The Deputy Director, reporting directly to the Scientific Director (SD), will work closely the SD and with the Research Operations Manager to manage research programs on the Bar Harbor campus.  S/he will represent JAX-MG as needed in organizational committees, conduct special projects, participate in the development of policy and practice, operations, budgets, resource allocation and management. This individual will be an integral member of the JAX-MG leadership community.

In addition, the Deputy Director will lead special projects of the Office of the Scientific Director, including building and maintaining relationships with external partners.

The Deputy Director will be responsible for line management of administrative staff and operational staff as assigned.

Educational Requirements

Education Level Required-Doctorate Degree

Education Level Preferred-Doctorate Degree

Area of Specialization-Biomedical Research

Experience Requirements

Experience Required-5 years

Experience Preferred-8 years

Supervisory Requirements

Supervisory Experience Required-5+ years

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Faculty Management. Assist the SD in monitoring and managing faculty and staff research programs. Attend program and committee meetings as needed.

• Research Operations. Coordinate SD activities with leaders in Facilities, HR, Government Affairs, Safety, Education, IT, Finance, and Sponsored Research Administration to ensure that operations fully support scientific programs across JAX and enable integration of services for academic function. Represent the SD office in monitoring organizational changes, when new systems, processes and policies are implemented. Maintain active communication with other departments at JAX including the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Facilities Management, Advancement, Finance, and Legal to maintain smooth and effective research operations.

• Program and relationship building: The Deputy Director will assume committee assignments, representing the SD office in reporting on internal programmatic activities and engaging in external academic and industrial relationships.

• Administration: Perform administrative functions of the SD office, including but not limited to: approving legal and employment agreements, such as MTAs, CDAs, and alternative work agreements; approving travel requests and expenses; managing emeritus appointments; reviewing promotion requests for postdocs and research scientists and making recommendations to the Scientific Director; reviewing EHHS incident reports with staff, and other tasks as delegated. 

• Budget and space planning: Work with JAX Finance and staff of the SD office to create and regularly review JMG budgets and capital needs, managing costs and identifying efficiencies while integrating future planning. Liaise with Research Operations Manager to determine space needs at JAX-MG, and make recommendations to SD and CSO.

• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in spearheading research operations and education programs, as well as strong administrative skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively to solve problems, exercise sound judgment, and organize varied responsibilities

• Exceptional leadership skill set which should include maturity, drive, pragmatism, creativity, a sense of urgency and problem-solving abilities as key attributes.

• Strong communication and presentation skills and a proven ability to build organizational support for key programs. 

• Demonstrated skill to work collaboratively, act persuasively, and maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations; including conflict management techniques.

• Experience in project management and finance in support of strategic projects.  Working knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning.

• Stands in for the SD in Senior Management Team meetings when necessary to ensure that the SD office is well-represented in organizational meetings and decisions.

• Proactively engages with research faculty and staff across JAX to close gaps in support, engagement and partnership.

• Liaises with Research Operations Manager to ensure JMG’s plans for laboratory and office space utilization are aligned with projected growth in faculty and other program needs.

Organization Impact

• Supporting and coordinating the JAX-MG research administrative/operational leadership to advance the scientific goals of the Laboratory.

• Creating value-added efficiencies and enabling the SD to focus effort on research strategy and faculty development.

• Supporting the strategic goals of One JAX and seeking ways to promote greater synergy amongst sites and functional groups

• Acting as a positive role model for JAX-MG both internally (with all leaders/employees) and externally (with external partners/community etc.).

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with more than 2,400 employees. Headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine, it has a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in Augusta, Maine, a genomic medicine institute in Farmington, Connecticut, and facilities in Ellsworth, Maine, Sacramento, California, and Shanghai, 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.

JAX employees work in a collaborative, value-driven, and team-based environment where the focus is on advancing science and improving patients’ lives. Researchers apply genetics to increase the understanding of human disease and advance treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging, and heart disease. JAX was voted among the top 15 “Best Places to Work in Academia” in the United States in a poll conducted by The Scientist magazine!

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.