DESCRIPTION

Ripple Effect is accepting applications for a Science Officer who will be responsible for administering and reporting on a portfolio of CDMRP’s funded research projects.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Duty Location: Frederick, MD – CDMRP – Fort Detrick
• Position Information: Full-Time, Regular, and On Client-Site
• Vacancy: One Opening
• Security Level: A security clearance is not required to apply. Applicants, once hired, may be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Travel Required: This position requires occasional local travel (Washington, D.C. area) for work-related meetings.
• Relocation Expenses: No relocation expenses may be authorized for this position.
• Citizenship: US Citizenship required.

BACKGROUND

Ripple Effect works with federal, private, and non-profit clients to support some of the most crucial policies and programs that shape our nation. We provide professional consulting services in the areas of: Communications & Outreach; Program Management & Policy; and Research & Evaluation. Ripple Effect is an interdisciplinary environment, full of insightful and intentional people who value and reward adaptability, lifelong learning, and authenticity. To learn more about working at Ripple Effect and our growing team, check out the Careers section of our website.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), within the Department of Defense (DoD), funds biomedical research in response to the expressed needs of its stakeholders — the American public, the military, and Congress. CDMRP requires an experienced and cohesive team of scientists who can support all aspects of the grant execution and management process. Research includes breast, prostate, ovarian, kidney, and lung cancer, defense health, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis complex, autism, psychological health/traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury research, bone marrow failure, multiple sclerosis medical imaging, medical informatics, behavioral health, medical simulators, mobile health applications, medical robotics, deployed health, and other medical research programs. CDMRP is responsible for planning, coordinating, integrating, programming, budgeting, and executing these programs.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Science Officers are primarily responsible for grants administration, meaning that they handle everything from helping to negotiate the research grant, tracking progress throughout its life (reviewing annual reports and helping with any contract modifications that arise), assessing the relevance of reported publications and patents, and closing out the award. They serve as the primary point of contact for the funded investigator, acting as a liaison between the investigator and the contracting, regulatory, and other military sponsors. They will apply scientific knowledge and general understanding of grant funding to provide technical review and oversight of award negotiation and progress and provides recommendations to the government representative or contracting agency to support the organization’s mission.Specific duties may include:

• Provide scientific, management, and administrative support to CDMRP
• Administer research awards, including basic science and multi-institutional and multidisciplinary consortia, advanced therapeutic development, and clinical trial research awards

• Review proposals that have been recommended for funding, considering peer and programmatic review comments, and provide notes to the contracting agency to assist with award negotiation
• Identify missing regulatory information and documentation required for compliance

• Review the current and pending support documents for grant overlap issues to include duplication of funding with other agencies, either federal or private

• Identify notable research accomplishments and provide scientific writing support focused on highlights, program book content, annual report content, press releases, and other print and electronic products

• Maintain accurate grant files and track compliance through an internal electronic database system

• Assign and review portfolio codes for new research awards

• Facilitate communication efforts with the research protections office, contracting activities authority, and the Principal Investigator (PI) and their research team regarding issues with their research grant

• Identify research awards (i.e., clinical trials) that require specific project milestones and work with the contracting office, sponsor, and PI to establish appropriate metrics and milestones such as a one-year milestone for human subject’s approval

• Review quarterly, annual, and final technical progress reports

• Verify that the SOW is being followed and all regulatory approvals are in place for the work being done

• Assess the relevance of reported publications and patents

• Provide briefings regarding the research portfolio to CDMRP, USAMRMC and DoD leadership, as needed

• Participate in working groups, such as Program Evaluation, Consumer Working Group, SBIR/STTR, Technology Development Working Group, and the Internal Review Process, as a program resource

• May attend peer review, programmatic review, and scientific conferences as requested by CDMRP as a program resource

• Other administrative-related duties, as assigned

AREAS OF RESEARCH

Science Officers should specialize in an area of biomedical research. Areas of science may include, but not be limited to one of the following:

• Cancer
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Research
• Epilepsy Research
• Warfighter Research
• Military Burn Research
• Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research
• Parkinson’s Research
• Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury
• Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research
• Alzheimer’s Research
• Vision Research

REQUIREMENTS

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• PhD or Masters in a discipline relevant to scientific areas listed in the project description
• At least 3 years of experience in grants management, or a minimum of 5 years of experience conducting biomedical research
• Must be available during core CDMRP business hours and, as needed, for meetings

• Must work effectively in a team environment

• Demonstrate strength in oral and written communication skills, including ensuring that products are technically competent and professional looking

• Demonstrate leadership in activities, as appropriate

• Demonstrate solid methodological approaches

• Present findings and handle client meetings, as appropriate

• Use innovative, creative approaches when necessary (to meet novel needs and/or solve problems)

• Highly organized, efficient, and extremely detail-oriented

• Ability to prioritize among multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

• Ability to work productively in SharePoint to accomplish tasks

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Experience with clinical trials
• Experience in cancer research

• Portfolio management experience

• Strong computer database skills

• Knowledge of Electronic Grant System (EGS)

• Experience with human/animal subjects’ protection requirements

• Experience with military research or CDMRP programs