Program Manager, Health Science, Lab Ecosystem

Job Posting Organization:
The American Heart Association (AHA) was founded in 1924 and has since made significant strides in reducing cardiovascular disease deaths by half. The organization is dedicated to addressing major health challenges and accelerating progress towards a healthier future for all. AHA operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce committed to inclusivity and health advocacy. The organization emphasizes work-life harmonization and offers various resources to support its employees.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager, Health Science, Lab Ecosystem will play a pivotal role in managing and coordinating the global network of laboratories involved in The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) and related programs such as Food EDU and Good Food Fellows. This position is crucial for fostering collaboration and communication across these ecosystems. The manager will utilize their expertise in food composition analysis, food systems, and data science to facilitate the distribution and application of PTFI tools, data, and training. The role is designed to support the mission of the AHA in promoting health and wellness through scientific initiatives and educational platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Lab Ecosystem Manager will be responsible for several key functions:

• Content Generation: Collaborate in creating scientific reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate progress, findings, and best practices within the PTFI ecosystem.
• Communication: Act as the primary contact for the PTFI global ecosystem, addressing agreements and inquiries from data users and contributors. Facilitate communication between PTFI, Good Food Fellows, and Food EDU ecosystems. Guide data users to available resources, including PTFI data platforms and Food EDU training sessions.
• Coordination: Work closely with PTFI team members to support the onboarding of PTFI’s multi-omics tools, aligning workflows for the distribution of scientific training and Standard Operating Protocols for various processes including food collection, metadata modules, and data evaluation.
• Monitoring: Oversee tracking of PTFI deliverables and project timelines to ensure milestones are met and risk mitigation strategies are implemented. Provide feedback to enhance processes and offerings.
• Contracts and Agreements: Manage all aspects of contracts and agreements with collaborating labs, vendors, and service providers, ensuring deliverables are designed and processed efficiently 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, ideally with laboratory experience. Additionally, a minimum of 3 years of experience in interdisciplinary and multi-institutional projects is required, with global experience being preferred. Candidates should have a strong understanding of food composition analysis, food systems research, and data science, along with excellent organizational and communication skills to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse audiences. The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a global environment is essential, as is the 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 similar disciplines. Laboratory experience is highly desirable, as it will provide the necessary practical skills and knowledge to excel in this role.

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

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 beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, fixed-term position with current funding set to expire on June 30, 2026, although there is a possibility for 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, increasing with seniority, and 12 paid holidays annually. The organization supports professional development through tuition assistance and various employee resource groups.