Scientific Program Analyst

Position Objective: Provide services as a Scientific Program Analyst in support of the overall functions of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NINDS Division of Neuroscience is seeking a Scientific Program Analyst to join the Neurogenetics cluster. The candidate will provide scientific and administrative support services to aid in the management of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network and NINDS's other human genetics and rare disease efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with staff on existing projects and/or the development, initiation and execution of new project initiatives.
• Work with staff on the concept development, planning, execution and support of all project-related activities.
• Organize and maintain project documentation and communications; track project progress using project management tools.
• Review and proofread programmatic documents describing scientific and management issues and policies related to their designated program.
• Track action items and tasks, provide deadline reminders to Program staff; maintain spreadsheets of relevant information.
• Request information from and provide responses to principal investigators program staff and others on scientific and programmatic issues.
• Provide programmatic support for the cluster grant activities in collaboration with other cluster Health Program Specialists including weekly receipt/referral activities, requisite research categorization grant database analyses, tracking for council activities, workshop logistics organization, representation on NINDS committees, interactions with other NINDS clusters pursuit of collaborative projects with Program staff. 5
• Work with staff on to conceive, design and perform detailed analysis of the scientific landscape and/or administrative factors affecting research program priorities and performance in various scientific areas; Review scientific, administrative, and fiscal aspects of such grants, and evaluate them for scientific progress, programmatic relevance and merit. 1
• Work with staff on the planning, development and implementation of immediate and long-range goals and objectives designed to strengthen and enhance the success of research programs. 3
• Develop communications and outreach strategies for programs in relevant scientific areas. Draft strategic plans, standard operating procedures, and guidelines for implementation of programmatic and administrative activities. 2
• Collect information on programs and grants to facilitate identification of scientific overlap and/or duplication, future scientific directions, workload distribution, etc.
• Collaborate with staff across NINDS on duties and assignments that are related to but may not exclusively fall within the Cluster’s purview.
• Provide scientific and administrative support to Program Officials in planning, coordination, evaluation, and communication of research in neuroscience and neurology to internal (NIH, NINDS staff) and external stakeholders (scientific community).
• Conduct literature searches in PubMed, Web of Science and other information sources; manage references using bibliographic software.
• Conduct search for material for a specific programmatic need, using a database to search for material in many cases.
• Organize and analyze reports in a scientific area as assigned.
• Read, interpret, analyze and condense material from a variety of sources for presentation.
• Create scientific search criteria for locating scientific, program and related information on the internet and other means, including literature and database searches.
• Conduct literature searches and provide summaries of findings as part of preliminary planning for new research activities and direction.
• Track project progress and provide regular reports.
• Demonstrate and share expertise in human subjects research by fielding questions from NINDS staff and providing advice on general and specific cases. 4
• Prepare scientific and programmatic presentation materials such as tables, graphs, slides, abstracts, posters and overheads by assimilating and mastering the scientific data and programmatic con-text for use at presentations and meetings.
• Analyze and develop presentations consisting of data from progress reports to be used by Program staff and at meetings in the overall analysis of Program progress.
• Conduct searches for material for a specific programmatic need and/or presentation; use a database to search for material as necessary.
• Organize existing slides/presentations/talking points into a functional database/library.
• Design, develop and maintain databases, Listservs, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and other computer applications.
• Collect, read, interpret, analyze and condense material from a variety of sources and prepare reports of data analysis for presentation.
• Prepare presentation materials such as handouts, meeting materials, slide presentations, and background/supplemental documents, spreadsheets, charts and graphs for conferences, committee, .meetings, workshops and group updates.
• Complete progress reports that detail project status and flag potential issues
• Prepare spreadsheets summarizing research efforts by grant mechanism and/or scientific topic.
• Prepare conceptual plans and other written products.
• Monitor the status of project applications and awards from peer review through post-award administration and produces documents and responses to requests for information required.
• Maintain current knowledge and familiarity with significant scientific advances, programmatic advances, and staff expertise in multiple areas of neuroscience research.
• Develop a template for reporting meeting minutes to Program staff.
• Attend meetings, training and conferences in support of program initiatives.
• Perform logistical planning for various scientific meetings, conference calls, symposia, lectures, workshops and special projects.
• Identify, assess, draft, edit, revise and assemble necessary background materials.
• Work with staff to identify key issues and track action items and tasks, providing deadline reminders to Program staff and update and maintain spreadsheets of relevant information.
• Represent the Program at local and national meetings; deliver presentations and posters; disseminate details of the Program and collect information of value to the Program goals.
• Draft, review and proofread programmatic documents, such as conference agendas, meeting agendas, letters to presenters, participant lists, handouts, emails, thank you letters and reports.
• Develop and make readily available training materials to increase awareness about the program.
• Work with staff to coordinate and plan scientific meetings, including communications with distinguished lecturers, invited guests and participants, registration and meeting logistics.
• Prepare and give formal presentations for division leadership and other interest groups.
• Coordinate with strategic project leaders on the logistics annual in-person Committee meetings, monthly teleconferences or videoconferences, and additional teleconferences, videoconferences or electronic reviews to address key issues.
• Maintain ongoing, proactive communication with key personnel throughout the initiative; gather, provide and exchange information with Network investigators, their staff and other relevant individuals.
• Provide scientific and administrative support to Program Officials in convening scientists/subject matter experts and key opinion leaders for science conferences, site visits, and other meetings and in preparing reports/summaries, traveling as needed.
• Develop, evaluate and refine solicitations designed to elicit high-quality research proposals from the scientific community.
• Interact with scientists as needed to help overcome administrative hurdles or provide additional insights or expertise regarding the preparation and submission of grant proposals, management of the grant, and compliance with requirements and expectations.
• Provide guidance to scientists on their research objectives, funding opportunity requirements, compliance documentation, and safety monitoring plans, as needed.
• Organize and coordinate program activities; manage agendas, meetings, background materials and minutes.
• Provide project management support for large and/or complex projects with internal and external stakeholders and other project participants.
• Ensure that all aspects of the programs are tracked and reported, key milestones and deliverables dates are known and adhered to, and that all individuals and partners involved are kept appraised of progress of integrated tasks and next steps.
• Work with the Director of Strategic Initiatives on the development of strategic plans, initiatives, solicitations and consultation activities.
• Draft funding plans; develop milestones and budgets for current and potential projects; and for transitioning projects through different phases and stages.
• Work with staff to assist and conduct management and administrative analysis; evaluate procedures, policies, processes and systems for the purpose of improving efficiency.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Genetics, Neuroscience, or a related discipline.
• Experienced with writing, reports, agendas, data analysis, public health, grant writing, clinical research, project management, strategic planning, and portfolio analysis.
• Experienced with Institutional Review Board (IRB) amendments and continuing reviews and Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions.
• Experienced with workshop and conference planning, human subjects research protection, and genomics.
• Knowledge of NIH grants and funding mechanisms.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.