Vice President of Research Administration

Vice President of Research Administration

Location: Bar Harbor, ME ; Portland, ME; or Farmington, CT

The Vice President of Research Administration (VPRA) of The Jackson Laboratory  (JAX) plays a pivotal role in driving the strategic, regulatory, and administrative management activities that underpin JAX’s research mission. This executive leader provides comprehensive oversight of operational research activities, ensuring the seamless implementation of policies that foster collaboration across diverse departments and stakeholders. The VPRA is instrumental in championing innovation, compliance, and excellence in all aspects of research administration.

Key Responsibilities (What you contribute)

• Leads the research administration team, ensuring robust support for pre-award activities and faculty initiatives. Drives the implementation of strategic initiatives to adapt to the evolving research landscape;
• Oversees the preparation and management of research grants, contracts, internal support mechanisms, compliance, non-monetary agreements, IP considerations, and other regulatory and administrative activities;
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the research mission, executing changes, continuous improvement and maintenance of contract management processes and systems;
• Collaborates with Sponsored Research Administration (SRA), legal, and business development to facilitate and support the execution of monetary and non-monetary research agreements;
• Works with research leaders to develop comprehensive plans and policies for research administration, including support for research budgeting, facilities oversight, and both short-term and long-term planning activities;
• Partners with data science leadership to ensure best practices for data use agreements and support the execution of data governance;
• Coordinates training research leaders and faculty to ensure effective processes for research reporting and compliance adherence;
• Oversees research regulatory and operational matters, evaluating and improving the research integrity plan to ensure appropriate reporting of research IP and resources to support the research mission;
• Oversees research centers, shared/core facilities and scientific services;
• Develops, implements, and maintains standard operating procedures and policies for all aspects of research administration and faculty affairs;
• Leads or participates in key strategic initiatives;
• Fosters and promotes a culture of research integrity and adherence to all federal, sponsored, and JAX regulations and policies;
• Serves as research representative on Emergency Operations Committee and other committees as assigned;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (What you're good at)

• MD, PhD, or MD/PhD;
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive responsibility in a research leadership role;
• Extensive expertise in biological research, demonstrated by a strong track record of publications, presentations, and scientific achievement;
• In-depth knowledge of federal regulations, grant writing, budgeting, and compliance protocols;
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple projects, and communicate effectively with various stakeholders;
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop long-term plans that support the growth of research programs;
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution;
• Strong mentoring and coaching experience, with a focus on developing team members;
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to multitask and adapt to changing environments;
• Superior management skills, with the ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers;
• Self-reliant and results-oriented, with a strong drive for achieving goals;
• Flexible, collaborative and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical research and operational initiatives;
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively interact with a broad and diverse audience, including board members;
• Demonstrated experience in fostering a culture of research integrity and compliance;
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and ensure adherence to all relevant policies and guidelines;
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions;
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in research administration practices.

Education: PhD required/ PhD preferred

Experience: 10 years required / 10 years preferred

Supervisory: 5 years required / 5 years preferred

LOCATION: This position will be based in one of our three campuses located in Bar Harbor, ME; Portland, ME; or Farmington, CT. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel regularly to the other campus locations.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and a current curriculum vitae.

Pay Range:  $222,619 - $391,993

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.