Program Manager I

Microbiome Collection Core Manager

The Microbiome Collection Core (MCC) enables population-scale microbiome research by developing, maintaining, and administering kits and biospecimens for high-throughput microbiome sample collection. The Manager's responsibility is to direct the development and execution of these collaborative microbiome sample collection projects, in tandem with the Genomics and Metabolomics Platforms, local microbiome centers, and other teams as needed (including individual labs and Broad affiliates). The MCC has developed a modular, room-temperature, USPS-compatible home microbiome sampling kit that has been used for over 40,000 collections to date. It includes components for several different types of oral or gut microbiome samples; molecular, microbial culture, or gnotobiotic animal data generation; standardized questionnaires and metadata to accompany each sample; user-friendly, graphical instructions; and an automated sample handling workflow compatible with Broad SSF data generation.

The position's activities include :

• Business development to identify and attract Core clients, typically through collaborative advising during the grantwriting or project design processes.
• Project management to ensure that the kits components necessary for each study are procured, correctly assembled by our external logistics provider, shipped to, and received from participants.
• Contract maintenance (in collaboration with the procurement office) with kit component vendors.
• Sustaining MCC finances and budget modeling through cost recovery for each project (in collaboration with sponsored programs).

This advanced position will have leeway to develop and carry out projects within the MCC, taking advantage of (and extending) its existing physical, intellectual, and community infrastructure. Strong interpersonal skills as well as some relevant technical experience are required (laboratory and / or computational), as is the ability and willingness to collaborate with and coordinate among diverse groups throughout Boston and within the Harvard Chan School.

Qualifications : Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Bioinformatics, or related field; experience with life sciences project management; strong, detail-oriented administrative and communication skills; working knowledge of basic software environments for LIMS and scientific computing; excellence in research, communication, and collaboration skills.