NITMB Director for Research

NITMB Director for Research –
University of Chicago

PSD Data Science: NITMB Group

The NSF‑Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology (NITMB) is a partnership between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. The institute integrates mathematics and biology to transform biological research and inspire new mathematical discoveries. The staff support a community of scholars, shared ideals, and core values, working with both universities to provide infrastructure and resources that encourage faculty and scholars to pursue their finest work.

The NITMB seeks a highly experienced Director for Research to lead research and evaluation efforts. The Director will strategically manage research initiatives and internal and external partnerships, report to the NITMB Faculty Deputy Director for Research, and work with the Director of Operations to sharpen the research vision. Responsibilities include building relationships with agencies, developing grant proposals, leading a team of research professionals, and positioning the NITMB as a national hub through large‑scale funding and industry partnerships.

• Develop and manage relationships with faculty and stakeholders in NITMB–related areas.
• Promote faculty mathematical biology research and coordinate initiatives and program activities.
• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team and collaborate with staff and faculty across the NITMB and external partners to ensure the success of research programs.
• Lead, manage, and supervise research professionals and support staff involved in planning, implementing, monitoring, and compliance aspects of research projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with government, foundations, professional organizations, and industry partners essential to research initiatives.
• Support fundraising and grant writing to sustain core center activities.
• Collaborate with the evaluation team to measure project impact and success.
• Manage administrative aspects, advertising, coordinating reviews, and tracking progress of internal and external research programs and the summer undergraduate research program.
• Work closely with the Faculty Directors and Director of Operations to launch and sustain research initiatives and programs.
• Serve as a key resource for program information and resolve problems or questions referred by program staff, university administrators, or other contingencies.
• Ensure compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal policies, procedures, and mandates.
• Organize and oversee events that build connections among NITMB researchers and projects: trainees, tutorials, seminar series, work‑in‑progress meetings, open‑problem studios, and other events.
• Develop and oversee public‑facing research outputs such as highlights, video profiles, blog posts, white papers, and open‑problem studios.
• Coordinate slide preparation for board meetings (External Advisory Board, Scientific Advisory Council, etc.) and site visits.
• Advising researchers on long‑range plans for research projects.
• Develop goals, operating procedures, practices, and guidelines for research activity based on departmental strategy.
• Perform related work as needed.

Minimum: A college or university degree in a related field.

Minimum: 7+ years of work experience in a related discipline.

• An advanced degree in a field related to mathematical biology.

• Experience working with interdisciplinary research teams, federal and non‑federal agencies, and community stakeholders.
• A strong track record of successful grantsmanship, manuscript preparation, or publications.

• Ability to maintain high‑level relationships with academic researchers, governments, and external partners.
• Experience with mathematics, biology, data science, and/or interdisciplinary research or team science.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Effective project management skills, including managing teams, attention to operational and research details, and ability to handle multiple projects efficiently.
• Work independently and…