Senior Scientific Manager, Women’s Health Research

Overview

The Scientific Advisor, Women’s Health Research at Yale (WHRY) will report to the Women’s Health Research at Yale Center Director and serve as principal scientific advisor. This role is responsible for coordinating scientific activities across the center and Collaborative, leading strategic grant development and submission efforts, and overseeing scientific writing responsibilities. The Scientific Advisor will also support Dr. Safdar’s lab including grant writing, manuscript preparation and publication.

We seek a highly motivated, results-driven individual who is reliable, flexible, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

The Scientific Advisor, WHRY will be responsible for the scientific management of a highly active, interdisciplinary research center-Women’s Health Research at Yale (https://medicine.yale.edu/whr/) self-supporting center within the Yale School of Medicine.

WHRY has three major pillars:

• Initiating and supporting innovative research and interdisciplinary research partnerships
• Cultivating an active and engaged Collaborative to connect, support, and amplify a pipeline of investigators committed to women’s health research.
• Translating and disseminating science local, nationally and internationally to improve the lives of women for the benefit of all.

The center’s strategic plan emphasizes targeted expansion of ongoing initiatives while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability and growth. This position operates in a high-volume work setting with time-sensitive goals and multiple concurrent priorities.

WHRY Key Responsibilities

Grant Development, Writing and Funding Strategy

• Serve as primary scientific architect for major submissions. This would entail leading grant writing efforts as a writer, editor, coordinator, and liaison to ensure successful submission.
• Identify and pursue opportunities in consultation with the Director for federal, foundation, and private funding to support the growth of the center’s research portfolio and infrastructure.
• Support investigators on funding strategy, competitiveness, and portfolio development.

Interdisciplinary Research Coordination and Scientific Oversight

• Coordinate scientific initiatives within WHRY and between YSM departments.
• Provide scientific guidance to the WHRY pilot program, including advising on thematic priorities, reviewer selection, and alignment with long-term funding strategy.
• Review progress of funded projects and work closely with funded investigators to recommend strategic course adjustments to optimize success.
• Contribute to publications, scientific reports, and progress updates as appropriate.
• Support dissemination efforts that amplify WHRY scientific impact through content development for scientific messaging and national positioning, symposia and research programming for Collaborative and outside Yale through multiple platforms.

Safdar Lab Research Program Administration:

Scientific liaison for studies conducted by the Safdar lab:

• Assist PI for new grant submissions and contracts - Prepare the non-scientific regulatory and shell of the grant (parts other than research strategy) such as budgets and budget justification, human subject protection plans, etc. Be able to perform any background or pertinent literature search to support development of these documents and workflows including data-driven study workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for use in the lab and with study collaborators.
• Collaborate with IBO, YCCI, and IRB staff for grant submissions, regulatory document management, financial reporting, effort reports.
• Provide regulatory oversight for ongoing and new studies.
• Lead and manage the preparation, writing, review, and publication of scientific manuscripts.
• Coordinate with research investigators, fellows and trainees to develop manuscript drafts and integrate feedback
• Perform other duties as needed.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated experience with NIH grant writing, submission, and grant administration.
2. Proven ability to develop and strategically position grants to align with institutional priorities.
3. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions and manage multiple priorities.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Initiate and support innovative research and interdisciplinary research partnerships.
2. Cultivate an active and engaged Collaborative to connect, support, and amplify a pipeline of investigators.
3. Translate and disseminate science local, nationally and internationally
4. Serve as primary scientific architect for major submissions. This would entail leading grant writing efforts as a writer, editor, coordinator, and liaison to ensure successful submission.
5. Identify and pursue opportunities in consultation with the Director for federal, foundation, and private funding to support the growth of the center's research portfolio and infrastructure.
6. Support investigators on funding strategy, competitiveness, and portfolio development.
7. Prepare the non-scientific regulatory and shell of the grant (parts other than research strategy) such as budgets and budget justification, human subject protection plans, etc. Be able to perform any background or pertinent literature search to support development of these documents and workflows including data-driven study workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for use in the lab and with study collaborators.
8. Collaborate with other departmental staff for grant submissions, regulatory document management, financial reporting, effort reports.
9. Provide regulatory oversight for on going and new studies.
10. Lead and manage the preparation, writing, review, and publication of scientific manuscripts.
11. Coordinate with research investigators, fellows and trainees to develop manuscript drafts and integrate feedback.
12. Advise Director and research staff on up-to-date National Institutes of Health (NIH) policies, procedures, and compliance requirements related to grant applications and progress reports, ensuring institutional consistency while addressing grant-specific needs.
13. Support post-award activities including presentations, progress reports, renewals, and sponsor communications.

Required Education and Experience

Master's degree in a scientific or life sciences discipline and a minimum of four years of experience managing a scientific or research program, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. PhD in a scientific discipline integrating basic and clinical science.
2. Experience in interdisciplinary research environments and variable funding sources.
3. Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills in complex, multi-stakeholder academic settings.
4. Demonstrated proficiency in scientific and scholarly writing.