Assistant Director - Developmental Therapeutics Core (Sr Research Associate)

Department: CLP - DTC
Salary/Grade: RES/

Job Summary:

The Developmental Therapeutics Core (DTC) of Northwestern University has an immediate opening for a Sr Research Associate who will serve as the Assistant Director - Developmental Therapeutics Core providing scientific, operational, financial, and regulatory leadership and to lead the continued growth of this highly productive, in-demand translational research resource.

The DTC is a core facility within the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute (CLP) at Northwestern University. From involvement in landmark Alzheimer's studies to revolutionary new treatments for cancer, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease, and addiction, DTC plays a critical role in advanced biomedical research and the translation of novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices.

The Core provides a comprehensive suite of fee-for-service support services including in vitro and in vivo assessment of drug activity and mechanism of action, efficacy studies, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), biodistribution, toxicology, biomarker analyses, imaging-based studies, microbiome-related research, patient-derived xenograft (PDX), orthotopic, syngeneic and humanized animal models, device evaluation studies, scientific consultation, project management, and clinical trial support in a fast-paced translational research environment.

A complete application should include:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Summary of Research Accomplishments
• Contact information for three references (name, postal and email addresses, phone number)

This is 3-year term position. Opportunity for renewal will be based on performance and available funding

Specific Responsibilities:

• Communicate and collaborate with principal investigators, industry sponsors, students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff to develop study objectives, experimental designs, timelines, budgets, and translational research strategies
• Serve as the primary scientific and operational resource for the Core and independently manage multiple complex projects and stakeholders with minimal supervision.
• In coordination with the Faculty Advisory Board, develop and implement a robust strategic plan for the facility, including scientific growth, financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and expansion of services.
• Organize, prepare materials for, and present Core utilization metrics, financial performance, scientific accomplishments, strategic initiatives, and recommendations during biannual Advisory Board meetings.
• Hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate DTC technical staff while fostering professional development and maintaining a collaborative research environment.
• Write and manage blanket IACUC protocols and amendments and oversee staff compliance with animal welfare, biosafety, human research safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Work with the Northwestern IACUC, Center for Comparative Medicine, and other institutional regulatory offices to ensure that animal care and handling meet the highest possible standards.
• Provide scientific leadership in the design, execution, troubleshooting, interpretation, and reporting of complex in vitro and in vivo studies that meet the highest standards of rigor, reproducibility, and translational relevance.
• Provide scientific consultation regarding study design, power analysis, endpoint selection, animal model selection, statistical considerations, and data interpretation.
• Perform and oversee data analyses and preparation of final study reports for academic, government, foundation, and industry-sponsored projects.
• Ensure that data records, analyses, and reports meet the highest standards for transparency, reproducibility, and scientific integrity.
• Develop project scopes of work, quotations, budgets, and timelines and oversee customer billing and recharge activities in collaboration with the CLP business office.
• Develop annual reports, cost studies, utilization analyses, recharge rate recommendations, budget forecasts, and operational reports required for long-term financial sustainability.
• Oversee marketing and outreach activities and develop internal and external collaborations and partnerships to increase utilization, revenue generation, and scientific impact.
• Assist investigators with grant applications, letters of support, manuscript preparation, and translational research planning.
• Represent the Core at institutional seminars, scientific meetings, conferences, and external collaborations.
• Create SOPs and ensure that these SOPs are accurately reflected in executed studies and projects.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in biological sciences, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline

• Minimum 10 years of relevant research associate, laboratory, translational research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, CRO, or core facility experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Cell culture, animal handling, microscopic analysis, and aseptic method.

• Euthanasia and harvesting/collection of organs of mice with completion within a reasonable time frame.

• Animal treatment methods including IP, SC, IV and related dosing procedures.

• Data recording, tracking, analysis, interpretation, and report preparation.

• IACUC protocol creation, amendment preparation, regulatory compliance, and protocol execution.

• Project management experience in industry, academia, CRO, or core facility environments.

• Management, training, supervision, and mentoring of personnel.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to independently lead and manage a complex preclinical research program or core facility

• Three or more years of management and leadership experience.

• Experience with xenograft, orthotopic, syngeneic, humanized, metastatic, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.

• Experience with pharmacology, toxicology, PK/PD, imaging platforms, and translational drug-development studies.

• Experience developing collaborations with academic investigators, industry sponsors, external research organizations, and institutional core facilities

• Proven leadership, strategic planning, business development, financial management, and operational planning experience.

• Experience supporting grant applications, scientific publications, letters of support, and translational research programs

• Record of successful management of multiple concurrent projects with minimal supervision.

• Experience with imaging modalities (LM, EM, IVIS, optical imaging), aseptic method, proliferation assays, and western blotting

• Experience writing scientific reports for users, clients, and external sponsors

• Self-motivated, well-organized, and able to thrive in a fast-paced research environment

• Management experience in a core facility or pre-clinical testing environment in academia, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical research

• Record of exemplary rigor and reproducibility in experimental design, execution, analysis, and reporting.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.