Scientist, Research (Cures - Cell Therapy)

Company Description

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.5 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers in chapters across the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement, and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter @JDRF.

As a JDRF team member, you can look forward to interesting and challenging work, building strong relationships with fellow staff and our network of volunteers, and having a meaningful impact on the lives of everyone affected by this devastating disease. JDRF supports a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Description

JDRF is hiring to fill a Scientist position within the Research Department to work primarily in the JDRF Cures Program’s Cell Therapy project and help us achieve our vision of a world without T1D through the development of beta cell replacement therapies. (For more information on the Cures Program’s scientific strategy visit our website: https://grantcenter.jdrf.org/research-strategy/. The new Cures program scientist will be part of a highly interconnected and fast-moving team that is responsible for setting and driving JDRF’s research strategy for type 1 diabetes. While working primarily on the Cell Therapy project, the scientist will have the opportunity to work in other areas within the Cures Program— Screening for high-risk individuals and Disease Modifying Therapies.

The scientist will be responsible for building and actively managing a portfolio of cutting edge research and development projects with a diverse range of partners including world leading scientists in academia, industry, other funding organizations, and others both in the United States and across the globe. In this role the scientist will have the opportunity to develop new scientific projects which are often designed collaboratively with the scientific community and maintain regular contact with funded investigators to monitor JDRF’s active portfolio. Due diligence and landscape analyses activities are a requisite part of this proactive portfolio management. The scientist must demonstrate creativity, scientific rigor, and the ability to think strategically in order to advance the field. Our mission is highly translationally focused, so the candidate should have a strong interest in human diseases and understand the basic concepts of discovery and translational research and advancing therapies towards clinical trials. Experience with product development and translational research is desired but not required.

Additionally, the scientist will serve as an internal expert in their specialty areas and function as a knowledge resource internally and externally. As a key opinion leader (KOL), the scientist will also be responsible for communicating JDRF’s research strategy and progress to various stakeholders ranging from internal and external scientists, senior management, board members, JDRF supporters, volunteers and the broader T1D community. JDRF scientists develop and deliver presentations for live audiences and contribute to a variety of written documents about the research we support. Therefore, strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, and presentation skills are desired.

This position will report to the Associate Director of Research overseeing the Cell Therapy portfolio and will participate in all aspects of the JDRF research program including providing scientific input to accelerate the progress of therapeutic areas, contributing to future research strategies aligned with JDRF’s mission, and leveraging opportunities and optimizing relationships within the US and international research communities.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy and Planning

• Analyze scientific and commercial landscapes to identify gaps, barriers, challenges, and opportunities and determine how JDRF can maximize our impact.
• Contribute expertise to strategic planning efforts to advance the Cell Therapy portfolio in areas of stem cell-derived beta cell development, cell/organ transplantation, autoimmunity, allogeneic and xenogeneic immune responses, gene editing, bioengineering, biomaterial science and others.
• Contribute to the regular assessment, review, and presentation of the status of the research portfolio to the Board of Directors and external scientific advisors.

Portfolio management

• Development of new research funding opportunities with internal and external stakeholders (academic scientists, industry partners, etc.).
• Participation in scouting, securing, and managing research partnerships with companies, other non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, etc.
• Collaborate with other JDRF scientists and non-scientific staff (program administrators and managers, clinical trial managers, business development colleagues, regulatory and health policy experts) to identify gap-filling funding opportunities
• Internal review and management of external peer review of funding opportunities.
• Active management of ongoing grants.
• Work closely with program administrators to plan, track, and execute on the research budget.

Communications

• Generate and deliver presentations on JDRF Research strategy and progress to lay and expert stakeholders.
• Create content for public media outlets in collaboration with internal Marketing and Communications team.

Note that experience performing the Specific Responsibilities listed above is not a prerequisite for the position, but an enthusiasm to learn is.
Qualifications

• 
  Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in biomedical sciences required. 3-4 years of postdoctoral experience in drug or product development preferred. Title will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Working expertise in one or more of the following areas required:

o Stem cell biology
o Beta cell biology
o Immunology
o Human genetics
o Mechanisms of human diseases, especially autoimmune disease
o Allo- and xenogeneic cell/organ transplantation
o Regenerative medicine
o Cell/tissue engineering
o Gene editing
o Other areas of interest: implantable scaffolds, vascularization, cell encapsulation, controlled drug delivery, immune engineering.

• Ability to create, operate and innovate within highly connected team environments with high level of independence.
• Exceptional collaboration and relationship-building skills. Ability to interface with stakeholders of highly diverse backgrounds, including staff and volunteers. Must develop, maintain, and cultivate relationships.
• Demonstrate creativity and ability to think strategically regarding scientific and technical opportunities or roadblocks, and to conceive and execute on projects.
• Ability for and interest in developing expertise in new scientific areas.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Additional Information

Resumes without cover letters will not be considered

To protect the health and safety of our employees, all employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have a COVID-19 booster shot regardless of location or position. This includes those with remote status. Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. JDRF will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

JDRF supports a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.