Simons Foundation · 16 hours ago
Scientific Officer (Ecology and Evolution)
New York, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$139K/yr - $150K/yr
3+ years expSimons Foundation is focused on fundamental research in ecology and evolution, and they are seeking a temporary Scientific Officer to join their Life Sciences team. The role involves refining strategies for grant-making programs, conducting research and analysis, and supporting the management of grants and workshops.
AssociationBiotechnologyEducationNon Profit
Responsibilities
Collaborate with leadership to develop the strategic framework and objectives for grant-making programs in ecology, evolution and plant biology
Conduct research and analysis to refine the team’s strategy, which may involve desktop research, pulling external datasets, primary data collection, analyzing and visualizing data, and drafting memos and presentations
Assist with strategic thinking to increase pathways to science in ecology and evolution, advance scientific collaboration and data sharing, and to identify opportunities to partner with other organizations
Actively participate in the planning and convening of workshops, meetings and retreats by preparing materials such as agendas, performing background research to identify participants and prepare meeting materials, assisting in running events, and performing other administrative tasks as necessary
Support EVP in engaging with its Science Advisory Board (SAB)
Manage a selection of active grants, including tracking milestones and reviewing reports. Work with grantees to identify and resolve challenges
Participate in the evaluation of proposals, as necessary
Partner with grants management staff to effectively steward proposals and grants through the grantmaking cycle and provide support, as needed
Collaborate with the grant management team to implement no-cost extensions, amendments, and other grants management activities as needed
Support or lead in translating grant information to the communications team, board reports, and other purposes
Pull and analyze grant and grantee data to inform grants management, portfolio assessment, external presentations, and SAB communications
Cultivate prospective grant proposals selected by the Life Sciences team, working with prospective grantees from concept note, proposal and budget draft, external review, revision to SAB recommendation
Support administrative and other tasks for multiple RFPs, such as aiding in research and memo drafting
Partner with the EVP to design, develop, and manage standard and ad-hoc reports that demonstrate program outcomes
Travel to attend on-site meetings of grantees, annual retreats and institutional visits of Simons grantees, and external scientific conferences and meetings to keep current on scientific updates/advances relevant to portfolio
Perform other duties or tasks as assigned or required
Qualification
Required
A Ph.D. in ecology, evolution or a related field
Minimum of three years of postdoctoral experience integrating ecological and evolutionary dynamics
Deep familiarity with contemporary and historical literature in the fields of ecology and evolution, and experience generating conceptual syntheses that bridge ecology and evolution through meta-analysis, data mining and/or theory
Comfort evaluating projects and scientific output spanning genes to organisms to ecosystems, using laboratory, field-based and theoretical approaches
Breadth of experience across approaches (e.g., international field experience, laboratory, experimental evolution) and systems (e.g., plants, animals, microbes) at different biological scales (e.g., genes to communities) with multidisciplinary tools
Expertise in genomic methods, statistical methods and experimental design
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating a high level of independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy
Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently and as part of a team
Flexible, creative, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving
Must be detail-oriented
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts concisely
Strong analytical and organizational skills to lead or assist in project management and analyses
MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point)
Ability to generate graphics for presentations using any preferred packages
Preferred
Smart Simple grants management platform knowledge helpful but not required
Benefits
An outstanding benefits package
Company
Simons Foundation
Simons Foundation is a private foundation funding research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Simons Foundation has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (38)
2024 (30)
2023 (34)
2022 (27)
2021 (16)
2020 (18)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Richard McFarland
Vice President, Grants Management
Matteo Cantiello
Senior Research Scientist
Recent News
2026-01-23
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