Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge to benefit us all. As a biomedical research organization and philanthropy, HHMI supports a vibrant community of academic researchers, educators, students, and professionals. Together, we're unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.
HHMI's Headquarters is located on a beautiful 40-acre campus in the greater Washington, DC, metro area that is home to over 300 employees with strong cross-departmental collaboration between biomedical, legal, human resources, communications, information technology, as well coordination with HHMI's Center for the Advancement of Science Leadership and Culture, which plays a key role in HHMI's efforts to intentionally integrate equity and inclusion into research environments.
The HHMI Science Department supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation, and you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.
Summary:
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) seeks scientists interested in an outstanding professional opportunity to serve as a Scientific Officer or Senior Scientific Officer. This role would be perfect for someone who has experience running a lab and is looking for an opportunity to broaden their impact in science. This position is eligible for remote work, and if applicable, you can continue running your laboratory with HHMI support. Scientific Officers and Senior Scientific Officers are members of the HHMI Science Department and play a key role in HHMI's efforts to advance science and intentionally reshape the scientific ecosystem to make it more inclusive and equitable.
Our work focuses in the following areas:
Participate in the Evaluation of Current and Future HHMI Scientists including HHMI Investigators, Freeman Hrabowski Scholars, and Hanna Gray Fellows. This includes working with the Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer to design and implement competitions to ensure that they align with HHMI's overarching mission, values, internal policies, and equity and inclusion goals.
Liaise with HHMI Investigators and Freeman Hrabowski Scholars at universities and research centers across the U.S. regarding scientific and administrative matters.
Coordinate Programmatic and Operational Initiatives by developing policies for the Science Department that focus on promoting the best possible institutional framework for groundbreaking science that focuses on people, not projects. Scientific Officers and Senior Scientific Officers also interact with HHMI leadership across departments to coordinate institute operations.
Serve as an Impactful Leader by brainstorming and vetting ideas in collaborative sessions with the Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer and other senior leaders at HHMI. These sessions lead to decision making and implementation of actions designed to transform the scientific ecosystem.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about advancing science, committed to advancing equity and inclusion, and eager to collaborate with a team of highly competent professionals. This role will allow you to expand your impact from your current home institution to the broader scientific ecosystem in the United States. Scientists working in all areas of basic biological and biomedical sciences are encouraged to apply (click here for a list of current Scientific Officers and Senior Scientific Officers).
This is a full-time position that is eligible for remote work. Relocation to the Washington DC area is welcomed but not required. For those who choose to relocate, HHMI currently has a hybrid model at the Institute's administrative headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Active scientists may continue to run their lab at their institution for a proportion of their effort, with direct research support from HHMI, and paid travel to and from HHMI headquarters for in-person meetings as needed.
What we provide:
The opportunity to use your scientific expertise and broaden impact across the scientific landscape through this uniquely positioned role
The chance to work with and support outstanding scientists at all career stages at HHMI
Opportunities to use and develop your talents toward the critical work of advancing equity and inclusion while being an integral member of a dedicated team
Generous salary and the opportunity to serve in this role as a remote or hybrid employee
If applicable, direct HHMI research support for your laboratory at your home institution
What you bring:
Education
M.D. and/or Ph.D. plus significant experience overseeing research in basic biological and biomedical sciences required
Skills
Broad scientific interests and excellent scientific judgment
Demonstrated leadership ability and management skills
Effective decision-making, negotiation, communication, and mediation skills
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to be collegial and work with a team
Excellent analytical and organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
Ability to mentor and/or advise HHMI scientists and support staff at all career stages
Strength in scientific, programmatic, and policy writing
Interest in administrative work to support the work of HHMI scientists, including collaboration with legal, finance, communications, and human resources teams at HHMI
Available to travel to host institutions as needed, including overnight stays during the work week
Available to participate in evening activities associated with Science Department and other HHMI events including workshops, conferences, and program orientations
Experience
Scientific Officer: A minimum of 7 years of experience running a research laboratory (following first appointment as tenure-track assistant professor or equivalent). Experience as a Principal Investigator with current or past funding from nationally competitive grants or contracts from NIH, NSF, and/or other federal agencies or private funders. Administrative experience such as supervising graduate or MD/PhD programs, leadership in international societies, or on journal/grant review boards, federally funded center grants, or other significant administrative roles is preferred but not required. Substantial experience with programs designed to foster greater equity and inclusion in the scientific community.
Senior Scientific Officer: A minimum of 15 years of experience running a research laboratory (following first appointment as tenure-track assistant professor or equivalent). Experience as a Principal Investigator with current or past funding from nationally competitive grants or contracts from NIH, NSF, and/or other federal agencies or private funders. At least 5 years of administrative experience leading major academic programs or an academic department or with similar duties at a major research institute. Substantial experience with programs designed to foster greater equity and inclusion in the scientific community.
Application Instructions:
When applying, please attach:
A letter of interest that includes a high-level summary of the breadth of your scientific interests, your experience in science administration, and description of how you have supported open science, mentoring, and equity and inclusion in science. Please also comment on how in your view HHMI can advance these priorities through our Investigator, Freeman Hrabowski Scholar, and Hanna H. Gray Fellows programs (2-page maximum).
A full-length curriculum vitae (CV)
Scientific Officer Compensation Range
$197,246.40 (minimum) - $246,558.00 (midpoint) - $320,525.40 (maximum)
Senior Scientific Officer Compensation Range
$246,557.60 (minimum) - $308,197.00 (midpoint) - $400,656.10 (maximum)
Physical Requirements:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. #LI-EG1
Compensation and Benefits
Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.
