Public Impact Director (6083U), Innovative Genomics Institute - #74103

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Departmental Overview

The Innovative Genomics Institute is a joint effort between the Bay Area's leading scientific research institutions, UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, with affiliates at UC Davis, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Gladstone Institutes, and other institutions. The IGI's diverse group of leading scientists have powerful interdisciplinary expertise. They conduct world-class research, driven by the real possibility of using genome engineering to treat human diseases, end hunger, and respond to climate change.

In addition to our scientific efforts, the IGI is committed to advancing public understanding of genome engineering, providing resources for the broader community, and guiding the ethical use of these technologies.

Position Summary

The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is a partnership between the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. The IGI envisions a world in which genome-engineering innovations benefit humanity and are accessible to all. The Institute's mission is to accelerate genome discovery and translation of resulting technologies in order to ethically and equitably improve human health and sustainable agriculture. Combining the fundamental research expertise and the biomedical talent at UCB and UCSF, the IGI focuses on unraveling the mechanisms underlying CRISPR-based genome editing and applying this technology to cure disease, ensure food security, and provide additional benefits for current and future generations.

The IGI consists of four central programs: Human Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Advancing Genome Engineering, and Public Impact. The Public Impact program does not involve laboratory research but instead focuses on accomplishing the goal of IGI founder, Jennifer Doudna, to ensure that genome engineering makes the world a better place. To complement the laboratory work, the Public Impact Program places special emphasis on connecting the science of genome engineering to the world. The role of the Public Impact program is to engage impacted stakeholders on the applications of the powerful and exciting genome editing technology, incorporating its appropriate uses as well as its opportunities and imitations.

The IGI is looking for a highly talented and motivated leader to run an innovative and cohesive Public Impact program.

This person will enact an impactful, strategic vision to achieve the program's goals. This unique role requires independence; willingness to take risks; strong leadership and management skills; performs social impact research that defines implementation barriers and potential solutions to scaling gene editing products in health, agriculture and climate change; interaction with industry, government, and non-profit organizations; and the ability to break down barriers between academic disciplines and between scientists and non-experts. The Public Impact Director's role involves performing social science research to integrate improved access, affordability, and scaling into the translation of IGI's genomics-oriented research, establishing the IGI as a model for other academic, corporate, and government institutions. Additionally, this position will coordinate a holistic approach to developing genome editing applications that actively incorporate educational needs of the public, policy and regulatory considerations, stakeholder and public input, and questions of ethics and access. This position will involve interfacing with local and national policy makers, providing widely-available educational materials, facilitating interactions between research scientists and the public, and engaging diverse stakeholders and expertise, from community groups to campus entities. This high-level position involves meeting with donors, writing research manuscripts and annual reports, developing strategies and budgets, supervising staff, initiating collaborations, and attracting essential support. The position involves managing a significant, independent institute program. The candidate will formulate program strategies and goals, as well as plan, direct and control program budget and other related resources.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 11/13/2024.

Responsibilities

Leads Public Impact Research:

• Implements research projects across a public impact portfolio (e.g., overcoming barriers to implementation or scaling of gene editing products).
• Engages impacted stakeholders on the applications of genome editing technology, incorporating its appropriate uses as well as its opportunities and limitations.
• Performs social science research to integrate improved access, affordability, and scaling into the translation of IGI's genomics- oriented research, establishing the IGI as a model for other academic, corporate, and government institutions.
• Coordinates a holistic approach to developing genome editing applications that actively incorporate educational needs of the public, policy and regulatory considerations, stakeholder and public input, and questions of ethics and access.
• Writes research manuscripts and annual reports for donors and sponsors.

Strategic Leadership:

• Independently develops and implements effective strategic plans to accomplish Institute mission.
• Participates in Institute-wide discussions of planning and implementation of critical research across health, agriculture and climate both domestically and internationally.
• Consults with IGI Executive Director and Governance Board for high-level approval.

Program Management:

• Leads Public Impact team and recruits new staff as needed.
• Manages staff and coordinates the program's individual effort areas to ensure alignment and unified direction of the Program mission.
• Directs long-term planning (writing proposals, publishing research manuscripts, strategy) and develops policies and procedures.

Strategic Partnerships:

• Identifies and cultivates prospective new industrial, academic and foundation partnerships and funding sources.
• External Representation.
• Serves as the face of the IGI in multiple interactions with donors, researchers, and groups outside the Institute and University.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of the public engagement of science landscape, including key players in academia, the nonprofit sector, government, and industry.
• Knowledge of, and comfort with, academic culture.
• Knowledge of the commercial landscape related to genome engineering.
• Knowledge of agriculture, climate change and human health initiatives.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Experience leading large-scale strategic planning efforts.
• Ability to inspire non-direct reports and peer directors to participate in programs external to their immediate work responsibilities.
• Ability to handle at least two large initiatives simultaneously (e.g., projects in human health and sustainable agriculture).
• Inspirational leader.
• Sophisticated communicator and listener.
• Expert oral and written communication skills.
• Experience presenting to and working with scientific and non-scientific audiences, as well as business executives, policy experts, program directors, funding agencies, media, etc.
• Strong skills in understanding stakeholder needs and engaging them in programs.
• Strong analytical and negotiation, political acumen.
• Successful fundraiser.
• Proven track record of raising millions of dollars from private foundations, individuals, and government sources.
• Experience working in collaboration with development staff.
• Social impact and systems change agent.
• Experience identifying levers for change and creating initiatives that improve systems.
• Experience establishing academic and cross-sector working groups to solve complex social problems.
• Experience working with high-level advisory boards to guide program impact.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in related science, social science, or public policy and/or equivalent experience training.
• Training or experience adequate to understand the basic concepts underlying genome engineering, particularly molecular biology or genetics.
• Minimum of ten years of experience minimum in a relevant professional area.

Salary & Benefits

This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly and eligible for UC Benefits.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $150,000.00 - 220,000.00.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Diversity Statement

Please include, as part of your application a brief (1-2 paragraph) statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in your professional experience.

Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our UC Berkeley Principles of Community, which states that "every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring, and humane environment in which these values can thrive."

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 25% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.