Scientific Program Manager

MIT • Cambridge, MA

1d

About The Position

The Scientific Program Manager in Brain and Cognitive Sciences will be responsible for supporting, managing, and expanding NIH-funded graduate training grants and fellowship programs within the department. This role involves close collaboration with faculty leadership, departmental administration, and trainees to coordinate the implementation and continuous improvement of graduate training activities. The manager will oversee administrative and programmatic components of NIH predoctoral training awards and facilitate fellowship development initiatives. Key contributions include planning and submitting future training grant and fellowship opportunities, supporting trainee success and research workforce development, and advancing strategic initiatives to strengthen externally funded graduate education. The Scientific Program Manager will be instrumental in building and enhancing the department’s long-term graduate training infrastructure while fostering a collaborative and supportive training environment for students, faculty, and research stakeholders.

Requirements

• PhD in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, life sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in research administration, graduate education, scientific program management, training program administration, or a related area.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a complex academic environment.
• Proficiency with data management, reporting, and standard office software applications.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with NIH funding mechanisms, including T32 training grants, F31 fellowships, or related federal training programs.
• Experience supporting grant proposal development and submission.
• Familiarity with graduate student mentoring and professional development programs.
• Experience with program assessment, evaluation, and outcome tracking.
• Experience working in a research-intensive academic environment.

Responsibilities

• Support, manage, and expand NIH-funded graduate training grants and fellowship programs.
• Coordinate the implementation and continuous improvement of graduate training activities.
• Oversee administrative and programmatic components of NIH predoctoral training awards.
• Facilitate fellowship development initiatives.
• Contribute to the planning and submission of future training grant and fellowship opportunities.
• Support trainee success and research workforce development.
• Advance strategic initiatives that strengthen externally funded graduate education.
• Build and enhance the department’s long-term graduate training infrastructure.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive training environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree