities.
Experience building relationships with mid-career and senior academics, administrators, and research institutions, and judgment to hold candid conversations about research progress.
Strong understanding of how research universities operate, including incentives and barriers that influence research careers.
Experience producing writing for expert and general audiences.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and a record of impact in high-intensity, team-based environments.
Highest integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Must be based on-site in New York and able to travel within the U.S. and internationally on a regular basis as needed.

Nice To Haves

Interdisciplinary research experience, or a career that has moved between fields or institutions.
Experience in research program management, grantmaking, or research administration.
Experience designing or running review, evaluation, or impact-assessment processes.
Experience with fellowship or award programs for researchers, including selection.
Experience organizing convenings or building research communities.

Responsibilities

Develop and propose adjustments and evolutions to program strategy and direction in partnership with the Director of the Science Systems Center.
Review and refine the annual selection process, including new tools and approaches.
Develop the program’s convening and community strategy, including convening cadence and agendas and engagement across cohorts and with other Schmidt Sciences programs.
Develop approaches for assessing Polymaths’ progress and program impact.
Lead the Polymaths program team, set priorities, run regular team meetings, and coordinate work across selection, award administration, awardee engagement, and convenings.
Set the cadence and timing of the annual cycle, including selection, awardee start dates, reporting, and check-in meetings.
Serve as scientific lead for the annual selection cycle: review and approve nominating partners, synthesize reviews at each stage, recommend candidates for advancement and proposed awards, and present recommendations internally.
Serve as the primary contact for Polymaths, lead regular check-ins, and support awardees throughout their awards.
Identify and recruit external reviewers and advisors for selection, mid-cycle, and end-of-award reviews.
Review annual reports and prepare analysis and recommendations on award continuations.
Lead mid-cycle reviews.
Design and lead the end-of-award process, including final reviews, transition to alumni status, and follow-on support.
Build continuing relationships with alumni.
Strengthen the program’s external profile and engagement with the broader research community.
Work with Polymaths’ home institutions on award arrangements and institutional support.
Participate in academic conferences and events, representing Schmidt Sciences on interdisciplinary research and research careers.
Work with Schmidt Sciences colleagues to advance organizational priorities and model its values.
Collaborate with other Science Systems programs, particularly Schmidt Science Fellows, on interdisciplinary research and research careers.
Contribute to the overall priorities of the Science Systems portfolio.