Brief Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Scientific Advisor to serve as a key contributor on client engagement teams, working under the supervision of the Chief Science Officer or Biomedical Research Managing Director to lead specific project initiatives and develop work products such as reports and presentations.

Position Description:

Health Resources in Action, Inc. (HRiA), a nonprofit public health and medical research funding organization headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, has a mission to help people live healthier lives and build healthier communities through prevention, health promotion, policy, and research.  Initially founded in 1957 as The Medical Foundation to support and conduct biomedical, social, behavioral, and other scientific research relating to health and illness, today HRiA has a growing staff of over 220 staff and leverages its expertise in developing, implementing, and evaluating solutions for clients who share a vision of improving population health. Our clients include private and corporate philanthropic entities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, state and local health departments, and hospitals.

The Biomedical Research Department at HRiA collaborates with individuals, bank trusts and family foundations to create and manage customized grant programs in the United States and Canada that accelerate medical discoveries.  We draw from extensive experience conducting landscape analyses and developing and running biomedical research grant programs to help our clients evaluate options and design impactful investment opportunities in line with their priorities. Through work with our current portfolio of biomedical research clients, we have awarded $17 million to outstanding investigators across the United States in just the most recent year alone.  Since our founding, the broader Grantmaking cluster has distributed and managed nearly $425 million in grant finds, including $130 million since 2018 across biomedical research and community health initiatives.

The Senior Scientific Advisor will serve as a key contributor on client engagement teams, working under the supervision of the Chief Science Officer or Biomedical Research Managing Director to lead specific project initiatives and develop work products such as reports and presentations. Client engagement activities are focused on but not limited to biomedical research funding opportunities, initiatives, and administration, and may include landscape research, strategic visioning, program design, program management, research capacity building, and program evaluation. The Senior Scientific Advisor will develop and maintain relationships with client leads, awardees, external scientific advisors, appropriate biomedical societies, research funders, and institutions.

The Senior Scientific Advisor will work as part of a grantmaking team that includes members across a wide range of levels, including Directors, Grants and Scientific Officers, and Coordinators for both Biomedical Research and Community Health projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Development and Evaluation Activities
  • Prepare in-depth life sciences consulting reports about the current state of specific fields of research;
  • Oversee and complete database research, key informant interviews, and associated literature reviews;
  • Work with clients in developing logic models and theory of change for their associated investments; and
  • Conduct and develop program evaluations commissioned by clients and prepare written reports and presentations of these findings.

• General Activities
  • Manage projects to engagement specifications;
  • Develop quality work products including documentation of evidence to support recommendations;
  • Anticipate and communicate project risks;
  • Cultivate successful partner relationships, including interfacing with partner leads and serve as a trusted advisor to partners;
  • Support project managers by providing scientific content expertise and ensuring oversight of project budgets and timelines;
  • Support HRiA business development efforts to expand our work in areas with high potential to improve human health and health equity;
  • Identify new or additional opportunities to support current clients;
  • Develop proposals and associated budgets; and
  • Contribute thought leadership within HRiA and externally, including actively participating in professional networks relevant to biomedical research such as the Health Research Alliance, including any workgroups and committees; and
  • Build content for HRiA website and communications.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a related field such as scientific consulting, science philanthropy, journal editing, science communication/journalism, or research administration
• PhD, MD, or equivalent in a biomedical-related field such as molecular, cellular, developmental, or computational biology, chemistry, neuroscience, genetics, immunology, or biostatistics, is preferred
• Strong scientific background and proven analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual thinking skills
• Commitment to operationalizing health and racial equity principles in biomedical research and research funding
• Excellent client interaction skills, collaborative work style, and strong interpersonal and team skills
• Ability to respect and value diversity of thought, backgrounds, personality styles, cultures, and perspectives
• Commitment to a growth mindset, flexibility, iteration, and learning
• Ability to identify key issues, analyze data, and make recommendations to improve processes and address problems
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and timelines
• Proficiency in or capability of learning new software, including Blackbaud Grantmaking, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Suite including Excel, WordPress, and video conferencing/calling
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of work duties that will be required in this position. It is not intended to limit, or in any way modify, the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, and contract work of staff under their supervision. The use of a particular illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties, not mentioned, that are of a similar level or difficulty.

This is a full-time, exempt position, but part-time status may be considered. The full-time salary range for this position starts at $94,000 and is commensurate with experience. Health Resources in Action offers an attractive benefits package including employer-funded medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, and employer contributions to a tax-deferred annuity.  Additionally, employees enjoy flexible work schedules and other policies that promote work/life balance, vacation starting at 4 weeks, 13 paid holidays, plus office closure time for the last week of December. The position requires the willingness to travel on behalf of HRiA, with a preference for candidates based in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

How to Apply:

HRiA is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced staff. The organization encourages multiple perspectives and experiences, supports a multicultural environment, and strives to hire and retain a diverse work force that reflects the populations we work with and the communities where we work. Diversity is a core value of HRiA resulting in culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs. Our hiring and business practices appreciate the strengths offered through diverse backgrounds.

HRiA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

Resumes and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, submit your cover letter and resume online by February 28, 2023.

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