Scientific Program Director (PhD) - Genetics & Genomics Research

The Scientific Program Director provides high-level scientific, regulatory, and operational leadership in support of science research programs within the assigned department. Working closely with Principal Investigator, faculty, research staff, trainees, institutional offices, administration, and external collaborators, this individual manages complex research initiatives from proposal development through execution and reporting.

The position serves as the primary administrative partner to faculty and trainees for sponsored research activities, including grant development, regulatory compliance, scientific reporting, project coordination, and research operations. The Senior Research Program Manager oversees multiple concurrent research programs, facilitates multidisciplinary collaborations, monitors project milestones and deliverables, coordinates regulatory submissions, and develops systems that support efficient and compliant research administration.

This role requires a strong scientific background in genetics, neuroscience, molecular biology, or related discipline, exceptional organizational and communication skills, and the ability to translate complex research objectives into effective operational plans.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary administrative and scientific contact for multiple research programs and complex multi-investigator initiatives, supporting studies utilizing both in vitro cellular systems and in vivo mouse models.
• Collaborating with PIs to coordinate project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements for federal and nonfederal funded research programs.
• Coordinate scientific meetings, advisory committee meetings, program reviews, and collaborative working groups by preparing agendas, assembling meeting materials, documenting action items, and tracking follow-up activities.
• Work closely with Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP) to coordinate collaborations among investigators, institutional departments, and external research partners.
• Assist investigators with scientific preparation and submission of federal and non-federal grant applications.
• Coordinate preparation of RPPRs, Just-in-Time submissions, supplements, and sponsor-required documentation.
• Preparation of data request submissions and annual progress reports to BioMe and public repositories (e.g. dbGaP, NIAGADs, NCRAD, UK Biobank).
• Partner with departmental pre-award and post-award grants administration teams to assist with budget development, monitor expenditures, review financial reports, identify spending trends, and ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines and institutional policies.
• Prepare, coordinate, and maintain regulatory documentation including IRB, IACUC, eSafety, biosafety, and other institutional compliance submissions, ensuring research activities remain compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Track protocol approvals, continuing reviews, amendments, and compliance deadlines.
• Coordinate research operations including equipment acquisitions, facilities coordination, service contracts, and laboratory logistics.
• Develop SOPs and administrative workflows that improve operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and mentoring of research personnel and junior administrative staff including screening candidates, interviewing technical staff, and working with HR on hiring and Labor Relations on termination.
• Participates in departmental initiatives, operational planning, and other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education Requirements

• PhD in Genetics, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field required. Master's degree with significant experience in scientific research administration may be considered.

Experience Requirements

• 5–8 years supporting academic biomedical research programs.
• Experience with NIH-funded grants and sponsored research administration.
• Experience preparing grant applications, progress reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Experience coordinating complex multi-investigator research programs.
• Background in genetics, genomics, neuroscience, or molecular biology strongly preferred.

General Skills and Competencies

• Strong scientific background with the ability to interpret biomedical research.
• Knowledge of NIH funding mechanisms and grant administration.
• Experience preparing IRB, IACUC, eSafety, and regulatory documentation.
• Excellent scientific writing and editing skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and research administration software.
• Experience using Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) or similar procurement and financial management systems is preferred. 

Employer Description

Strength through Unity and Inclusion
The Mount Sinai Health System is committed to fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to excellence. We share a common dedication to delivering outstanding patient care. When you join us, you become part of Mount Sinai’s unparalleled legacy of achievement, education, and innovation as we work together to transform healthcare. We encourage all team members to actively participate in creating a culture that ensures fair access to opportunities, promotes inclusive practices, and supports the success of every individual.

At Mount Sinai, our leaders are committed to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We strive to create an environment where collaboration, fairness, and continuous learning drive positive change, improving the well-being of our staff, patients, and organization. Our leaders are expected to challenge outdated practices, promote a culture of respect, and work toward meaningful improvements that enhance patient care and workplace experiences. We are dedicated to building a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and advance professionally. Explore this opportunity and be part of the next chapter in our history.

About the Mount Sinai Health System:
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time — discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it. Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes more than 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high "Honor Roll" status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics, top 5 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and top 20 in Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital among the country’s best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 11 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweek’s “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals” ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer, complying with all applicable federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate, exclude, or treat individuals differently based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, students, trainees, patients, visitors, and the communities we serve feel respected and supported. Our goal is to create a healthcare and learning institution that actively works to remove barriers, address challenges, and promote fairness in all aspects of our organization.

Compensation
The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) provides salary ranges that comply with the New York City Law on Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements. The salary range for the role is $115494 - $173241 Annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, education, and operational need. The salary range or contractual rate listed does not include bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation or benefits.