Science Administration

There are several different opportunities in science administration. You could work for a funding agency overseeing the review and award of grants/contracts, or you could facilitate/manage research projects or training programs (including budgets). Potential employers include universities; non-profits and professional societies; government and the military. Additionally, there are administrative jobs in the biotech industry that may require similar skills (e.g. project management).

If you are interested in a job within the federal government, some titles in usajobs.gov include: Scientific Review Officer; Health Science Administrator; Scientific Program Analyst; or Program Officer. For more information watch the videocasts under Resources below.

If you are interested in working for a research institution, here are some career options: (+/-)

Working in the capacity of an administrator would require strong organizational and writing skills. Additionally, one would have to be able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders inside and outside the organization, and be able to build productive relationships.

• Videocasts by NIH OITE: Administrative Jobs at NIH, Careers in Grant Management, and Careers in Government.
• If you are interested in a job with the federal government, watch Careers in the Federal Government to learn how to navigate the employment process.
• Relevant sections in the NIH Symposium Newsletters from 2012 and 2013.
• Read a Science Careers article on Careers in Research Support.

• Get involved in committees (e.g. student government) or in outside organizations, and assume a leadership position, so that you gain organizational and leadership skills. It is important to show that you can handle multiple priorities and can communicate with different groups of people.
• Securing your own grant while in graduate school would be an asset. Check the BCI list of pre-doctoral fellowships here.
• Attend the PDO workshop “Your Research Career” offered in January and in the summer, to gain valuable communication skills, including grant writing.
• Take advantage of writing opportunities: a blog, op-ed for a magazine, an article for an advocacy group, etc. Show that you can communicate science information.
• Courses to consider:
  • Project Management in Biotechnology (KSAS-AAP)
  • Principles of Nonprofit Management (KSAS-AAP)
  • Negotiating as a Leadership Skill (KSAS-AAP)
  • Managerial Communication (CBS)

  Check our list of courses for more. Additionally, courses in technology used in program administration could also be helpful: MS Access, MS Project, SharePoint, etc.

• The presidential management fellowship would be an excellent pre-doctoral or post-doctoral opportunity.
• Consider the AAAS fellowships. These fellowships are very prestigious; they expose you to how the government works as well as how a particular agency functions; and they may allow you the opportunity to convert the fellowship to a full time permanent position in the same agency or gain employment with another government agency.

National Organization of Research Development Professionals: http://www.nordp.org/

Bridget T. Hughes, PhD
Associate Director, Research Program Development
Dean’s Office Research Unit, University of Utah School of Medicine

“I work in the Research Development Office at the School of Medicine at the University of Utah. The goal of the Research Program Development office is to support research strategic initiative planning, implementation, and monitoring. In my role, I serve to facilitate alliances between and among faculty and units at our university, funding agencies, community organizations, and industry to enhance institutional research competitiveness. I am actively involved in strategic planning for research initiatives, identification of opportunities for program development, development of implementation plans, and review of benchmarking data to establish metrics for success. In support of the strategic research initiatives, I identify complementary research interests among faculty and assemble teams to address interdisciplinary funding opportunities. Our Research Development group assists with proposal writing, budget preparation, and timeline development. In addition, I support the Development office in helping matching a potential philanthropic donor’s interest to scientific research on campus. I love this position because I get to help shape the “big picture” of how all the basic, clinical and translation research fits into the strategic vision of the university. On any given day, I spend my time in meetings, responding to emails, and writing. Research Development Professionals require strong communication, organization, multitasking, writing, and interpersonal skills. My scientific training has helped me tremendously in my current role, but skills gained serving in a leadership position in a professional organization have been equally valuable.”

Melissa Vining Stundick, PhD
Project Officer/ Interdisciplinary Scientist, Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
Broad Spectrum Antimicrobials Program

“Antibiotic Resistant infections are rapidly spreading across the globe; they are increasing in frequency, the mortality rate due to antibiotic resistant infections is climbing, and the health care costs associated with treating antibiotic infections are soaring. Antibiotic resistance is a problem today. Unfortunately, this problem is compounded by the fact that the number of pharmaceutical companies engaged in antibiotic development has decreased significantly over the past 20 years. Currently, the antibiotic development pipeline contains an insufficient number of antibiotic candidates to keep pace with the rate of antibiotic resistance. BARDA’s Broad Spectrum Antimicrobials (BSA) program aims to stimulate and revitalize the antibiotic pipeline by providing funding to pharmaceutical and biotech companies which is used to support new antibiotic development.

As a Project Officer within the BSA program, I am responsible for the day-to-day management of roughly $300M worth of Government contracts that fund new antibiotic development. I interact with our biotech and pharmaceutical company partners daily as we discuss results from recently completed studies and plan upcoming activities that will help advance drug candidates toward the goal of regulatory approval. I am assisted by a team of subject matter experts that have years of experience in every aspect of drug development (safety/toxicology, pharmacokinetics, clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, etc.), but am also constantly using and building upon the scientific knowledge gained at Hopkins. My job allows me to combine my scientific knowledge with program management skills since I am also responsible for ensuring each program stays on schedule and within budget. Aside from the day-to-day contract management, I frequently serve on selection committees that evaluate new proposals for possible funding. I do a lot of writing and technical editing (which I love)! While at BARDA I have authored four manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. I have written position papers and memos. I have written press releases and articles for an internal newsletter. I also assist our performers by editing and contributing to study protocols, study reports, and FDA submissions. ”