Research Scientist/Engineer Senior

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

4d•$104,172 - $144,000•Onsite

About The Position

Bioengineering has an outstanding opportunity for RSE Senior to join their team. About this Opportunity The Research/Scientist Engineer Senior (RSE Sr) for Scientific & Educational Program Development & Operations is a senior-level research staff role responsible for advancing complex, interdisciplinary scientific initiatives and research training programs. Working closely with Institute, Center, and Program Directors, this role supports multiple high-impact scientific entities, including the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), the Center for Cardiovascular Biology (CCB), the Center for Translational Muscle Research (CTMR), and the Bioengineering Cardiovascular Training Program (BCTP), among others. The RSE Senior will lead research program development, coordinate interdisciplinary collaborations, support scientific strategy, oversee program operations, and contribute to (and when appropriate serve as PI/PD on) large-scale training and research grant proposals. This position requires scientific literacy in biomedical research, strong strategic planning capabilities, and the ability to engage faculty, researchers, trainees, and administrative units across schools and departments. As programs expand, the RSE Senior will also help develop and oversee a centralized program and project management structure to support interdisciplinary science and research training efforts, including standing up a Program Management Office (PMO).Success in this position requires an ability to understand and navigate research environments across Bioengineering, the College of Engineering, and the School of Medicine. The program development component is key, positioning research units for success within a highly competitive funding landscape. With the rapid growth of collaborative “team science,” multi-PI grants, and multi-institutional initiatives, this role will provide scientific project leadership, coordination support, and infrastructure to enable large-scale proposals and experimental programs to thrive. At ISCRM, the RSE Senior will take a strategic view of research capabilities, identifying scientific intersections, supporting new initiatives, and strengthening the collaborative ecosystem. A strong scientific background is essential—this role will engage with the Seattle biomedical community, contribute to scientific program design, and develop research-driven educational and training activities. By coordinating complex interdisciplinary grant proposals, facilitating scientific communication, and enhancing program cohesion, this role will help maintain ISCRM’s position as a national leader in stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Through CTMR, the RSE Senior will support the center’s continued development as a regional, national, and international hub for collaborative muscle research. The role will help foster high-impact research partnerships across the College of Engineering and School of Medicine through interdisciplinary grant development, shared scientific resources, and training initiatives. This position additionally integrates efforts across multiple NIH-sponsored research training programs to strengthen trainee development and enhance the scientific education ecosystem. Supported programs include but are not limited to: the Bioengineering Cardiovascular Training Program (BCTP, T32 NIBIB), the Cardiology Training Program (T32 NHLBI), the Seattle Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center (P50), and the Biological Mechanisms of Healthy Aging Training Program (T32 NIA). The Senior RSE will help coordinate training efforts across these programs, supporting curriculum design, research skill-building, and professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. This position requires a unique blend of high-level strategic thinking and meticulous attention to detail. The individual must be exceptionally organized and capable of managing multiple complex programs and projects simultaneously, while also delegating tasks effectively to program coordinators and maintaining accountability for overall program success. They will also be involved in helping to shape and develop the programmatic teams and foster the structure and collaborative culture necessary for successful team science.

