Executive Director

Executive Director, Scientific Citizenship Initiative

Summary
The Scientific Citizenship Initiative (http://www.scientificcitizenship.org) at Harvard Medical School aims to make science more socially responsive and responsible by empowering scientists to collaboratively engage with and lead their communities and society. This is a new cross-institutional effort aimed at the important intersections of science, leadership, policy, ethics and civic life. SCI is seeking an Executive Director who will drive this initiative forward in partnership with the Faculty Director and the SCI Leadership Team, by developing curricula to integrate skills for effective civic engagement into scientific training, linking these skills to multiple careers in the innovation ecosystem and creating incentives to encourage scientists to engage collaboratively with their communities. The Executive Director collaborates with the Faculty Director on strategic planning and vision for SCI, and oversees all technical aspects of SCI’s functions including research projects, curriculum development and fundraising. We anticipate that the novel approaches required to make SCI a success will result in the Executive Director developing independent scholarly activities such as research, writing and teaching.

Essential functions
The Executive Director works with the Faculty Director and independently to build SCI and advance its public profile and impact among students, faculty, practitioners and community stakeholders. Primary responsibilities include:
• Developing a strategic plan and vision to establish SCI as a leader in educational innovation for scientists, in collaboration with the Faculty Director.
• Pursuing rigorous high impact pedagogical and research projects related to the professional development of STEM trainees (undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral) and faculty, in the area of preparation for careers and activities at the interface of science and society.
• Developing a short and long-term fundraising strategy for SCI.
• Presenting SCI’s vision and research publicly at conferences, networking and outreach events.
• Overseeing SCI fellowship programs for graduate students, including candidate selection, mentoring, and feedback on fellowship projects; develop new fellowship programs for undergraduates and postdoctoral fellows.
• Building and strengthening new and existing relationships, programs, and initiatives with relevant counterparts at Harvard and other universities in Boston, and nationally.
• Managing SCI staff and oversee SCI functions, including the development of programming and instructional materials.

Additional responsibilities
Where appropriate, the Executive Director will:
• Pursue relevant scholarship
• Offer seminars, lectures and other forms of public engagement

Basic Qualifications
Graduate degree (Masters, professional graduate degree or PhD) required, with a demonstrated interest in developing educational materials. Candidates with experience in and/or additional training relevant to the interface between science and society e.g. science, technology and society (STS), science communication, public policy/science policy, or science advocacy will be preferred, as will candidates with experience in program building and management. Excellent communication, organizational, and writing skills are required.

Additional Qualifications
The person in this role should feel comfortable interfacing with senior leaders in a wide variety of settings, both within and outside the scientific community; this will require excellent judgement, strategic thinking, ability to work independently and organizational leadership skills. The applicant should be able to take initiative, anticipate and resolve problems, implement general directives and principles, and assist with strategic planning. The applicant should also be able to identify expertise and resources necessary to implement new ideas, and have a strong commitment to program evaluation and improvement. As SCI is a new initiative, the applicant should be open to contributing in all ways necessary to build an effective organization.

To apply, send CV, cover letter and a writing sample to SCI_Jobs@hms.harvard.edu Applicants should include a writing sample (shorter than 5 pages, not heavily edited by others) that demonstrates the applicant’s writing and analytical skills and ability to generate interesting, original ideas. This can be a draft rather than a publication. Applicants who already have publications may also submit PDF copies of up to two additional published writings. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2019.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.