Program Manager, Health Science, Lab Ecosystem

Job Posting Organization:
The American Heart Association (AHA) was founded in 1924 and has been at the forefront of cardiovascular health initiatives for nearly a century. The organization has successfully reduced cardiovascular disease deaths by half, but recognizes that there is still much work to be done to address ongoing health challenges. The AHA operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to improving health outcomes. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and focuses on work-life harmonization, ensuring that employees feel valued and heard. The AHA's mission is to create a world of longer, healthier lives, and it actively engages in various health initiatives and educational programs to achieve this goal.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager for Health Science, Lab Ecosystem will play a pivotal role in supporting the American Heart Association's National Center office, specifically in relation to the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI). This position is designed for individuals who are passionate about health science and have a strong background in food composition analysis, food systems, and data science. The role is primarily home-based, allowing for flexibility while still requiring strong communication skills to facilitate collaboration across global networks. The Program Manager will be responsible for coordinating efforts among laboratories involved in the PTFI and related programs, ensuring that stakeholders are equipped with the necessary tools, data, and training to drive data-driven solutions for healthy food systems. This position is full-time and benefits eligible, with funding currently available until June 30, 2026, with potential for extension.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Lab Ecosystem Manager will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Content Generation: Co-create scientific reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate progress, findings, and best practices across the PTFI ecosystem.
• Communication: Act as the primary point of contact for the PTFI global ecosystem, addressing agreements and responding to inquiries from data users and contributors.
• Coordination: Collaborate closely with PTFI team members to facilitate the onboarding of multi-omics tools and align workflows for scientific training distribution.
• Monitoring: Oversee tracking of PTFI deliverables and project timelines, ensuring milestones are met and risk mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Contracts and Agreements: Manage all aspects of contracts and agreements with collaborating labs, vendors, and service providers, including the design of deliverables and coordination with legal and administrative teams.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a relevant scientific field such as Nutrition, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Public Health, Environmental Science, or a related discipline. Additionally, candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in interdisciplinary and multi-institutional projects, with global experience being preferred. A strong understanding of food composition analysis, food systems research, and data science is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a global environment is crucial, along with a willingness to travel up to 10%, including international travel.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a relevant scientific field. This could encompass areas such as Nutrition, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Public Health, Environmental Science, or other related disciplines. Laboratory experience is highly desirable, as it will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the scientific aspects of the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of experience in participating in interdisciplinary and multi-institutional projects. Candidates with global experience will be preferred, as this role involves collaboration across various international stakeholders. The experience should ideally include knowledge of food composition analysis and familiarity with food systems and data science.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the global nature of the role and the need for effective communication across diverse audiences. Additional language skills may be considered beneficial, particularly if they align with the regions where the PTFI operates.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position with a fixed-term opportunity, currently funded until June 30, 2026, with the possibility of extension. The expected salary range for this position is between $100,000 and $115,000, commensurate with experience. The American Heart Association offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, as well as a robust retirement program with employer matching. Employees are also entitled to a minimum of 16 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, which increases with seniority, along with 12 paid holidays. The organization supports professional development through tuition assistance and access to an extensive online university, HeartU.