Scientific Project Manager

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Job title: Scientific Project Manager

Grade: 7

Salary range: £28,152 - £37,394 per annum

Limit of Tenure applies. The post is funded for up to 5 years.

Reference: PF07624

Scientific Project Manager

Cambridge University Department of Zoology are seeking to appoint a full time Scientific Project Manager to manage an external customer 5 year vaccine development programme funded by BARDA (US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority). The Programme budget is 24 m USD over five years including subcontracts with three international laboratories, two clinical trial sites and one global vaccine manufacturer.

Selected candidates must have a scientific background or relevant qualifications, and must be able to demonstrate a clear understanding and competence in the qualities and attributes of successful project managers, including organisational and fundamental project management skills.

Applicants are requested demonstrate these in a practical way within their personal application. Responsibilities will include customer reporting, sub-contract management and liaison. An appreciation of Earned Value Management would also be useful.

The Centre for Pathogen Evolution has secured a major multi-partner research award from the US government. The Lab currently manages 5 research grants worth £1.5m and employs 10-15 staff (researchers, support staff, PhD students).

Required skills and desirable experience for the position

Essential:

- A first degree in a relevant academic discipline

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and internet applications

- Ability to work closely with scientists and to understand their research priorities

- Ability to draft complex documents, to synthesise scientific concepts and to present scientific and financial data in the appropriate written or oral format

- The ability to review, develop and implement good administrative processes

- Good analytical abilities and critical thinking to facilitate problem resolution

- Proven interpersonal skills in consensus building

- Ability to interact with senior academic scientists, administrative staff internally and externally, research scientists and students

- Demonstrated ability to be organized and flexible in an environment which requires continuous monitoring of priorities

- Highly goal oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as in coordination with scientific team

- Has to be willing and able to grasp the scientific background to this project at a general level

Desirable:

- A Master’s degree in sciences or administration

- Administrative or project management experience in a science-related role and in a university or similar environment

- Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM)

Duties and responsibilities

The post-holder will carry out the following tasks:

- Take oversight as project manager and facilitator of the Consortium to maximise its efficiency and productivity.

- Support for the principal investigator (PI)’s monthly scientific reporting, timely gathering of information from scientists and drafting of reports.

- Work with the Consortium PI to develop scientific protocols, ethics applications, and other necessary documents.

- Management of the budget of 24 m USD over five years, and advising PI on forward-planning including hiring staff.

- Take responsibility for the EVMS (Enterprise Volume Management System - the funder’s specified project management system) monthly reporting requirement with the assistance of an external consultant, communications with subcontractors, Research Office, consultancy, BARDA.

- Monitor and report to the Consortium PI on financial spending.

- Other correspondence with BARDA, subcontractors on adjustments to contract, schedules etc

- Provide administrative support to the Consortium PI for additional grant applications focused on related projects and questions.

- Research into regulation affecting vaccine products, correspondence with Federal Drug Administration, US

How to apply

To apply for this vacancy, please click on the link in the 'Apply online' section of the advert published on the University's Job Opportunities pages. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

In the Upload section of the online application please upload:

- A cover letter including a section of up to 250 words describing your best achievements as a project manager

- Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please quote reference when applying: PF07624

Deadline: Tuesday 1 December 2015

Selection process: Candidate selection is scheduled for the week commencing 7 December 2015. Candidates will be invited to participate in a day of

1. Group Written Exam (60 mins)

2. Problem solving exercises and individual presentations (takes around 90 mins per group)

3. Selected candidates will be invited to individual interviews

The Department of Zoology

The Department of Zoology is a large, multi-disciplinary department whose members conduct research and teaching in areas ranging from molecular biology to behavioural ecology. There are over 300 staff and graduate students in the department; the academic staff includes 18 Fellows of The Royal Society. The department is in the heart of the city centre at the junction of Downing Street and Corn Exchange Street on the New Museums’ site. It is well placed for all of the Park and Ride bus routes and within a 20-minute walk of the railway station. The department prides itself on the excellence of its research and teaching, whilst at the same time providing a friendly and supportive working environment.

For further information and to apply for this role please click the APPLY button.