Research and Program Manager, Disease Ecology in a Changing World

This position is fixed-term for two years with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and programmatic need. It is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; sponsorship for an employment visa is not available.

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is structured to drive global impact through:

• Academic departments and programs that educate students and generate new knowledge across critical research areas.
• Institutes that bridge scholarship within Stanford and beyond, addressing urgent challenges through diverse perspectives.
• The Sustainability Accelerator, which develops policy and technology solutions via a worldwide network of partners.

The school is committed to fostering a diverse community to create solutions benefiting all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

The Disease Ecology in a Changing World Program

The Disease Ecology in a Changing World (DECO) program is housed within the Center for Human and Planetary Health at the Woods Institute for the Environment and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, in collaboration with the Stanford School of Medicine and the Center for Innovation in Global Health. DECO conducts solutions-oriented research to support healthy ecosystems and people by:

• Studying ecological, environmental, and socioeconomic drivers of environmentally transmitted diseases.
• Investigating disease occurrence, spread, the role of climate and land-use change, and ecological solutions to curb transmission while improving human and environmental health.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams across disciplines or schools, and external research partners, to advance complex DECO research projects.
• Design and lead research approaches for the program, including background research, experimental design, execution, and drafting manuscripts for publication.
• Deploy community- and partner-engaged approaches to manage stakeholder collaborations and produce co-created research outcomes.
• Develop new protocols; test and evaluate a variety of approaches.
• Conceptualize and draft new research proposals and budgets for funding applications to expand DECO’s scope and scale.
• Prepare periodic progress reports on all phases of the program.
• Contribute original ideas for major methodologies or innovative solutions to complex research problems.
• Perform ongoing literature reviews to remain current with new procedures and implement new techniques into research projects without direct consultation from principal investigators.
• Represent DECO in stakeholder meetings and provide scientific and coordination support to DECO Faculty Directors.
• Integrate and align with the Center for Human and Planetary Health leadership.
• Lead DECO program management and coordination activities, including organizing stakeholder meetings, scheduling and leading team meetings, managing documents, creating knowledge-management systems, preparing presentation slides, supervising student researchers, and contributing to DECO communications (e.g., maintaining the DECO webpage, drafting popular media pieces).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field and four years of relevant work experience; or Master’s degree in a related scientific field and two years of relevant experience; or PhD in a related science field such as ecology, epidemiology, environmental science, conservation, or other relevant fields.
• Comprehensive understanding of scientific principles and expert-level knowledge in a field of science related to the research project.
• General computer skills, experience with databases and scientific applications, and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment, with the ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately.
• Developing project management skills.

Preferred qualifications include:

• PhD in disease ecology or a relevant field.
• Experience engaging with global non-academic research partners and stakeholders, managing complex multi-partner programs, and administering research.
• Experience with project management tools and practices for large, complex research endeavors.
• Experience working with University administrators to support research goals.
• Experience in data analysis, mapping, remote sensing, and synthesis.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Spanish language skills.

Benefits

The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $100,082 to $118,812 per annum. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.