The Project Coordinator provides day-to-day scientific project support to specific research programs supported by the Office of Research Development (OOR). Working in partnership with OOR staff, investigators and operational teams to drive the development and implementation of high-impact, complex, scientific projects and interdisciplinary research initiatives. This role supports rigorous project management practices to advance research outcomes and Salk’s Institutional mission.

The Project Coordinator will work closely with scientists and administrative teams to support research efforts related to a multi-institutional project to advance sonogenetics as a noninvasive therapeutic.

Expected duration for this position is up to 18 months; however, employment is at-will and the duration may change based on business needs. This is a part-time position, expected to work approximately 20-25 hours per week. Work hours and schedule may vary based on business needs.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Facilitates the coordination of project/program management activities, including establishing timelines, tracking, managing communications, and maintaining project schedules, setting and monitoring milestones and progress, monitoring expenses, and facilitating collaboration by bridging teams across different disciplines and applying project management best practices.
Acts as a key liaison and facilitates interactions between Principal Investigators and scientific teams, administrative departments, sponsor agencies, and other collaborative partners.
Identifies and assesses risks and opportunities, facilitates problem solving, contingency planning, and decision-making. Independently assess the need to escalate.
Coordinates interdisciplinary and operational meetings to ensure alignment across scientific disciplines and operational stakeholders.
Maintains project documentation, dashboards, and tracking systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely reporting of project progress.
Coordinates, drafts, and provides input to the preparation of major presentations, status updates, publications, progress reports, and other deliverables.
Accountable for project day-to-day operations (plans, agendas, minutes, action items, tracking, follow-ups, calendaring, event organization, compliance checklists).
Performs other related duties as assigned by management

What We Require

At least two years of related experience in either a project/program position or a lab or research environment.
Proven track record in project/program coordination.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary scientific teams.
Bachelor's Degree in Science (BS) in biological science or related discipline from a four-year college or university.
Computer skills required: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project Management Software, General utilization of LLM and generative AI models.
Other skills required: Strong understanding of standard operating procedure development and implementation. Ability to create feasible action plans and anticipate risks and proactively create contingency plans in collaboration with project teams.

Preferred

Prior project/program coordination experience in a lab or research environment.
Advanced degree (MS, PhD) in biological science or related discipline.
PMP Certification.
Experience working in the fields of physics, neuroscience, cancer research or plant biology.
Experience writing NIH grants (or equivalent).

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $30.00 to $33.00 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

Any combination of characteristics.
A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

Salk Institute for Biological Studies

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