NITMB Director for Research

Department

PSD Data Science: NITMB Group

About the Department

The NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology (NITMB) is a partnership between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. The institute aims to integrate the disciplines of mathematics and biology to transform the practice of biological research and inspire new mathematical discoveries. The staff at NITMB support the community of scholars, the shared ideals, and the core values of the institute. Together with the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, the NITMB provides the opportunities, infrastructure, and resources that encourage our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work.

Job Summary

The NITMB is seeking a highly experienced Director for Research to lead the NITMB’s research and evaluation efforts. The Director is responsible for the strategic management of research initiatives and external and internal research partnerships that support NIMTB activities. The Director for Research reports directly to the NITMB Faculty Deputy Director for Research. The Director for Research will work collaboratively with the NITMB Faculty Deputy Director and Director of Operations to sharpen the NITMB’s research vision and build strong relationships with scholars, scientists, and staff to help grow the NITMB’s research portfolio. The Director for Research will build relationships with agencies and organizations to support research strategies. This includes high-level relationship building, research project development and management, grant proposals, and strategic alliances with partner institutes. The Director will oversee a team of research professionals responsible for targeted research and programmatic activities, and work with the team to sustain, implement, and disseminate research findings.

The Director of Research will focus on positioning the NITMB to become a national research hub by securing large-scale external funding, building strong industry partnerships, and increasing national visibility through high-impact programs.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages strong relationships with faculty members and other stakeholders working in the NITMB-related areas.

• Maintains and promotes awareness of faculty mathematical biology research, initiatives, and programs; collaborates and communicates with faculty and leadership to coordinate initiatives and program activities.

• Serves as a key member of the NITMB’s senior leadership team and works collaboratively with staff and faculty at all levels across the NITMB and with internal and external partners to ensure the success of the research programs.

• Leads, manages, and supervises research professionals and support staff who are involved with planning, implementing, monitoring, and compliance aspects of research projects.

• Builds and maintains relationships with key partners in governments, foundations, professional organizations, and industry who are vital to the success of the research initiatives and programs.

• Supports fundraising and grant writing efforts to support core center activities.

• Works collaboratively with the NITMB evaluation team to measure project impact and success.

• Manages administrative aspects, advertising, coordinating reviews, and tracking progress of internal and external research programs and the summer undergraduate research program.

• Works closely with the Faculty Directors and Director of Operations to identify, launch, and sustain research initiatives and programs.

• Serves as a key resource for program information and resolve problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies.

• Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Organizes and oversees activities designed to build connections among NITMB researchers and research projects, including trainees and tutorials, the seminar series, work-in-progress meetings, one-day open problem studios, and other events.

• Develops and oversees public-facing research outputs for NITMB, such as research highlights, video profiles, blog posts, white papers, open problem studios, and more. 

• Organizes, coordinates, and supports slide preparation for board meetings (External Advisory Board, Scientific Advisory Council, etc.) and site visits.

• Manages research professionals and support staff involved with planning, monitoring, and compliance aspects of research projects. Advises other researchers on long-range plans for research projects.

• Develops goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines for research act