Job Summary

The Merkin Institute for Translational Research at Caltech fosters and accelerates translational research in the biomedical sciences. The Executive Director (ED) will report to the Director of the Merkin Institute for Translational Research, Professor Barbara J. Wold.

This full-time position requires a candidate who will use her/his administrative experience in a higher education or scientific research organization to implement the vision and strategic plan of the Institute Director and oversee Institute activities. The ED will work with the Director and Merkin Institute Executive Committee (MIXC), the trans-divisional faculty working in biomedical research, as well as the Caltech administration, development, Office of Technology Transfer (OTT), Foundation Relations, and communications offices to oversee the Merkin Institute’s operating structure. The ED will assist in identifying new opportunities for supporting research and education in neuroscience and communicating Institute scientific advances to the public. The ED will also oversee calls for proposals for Merkin Institute support, proposal reviews, and selection processes for scientific projects and fellowships. The ED will proactively facilitate the translation mission, including IP management and interface with OTT. The ED will be charged with operationalizing the vision and strategic plan for the Merkin Institute as defined by the Director and MIXC.

We are seeking a professional who:

• Is science and technology driven, community minded, and optimistic.
• Exhibits can-do efficiency applied with good situational judgement.
• Is proactive, with the ability to prioritize/organize time and develop creative solutions to challenging situations.
• Possesses good people skills, with an ability to manage strong and varied personalities, and good communication skills.
• Exhibits a strong self-generated work ethic/industrious and has attention to detail while retaining an overview of priorities.
• Is comfortable with technology innovation and its associated IP processes on the path from basic discovery and invention to biomedical translation.

The ED position is a hands-on, direct responsibility job and requires the successful candidate to be able to perform most aspects of the position and oversee projects if contract support is required. There is not a plan to hire additional professional staff.

This is an Essential Reporting position. An employee designated as Essential Reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery, and is expected to report to campus as soon as possible.

Job Duties

• Manage Institute finances including project budgets and reporting for Merkin Institute programs.
• Supervise development of, manage, and oversee the Institute website.
• Organize and implement Institute-wide functions including symposia, retreats, workshops, and seminars.
• Interact directly with the Director, the Division Chairs, and senior campus administrators to coordinate Institute programs across campus.
• Take significant responsibility for preparation of the Merkin Institute Annual Report and work with the development and Institute relations stewardship team for donor reporting.
• Organize and coordinate meetings of internal and external Advisory Boards.
• Work with the Office of Technology Transfer to monitor any intellectual property created by members of the Merkin Institute and track IP as it is under development, including this as a reporting item.
• Coordinate with Caltech strategic communications on all public relations and news items.
• Assist faculty in all aspects of the preparation of collaborative grant applications, including writing, assembly, and submission.
• Work with the senior development officer assigned to the Merkin Institute to help coordinate fundraising efforts across campus.
• Work with the Merkin Family Foundation.

Basic Qualifications

• MA, MBA, PhD, MD or other bioscience-related post-graduate degree.
• Experience developing/managing biomedical and bioengineering intellectual property.
• Several years of administrative experience within a higher education environment or scientific research organization.
• Strong writing, editing, and meeting organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Familiarity with website design, navigation, social media, applications, and technology.
• Comfortable with basic mathematics, actuarial spreadsheets, and programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in project management is helpful in coordinating the various operating programs and events.
• Experience in the preparation and submission of grant proposals.
• Experience working with CROs.
• Experience preparing progress reports, and communicating with funding agencies.
• Experience working with funders of start-up companies.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV