The Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation founded by philanthropists Dan and Jennifer Gilbert to address their two personal priorities and passions: accelerating a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and transforming the city of Detroit, Michigan. The Foundation is currently pursuing three bold NF1 research initiatives.

The Gilbert Family Foundation’s Gene Therapy Initiative (GTI) launched in December 2018, awarding about $12M over 3 years to 9 multidisciplinary teams consisting of distinguished gene therapy, neuroscience, and NF1 expert investigators. These projects focused on basic science to early preclinical proof-of-concept studies with the goal of identifying promising gene targeting strategies for NF1. In January 2022, the GTI launched a second series of projects to further the development of the initial projects and to explore additional gene-targeting therapeutic strategies. GTI is developing a variety of gene-targeting approaches, including gene editing, gene replacement, base editing, RNA editing, exon skipping, and nonsense mutation suppression, as well as viral and non-viral gene delivery systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess an advanced scientific and/or medical degree, including training in the biomedical sciences
• 5 years of relevant experience in drug discovery and/or development
• Successful track record as a mid-level project manager in a biomedical research environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in NF1 and/or gene therapy research programs
• Team leadership experience in the biomedical research environment

Job Summary

The Gilbert Family Foundation is searching for a Scientific Project Manager for GTI. The Foundation seeks a mid-level manager with an advanced scientific and/or medical degree and experience in drug discovery and/or preclinical development, ideally with experience in NF1 and/or gene therapy and extensive project management skills. The Scientific Project Manager will serve as the administrator for GTI; provide technical assistance to GTI applicants, grantees, and advisory board; review progress reports and conduct site visits to grantee institutions to determine the adequacy and progress of research; identify research areas warranting either increased or decreased funding emphasis; and work collaboratively with Gilbert Family Foundation leadership and team to achieve the overall goals of GTI.

The Scientific Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of projects, timelines, and deliverables for GTI. Using sound scientific judgement and understanding of GTI goals and objectives, the Scientific Project Manager will provide oversight for all GTI projects and activities. The Scientific Project Manager will represent GTI in the scientific community with professionalism and a deep understanding of the field and its challenges and will be expected to actively engage with GTI grantees and relevant communities to develop relationships and opportunities for collaboration and capacity building. The Scientific Project Manager will report to the Foundation’s Scientific Officer.

The ideal Scientific Project Manager is driven by an inquisitive mind and can deeply explore scientific ideas and research opportunities. They have a strong willingness to pursue novel ideas and facilitate collaborations towards a robust NF1 gene therapy research program. The Scientific Project Manager is a self-starter who can work independently but is also an excellent team player. The candidate should have a track record as a successful project manager with the ability to manage multiple biomedical projects and investigators at one time. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills are absolute musts.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing progress and financial reports, highlighting critical issues and reporting to Scientific Officer
• Conducting regular virtual meetings with grantees and in-person site visits to grantee institutions
• Leading coordination of GTI annual meetings
• Leading coordination of GTI advisory board meetings
• Providing support to grantees on data sharing activities
• Providing support to preclinical development activities
  Developing and nurturing relationships with GTI grantees and other experts in the field
• Identifying, engaging, and conducting due diligence on potential industry partners
• Identifying, engaging, and conducting due diligence on new opportunities related to GTI
• Keeping abreast of new developments and challenges in the field, and identifying resources to address such issues
• Providing support to the Scientific Officer as needed

Who We Are

The Gilbert Family Foundation is committed to growing opportunity and equity in Detroit and accelerating a cure for neurofibromatosis.

Disclaimer

This is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position. As with everything in life, things change. The tasks and responsibilities can be changed, added to, removed, amended, deleted and modified at any time by the leadership group.

We are proud equal opportunity employers and committed to providing an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all candidates and team members. Employment decisions, including hiring decisions, are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal law.

Colorado, New York City, California, and Washington Candidates Only. The salary range for this position is eighty-three thousand five hundred dollars to one hundred thirty-five thousand five hundred dollars. The position may also be eligible for an annual bonus and other employment-related benefits including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401K retirement plan, and paid-time off. More information regarding these benefits and others can be found here. The information regarding compensation and other benefits included in this paragraph is only an estimate and is subject to revision from time to time as the Company, in its sole and exclusive discretion, deems appropriate. The Company may determine during its review of the proposed compensation and benefits provided for this position, that the compensation and benefits for such position should be reduced. In no event will the Company reduce the compensation for the position to a level below the applicable jurisdictional minimum wage rate for the position.