Requirements

Doctoral Degree in a related field (e.g., Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Higher Education Administration, or Business or related field).
Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience in research program management, with demonstrated leadership of complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and managing NIH-funded research training and educational programs (e.g., T32, P50, or center grants).
Experience leading or co-authoring large, multi-PI grant applications and preparing federal progress reports and compliance documentation.
Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop staff and to lead teams across organizational boundaries.
Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills; ability to manage complex budgets and multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as PI or PD on grant submissions as a staff member.
Familiarity with university systems such as Workday and SAGE, and federal funding systems including NIH eRA Commons, xTrain, grants.gov, and myNCBI.
Experience designing and launching new organizational units, program offices, or administrative infrastructure within a research institution.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 Suite (SharePoint, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and project management software.
Existing relationships with NIH program officers, national scientific networks, or collaborative research consortia relevant to muscle biology, cardiovascular science, stem cell research, or aging.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic research program development through comprehensive needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, and analysis of scientific, operational, and institutional priorities across ISCRM, CCB, CTMR, BCTP, Wellstone MDSRC, and affiliated programs.
Identify, cultivate, and secure new funding mechanisms; position programs for sustainability and growth through strategic alignment of institutional strengths, partnerships, and emerging scientific opportunities.
Drive long-range planning initiatives to advance research, training, and translational objectives across interdisciplinary faculty, trainee, and staff teams.
Conceptualize, design, and launch new initiatives including pilot funding mechanisms, research cores, educational curriculum, and infrastructure projects—devising novel approaches where established models do not exist.
Lead and co-author complex, multi-investigator grant proposals (T32, P50, center grants, and others); serve as PI/PD on select submissions where appropriate as a senior staff member.
Lead development of proposal budgets, budget justifications, and scientific narratives; represent program to federal funding agencies and collaborators as needed.
Build cross-unit engagement, promote adoption of program initiatives, and establish implementation frameworks spanning departments, colleges, and external partners.
Develop and execute program evaluation plans; analyze outcomes and lead continuous improvement strategies to maximize scientific impact and return on investment.
Administer and oversee fiscal operations for multiple concurrent grants and research programs—including budget development, multi-year forecasting, and expenditure monitoring—working in close partnership with post-award grant management teams for CTMR, BCTP, and Wellstone MDSRC Training Core.
Ensure compliance and timely submission of annual progress reports, sponsor deliverables, regulatory documentation, and NIH training program reporting (xTrain, eRA Commons, myNCBI).
Oversee planning and execution of scientific convenings including symposia, training workshops, and visiting scholar events.
Direct communication and dissemination infrastructure including program websites, newsletters, and social media platforms for CTMR and BCTP.
Monitor and track trainee appointments, stipends, tuition, and fellowship expenditures for the BCTP and other training programs.
Manage pilot program mechanisms including application intake, peer review coordination, award processing, and budget oversight for the CTMR.
Lead procurement, service agreements, and reimbursement workflows for program activities.
Maintain transparent reporting systems capturing metrics, outcomes, and program indicators for faculty leadership and external stakeholders.
As programs scale, transition operational responsibilities toward a Program Management Office model, providing oversight and strategic direction for administrative staff.
Supervise and provide direct leadership for program coordinators and administrative staff, including hiring, onboarding, professional development, and performance management.
Coordinate and review the work of staff to ensure alignment with program objectives, quality standards, and deadlines; identify and resolve performance or capacity issues proactively.
Cultivate a collaborative, accountable culture across interdisciplinary teams of faculty, research staff, and trainees.
Mentor and develop staff capacity, empowering team members to assume increased responsibility and operational ownership over time.
Build strong cross-functional partnerships; manage upward and laterally to support faculty PI leadership and multi-unit initiatives across Bioengineering, ISCRM, CCB, and CTMR.
Lead the design, development, and launch of the PMO, establishing governance structures, policies, workflows, and best practices for project and program management across diverse scientific initiatives.
Evaluate and implement project management platforms and technology solutions to streamline planning, tracking, and reporting for PMO-supported programs.
Allocate personnel and resources strategically to support institute-wide research programs; design and manage workload distribution frameworks.
Provide budget oversight and financial monitoring tools tailored to the PMO's scope of supported programs.
Consolidate decentralized administrative roles into a unified PMO team; design training frameworks and professional growth pathways for PMO staff.
Define PMO scope, service boundaries, and priorities to maximize clarity and impact across the research enterprise.
Continuously iterate and improve project management systems, software, and operational approaches to meet evolving research needs.
Design, implement, and deliver professional and career development training programs for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows across affiliated training grants.
Build and sustain initiatives that strengthen the research training environment, promote trainee well-being, and support diverse career trajectories (academic, industry, policy, and beyond).
Foster collaborations with campus units and external partners to expand programming, resources, and opportunities for trainees.