Scientific Program Management Officer - 140498

Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the UCSD School of Medicine with comprehensive clinical programs, extensive basic science and clinical research, and diverse educational opportunities for students, residents and fellows. The internationally renowned faculty play a major role in medical and graduate student training, providing educational and programmatic offerings that span several disciplines and provide diversity to meet the interests of a broad spectrum of students and scholars. More than one hundred trainees at the graduate student and postdoctoral level, as well as more than 300 professional, research and administrative staff who along with the department administrators interact closely with the faculty. The diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and talents creates a robust work environment with challenging career opportunities and a commitment to continued growth potential. We constantly seek to recruit highly motivated, technologically advanced and interested individuals to become a part of our dynamic cutting-edge research, clinical, and educational environment.

Under direction, the Scientific Program Management Officer will provide scientific, strategic, and operational leadership for a portfolio of translational research programs focused on immunology, nanovaccine technologies, biologics, and antimicrobial therapeutics. They will drive the advancement of early-stage discoveries toward Investigational New Drug (IND) applications by coordinating multidisciplinary teams, overseeing milestone-based development plans, and ensuring alignment with regulatory, manufacturing, and clinical development requirements.This role serves as a critical bridge between discovery research and clinical translation, working closely with principal investigators, industry partners, contract research organizations (CROs), regulatory consultants, and funding agencies to de-risk programs and accelerate progression toward first-in-human studies.

The Scientific Program Management Officer will develop and execute integrated IND-enabling strategies for a diverse portfolio of biologics, vaccines, nanotherapeutics, and antimicrobial therapeutics. Responsibilities include designing and overseeing preclinical and clinical development plans encompassing pharmacology, toxicology, CMC, biodistribution, immunogenicity, and regulatory strategy. The incumbent will be responsible for identifying key scientific, technical, regulatory, and operational risks and implementing mitigation strategies. They will guide project teams through critical development milestones, including go/no-go decision points, preclinical drug substance and drug product manufacturing, GLP toxicology studies, process development, and IND preparation.

The scientific program management officer will manage a portfolio of immunology, nanovaccine, and antimicrobial programs across varying stages of development. They will be responsible for establishing program goals, timelines, budgets, milestones, and go/no-go decision criteria congruent with translational research funding sources. They will monitor project performance, provide recommendations regarding resource allocation and portfolio prioritization, and prepare program updates, milestone reports, and strategic recommendations for leadership and funding stakeholders.

The Scientific Program Management Officer will coordinate activities supporting regulatory interactions, including pre-IND meetings and FDA correspondence; ensure development programs align with current regulatory guidance; and oversee preparation of key regulatory documents for pre-IND and IND filings. They will play a pivotal role in advancing innovative immunology, nanovaccine, and antimicrobial technologies from discovery through IND readiness, helping transform promising scientific advances into clinical candidates that address critical unmet medical needs. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Thirteen (13) years of related experience, education/training or Terminal degree in immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, or a related field, (PhD, PharmD or MD and / or equivalent experience training, plus Five (5) or more years of successful research experience in immunology, vaccinology, nanotechnology, or translational research.

• Academic background and experience in selected area of research. Academic background and experience in immunology, vaccinology, nanotechnology, or translational research.

• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.

• Advanced oral and written communication skills. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills including tack, diplomacy, and flexibility in order to work and interact effectively with staff, researchers, and management in person, on the phone or via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.

• Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.

• Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.

• Advanced ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers.

• Highly skilled fundraising experience.

• Advanced theoretical knowledge of immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, or a related field as evidenced by a strong record of relevant scientific publications.

• Demonstrated expertise building collaborations between academia, industrial and / or governmental agencies.

• Advanced skill in experimental design and adaptation of methods to achieve results. Demonstrated experience in integrating data from multiple sources to synthesize conclusions. Knowledge and ability to read and abstract scientific articles and apply to the design of experiments.

• Demonstrated experience in working with collaborators in other universities or industry/biotech/pharma on joint projects, and working under milestones driven projects, including knowledge in writing reports.

• Strong organizational skills, including experience in laboratory record keeping, budget analysis and managing logistics. Demonstrated knowledge of lab safety rules.

• Proven experience in contributing and implementing innovative ideas and techniques on complex and multi-disciplinary research projects.

• Must have a proven, published record of research accomplishment in in immunology, vaccinology, nanotechnology, or translational research.

• Familiarity with translational funding mechanisms from NIH, BARDA, CARB-X, Gates Foundation, DTRA, and related organizations.

• Knowledge of antimicrobial drug development, antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease therapeutics, and host-directed therapeutic strategies.

• Direct experience preparing or contributing to IND submissions.

• Strong understanding of preclinical development requirements, including pharmacology, toxicology, CMC, and regulatory strategies.

• Experience with nanovaccine platforms, lipid nanoparticles, biomaterials, or advanced delivery techniques.

• Experience supporting or leading IND-enabling programs for biologics, vaccines, antimicrobials, or nanomedicine.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing to work flexible schedule in order to meet business needs.

• Occasional travel required.