Vice President and Senior Scientific Officer, SFARI

ABOUT AUTISM & NEUROSCIENCE

The Autism and Neuroscience Division is comprised of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), Neuroscience Collaborations, and Informatics. The mission of SFARI is to advance the basic science of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders and the goal of the Neuroscience Collaborations is to bring together outstanding scientists to address fundamental questions about brain function. The Informatics team works across the division to operationalize its commitment to open science. The division funds innovative research, promotes field-building and collaboration, data sharing and open science, and develops data, tools, and resources that accelerate discovery.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Autism and Neuroscience (A&N), the Vice President and Senior Scientific Officer (VP/SSO) will serve as a member of the division’s leadership team and oversee a team of 3 – 5 Scientific/Senior Scientific Officers. The incumbent will oversee a large grant portfolio composed of research in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, which spans a wide range including genetics/genomics, developmental biology, molecular and cell biology, circuit and systems neuroscience, and human subjects research. The VP/SSO will also provide strategic input to the EVP on SFARI’s overall grants portfolio (which currently includes grants to 300 Investigators), and on plans for new Request for Applications (RFA).  

In addition, the VP/SSO will contribute to SFARI’s entire scope of activities, which include clinical cohorts and biorepositories (e.g., SPARK, Simons Searchlight,  Autism BrainNet), animal models (e.g., mice and rats) and induced pluripotent stems cells. SFARI operates with an annual budget of approximately $100 million. It is expected that this role will complement the current scientific knowledge areas on the team and have a strong focus on basic science and computational approaches. The VP/SSO will partner closely with another SFARI VP/SSO who oversees SFARI’s autism cohorts and cohort-related grant funding.

As a member of the A&N leadership team, the VP/SSO, SFARI will also work closely with the VP Neuroscience Collaborations, the VP Informatics, the Senior Director SFARI Data and Biorepositories, and the VP Finance and Administration. Under the direction of the EVP, the leadership team works on overarching strategy, defining scientific goals, and steering day-to-day operations. Members of the A&N leadership team also work collaboratively with the SFARI administrative and program management teams and with members of the Simons Foundation’s leadership and shared services teams.

This is a full-time position located at the Simons Foundation offices in New York City, and travel to conferences is expected. Visit the Simons Foundation career page to learn more.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the scientific lead for the SFARI grants process. This includes RFA development, evaluation of progress of funded grants, leading scientific review panels, making funding recommendations, analysis of current portfolio, etc.  In addition, the VP/SSO will work to ensure that SFARI RFAs optimally leverage SFARI resources, including its cohorts, data, and biospecimens. Lead process improvement efforts pertaining to the full grant making cycle.

• Manage a portfolio of funded grants. This includes working directly with investigators to evaluate progress and review relevant reporting, working in collaboration with the Simons Foundation’s grants team.

• In close coordination with the EVP and the second VP/SSO, contribute to shaping and advancing SFARI’s strategic planning and scientific priorities. Organize and lead working groups and workshops/meetings with the aim of refining SFARI’s scientific priorities and developing new scientific initiatives.

• In partnership with SFARI leadership, design strategies to increase inclusive excellence in autism research, work to advance scientific collaboration and data sharing, and identify opportunities to partner with other organizations.

• Provide leadership support for Autism BrainNet (ABN).  In partnership with the SFARI SSO who oversees ABN, and the ABN Principal Investigator, organize scientific workshops to define program goals and strategy in pursuit of advancing ABN’s mission, assemble and coordinate the ABN Scientific Advisory Council.

• Partner with other funders in the autism space to ensure synergy/non-duplication of efforts. This may include collaborating across multi-disciplinary scientific and computational fields to bring new ideas to understanding autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Maintain a future focus on emerging fields that may bring new scientific tools, technologies and approaches to autism research.

• Stay abreast of the field of autism research and related fields by reading the relevant scientific literature and by attending relevant external scientific seminars and meetings nationally and abroad. Attend relevant scientific seminars, workshops and courses hosted by the Simons Foundation, including the Flatiron Institute.

• Collaborate with the Simon Foundation’s communications team. Make recommendations for areas of science to highlight on the website and newsletters, contribute content, review draft articles, etc.

• Oversee a team of Scientific/Senior Scientific Officers. Provide support and guidance to the team as needed.

• Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A Ph.D. and/or M.D. in a neuroscience-related field, ideally relevant to the study of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Experience

• 10+ years of work experience post-training including 5+ years of strong operational management with a proven track record of leading, developing and motivating high-performing teams who are experts in their field.  

• Strong scientific background, and broad knowledge of neuroscience to complement a senior team with expertise in genomics, molecular and cell biology, neural circuits, and human subjects research.

• Foundation in computational approaches to neuroscience, biology, or a related quantitative discipline.

• Ability to recognize and support the value of integrating theoretical and computational methods with experimental approaches in neuroscience.

• Deep understanding of academic neuroscience research and strong knowledge across human and animal model systems.

• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, neuroscientists, geneticists, and experimental researchers to address scientific questions.

• Experience with data-sharing and open science initiatives. 

• Experience working with neuroscientists resulting in strong connections across the field.

• Experience directing an independent research group is strongly valued.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Ability to think broadly and critically about scientific problems and experimental approaches

• Integrity and strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)

• Resilience in making tough decisions

• Strong commitment to enhancing scientific understanding of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders

• A collaborative spirit, commitment to positive team culture, and flexibility

• A commitment to inclusive excellence

• A commitment to open science

• Ability to travel to attend scientific meetings domestically and internationally

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $275,000 – $350,000, dependent on experience.

• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

•  Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.