NSF Convergence Accelerator Program Manager (Executive Director & Scientific Operations Manager )

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $115,000 to $130,700

Position Summary

The Columbia Nano Initiative (CNI/CISE) seeks a highly qualified Senior Program Manager for a grant-funded, one-year appointment with possible renewal to lead and manage research efforts across two Principal Investigator laboratories. The incumbent will serve as the NSF Convergence Program Manager in the Cornish Lab (50%), under the supervision of Professor Virginia Cornish, and as the Executive Director and Scientific Operations Manager in the Wang Lab (50%), under the supervision of Professor Harris Wang.

Responsibilities

• The Senior Program Manager will lead the operational execution, scientific integration, and commercialization strategy for TrueBlue, a $5M+ NSF Convergence Accelerator project developing a field-deployable microbial biosensor for PFAS detection. Responsibilities span program strategy, technical coordination, external engagement, and technology transition.

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  Lead full life-cycle program operations, including budget tracking, compliance, timelines, communications, and NSF reporting across a multi-institutional consortium (Columbia, CUNY, private-sector partners).

  
  
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  Manage all NSF deliverables, reviews, and milestone progress-including MVP development, field testing milestones, and commercialization-readiness benchmarks.

  
  
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  Maintain and facilitate the project's Collaboration Agreement, ensuring alignment across institutions and partners.

  
  
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  Oversee project governance structure, meeting cadence, decision-making processes, and documentation.

  
  

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  Support integration of interdisciplinary research across synthetic biology (GPCR yeast biosensors), ML-guided protein engineering, and CMOS bioelectronic device development.

  
  
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  Coordinate prototype and sensor development timelines, performance testing, field validation trials, and environmental confounder testing.

  
  
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  Track scientific dependencies across sub-teams to ensure seamless technical integration and risk mitigation.

  
  

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  Partner with Columbia Technology Ventures and commercialization advisors to support startup formation, investor engagement, pitch deck development, and IP strategy.

  
  
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  Manage technology transition frameworks, including manufacturing readiness, regulatory pathway mapping (EPA validation), and market-entry considerations.

  
  
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  Coordinate with contract manufacturers (Imperial Yeast, Promex) to scale up microbial and hardware production.

  
  

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  Serve as liaison to NSF, the Scientific Advisory Board, the User Community Advisory Board, and municipal water agencies.

  
  
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  Prepare high-level presentations, commercialization roadmaps, status updates, and stakeholder briefing materials.

  
  
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  Lead coordination of field testing pilots with NYC DEP and other national water utility partners.

  
  

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  Supervise junior scientific staff, project coordinators, and student contributors.

  
  
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  Foster a cohesive, cross-functional team culture across multiple disciplines and institutions.

  
  
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  Ensure clear communication flows, accountability structures, and documentation practices across teams.

  
  

• The Executive Director & Scientific Operations Manager supports several complex multi-investigator programs in systems biology, synthetic biology, microbiome research, gene and cellular therapy, and translational science. The role requires strong program management, regulatory strategy, scientific writing, operational leadership, and multi-lab coordination.

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  Lead and assist the PI and co-investigators in developing monthly technical and financial reports.

  
  
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  Manage major program requirements, including deliverables, milestones, scientific progress summaries, reagents, and reporting to funding agencies (DARPA/DoD experience preferred).

  
  
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  Coordinate scientific activities across Columbia labs, external collaborators, and partner research institutions to ensure timely and accurate progress.

  
  
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  Lead and organize cross-lab scientific meetings, project reviews, and milestone planning sessions.

  
  

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  Lead pre-IND regulatory engagement with the FDA in coordination with the Columbia Clinical Trials Office.

  
  
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  Prepare documentation and coordination for regulatory submissions (e.g., IND-enabling studies).

  
  
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  Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements for animal, human subjects, and computational research.

  
  
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  Independently draft IACUC and IRB protocols and maintain ongoing compliance documentation.

  
  

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  Oversee program operations and administrative processes to support project goals and deliverables.

  
  
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  Direct resource allocation and budget execution for multi-million-dollar, multi-year research programs.

  
  
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  Work closely with the finance team to generate monthly or quarterly financial reports.

  
  
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  Develop operational systems to assess productivity, monitor fiscal needs, and anticipate long-term resource requirements.

  
  

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  Serve as primary communication liaison with sponsoring agencies (DARPA, DoD, NIH), program officers, and institutional leadership.

  
  
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  Prepare formal and informal scientific communications, project summaries, regulatory packages, and administrative reports.

  
  
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  Assist with the development of manuscripts, grant applications, and scientific publications.

  
  
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  Draft communication materials for broader audiences, including press releases, program summaries, and external presentations.

  
  

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  Support the PI in managing a large multi-personnel program (>15 team members across multiple labs).

  
  
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  Contribute to hiring decisions, performance reviews, competency assessments, and professional development planning.

  
  
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  Provide HR-related coordination across multiple investigator groups and support implementation of program-level policies and procedures.

  
  
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  Monitor team dynamics, address challenges, and cultivate an engaged, collaborative research environment.

  
  

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  Support the commercialization of program results, including participation in accelerator programs (e.g., Columbia Technology Ventures).

  
  
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  Contribute to IP strategy, partnership cultivation, and identification of industry collaboration opportunities.

  
  
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  Participate in developing plans for the translation of emerging technologies into clinical, manufacturing, or market pathways.

  
  

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  Coordinate communication and research integration between Columbia labs and partner institutions.

  
  
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  Assist in developing strategic plans for new grants and future program funding (public and private sources).

  
  
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  Provide broad operational support across experimental, administrative, compliance, and reporting activities as needed.

  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required 5-7 years of experience managing complex, federally funded translational research programs, with demonstrated success in program execution and commercialization.
• Prior experience managing DARPA, NSF, or NIH-funded initiatives (preferably large, multi-component projects) with multi-million-dollar budgets and diverse stakeholder environments, including knowledge of budget management, project reporting, supervision of staff, and knowledge of federal compliance requirements.
• Expertise in research operations, grant administration, stakeholder communication, and intellectual property navigation. Demonstrated experience facilitating technology transition and interfacing with regulatory, commercialization, and manufacturing partners.
• A strong familiarity and interest in the field of gene therapy and genome engineering, its clinical and translational implications, computational biology/bioinformatics, molecular biology, microbiome research, radiation biology, and systems biology. Graduate-level experience in genetics, microbiome research, gene therapy, drug delivery, CRISPR technologies, molecular or systems biology, or a related field.
• Experience with writing scientific components of grant proposals and reports. Sufficient familiarity with scientific aspects of research to draft text independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including post-graduate experience in research, program management, or scientific writing/editorial skills, and external presentation development.
• Independence and self-initiative are essential for this role.
• Master's degree or higher in a scientific or technical field (e.g., Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Health, Healthcare Administration) preferred.
• A PhD in a relevant field is strongly preferred. Published scholarly work in the related field is preferred.
• Background in biotechnology, synthetic biology, environmental sensing, or public health diagnostics.
• Familiarity with regulatory science (e.g., EPA, FDA) and public sector procurement processes.
• Experience developing pitch materials and coordinating seed-stage startup formation.
• Proven ability to foster collaboration across academic, industrial, and public sector institutions.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.