Research Coordinator

Position: Research Coordinator 3
** Job Description
**** Position

Purpose:

** About the Institute for Protein Design   The IPD drives innovation in protein science to address critical challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability. Based in the Department of Biochemistry at the UW School of Medicine, the Institute was founded in 2012 by HHMI Investigator and UW Medicine biochemistry professor David Baker who was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for computational protein design.

Today, the IPD comprises over 260 members and contains four faculty labs (Baker, Bhardwaj, DiMaio, King), specialized core research teams, an experienced operations team, and a translational research program that has produced 11 spinout companies to date. Located within one of the largest and most innovative public research universities, the IPD is the world’s leading protein design center and a destination for scientists eager to join the protein design revolution.

IPD researchers are pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) tools for biomolecular design and applying them to create new medicines, vaccines, nanomaterials, enzymes, and more. The Institute is supported by diversified sources of funding including grants from private foundations, federal and industry sponsored research grants, philanthropic gifts, and the State of Washington. Learn more .edu.

As a Project Manager at the Institute for Protein Design (IPD) you will oversee the execution and coordination of complex, multi-stakeholder research projects supported by federal grants, philanthropic funding, and corporate-sponsored research agreements. Working closely with research personnel, including faculty investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and research staff, the Project Manager ensures that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in compliance with sponsor requirements.

The Project Management team at the IPD enables investigators to focus on scientific progress while ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective stewardship of sponsored research. This role focuses primarily on the execution, coordination, and reporting of active programs (post‑award), while also supporting select pre‑award activities such as supporting the preparation and review of statements of work (SOWs), budgets, and timelines for projects prior to award finalization.

The Project Manager will work closely with the IPD Grants Team and Finance Team to ensure projects are delivered within budget and in compliance with sponsor requirements. The Project Management team contributes to building new project management tools and methodologies to support research program initiatives across the IPD. This position will report to the IPD’s Director of Translational Research.
** Position Complexities:
** The Project Manager is responsible for reviewing project plans with scientists, tracking milestones and budgets, managing timelines and risks, and facilitating communication among internal and external stakeholders, including industry sponsors and granting agencies. As such, familiarity with computational protein design is a plus; however, we also value a scientific curiosity and willingness to learn the primary aspects of the IPD’s work and associated application verticals.

Equally necessary are strong organizational skills and a comfort communicating with scientists to keep work on track and in line with sponsor requirements.
** Position Dimensions and Impact to the University:
** Project Managers at the Institute for Protein Design (IPD) work in close partnership with IPD scientists to advance cutting-edge research across multiple scientific verticals by proactively managing the operational and administrative aspects of complex projects. By taking ownership of planning and coordination activities, Project Managers enable investigators to focus on scientific discovery while ensuring that project commitments, milestones, and sponsor requirements are met.

IPD Project Managers also serve as key liaisons between IPD scientists and external stakeholders, including federal agencies, philanthropic funders, and corporate sponsors. They support and mentor investigators in effective project…