Scientist - Data Management and Communications

Company Description

Gryphon Scientific is a small, growing consulting business with a unique focus on physical and life sciences, public health, and program management and evaluation. We capitalize on our staff's rich, experience in the laboratory, in policy shops and in the field to tackle projects with complex technical challenges. Our projects drive policy changes in security, preparedness, and science policy at the highest levels of US government. Abroad, we advise governments in the developing world on how to cope with daunting public health challenges. Our aim is to improve the health and safety of populations world-wide.

Gryphon strongly encourages collaboration across disciplines, throughout the company, and between junior and senior staff. Personal and professional development are actively supported through opportunities to work across a wide range of projects. The energy of our small business environment, as well as our commitment to technical excellence, attracts staff with interesting and impressive backgrounds as well as recent graduates seeking a challenging and rewarding career. Gryphon boasts a friendly work environment, a comprehensive employee benefit package, and places an emphasis on work-life balance, which has yielded excellent employee retention. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. The company is headquartered in Takoma Park, MD but provides our staff remote working opportunities from any U.S. state or territory.

Description

Gryphon is seeking a senior scientist, manager, and mentor with a focus in life sciences to independently lead projects in the Data Management and Communications (DMC) practice. The incumbent will lead projects that combine science communications and outreach, data management and analytics, and research and preparedness for health threats, including COVID and influenza. A core aspect of Gryphon work involves the collection, curation, analysis, and dissemination of data and information to foster collaboration and scientific discovery, guide client decision making, and support both national and international research and preparedness and response efforts.

Gryphon DMC Scientists facilitate technical working groups, develop data-driven science and risk communication strategies, and lead teams to collect, curate, analyze, synthesize, and visualize data collected from subject matter experts, literature, and other sources. DMC projects involve collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and incorporate a variety of approaches, from stakeholder coordination, science writing, social media engagement, data analytics, and systems engineering to advance scientific research, biosecurity, and biodefense initiatives. In leading these projects, a Scientist should be able to independently devise project methodology, oversee multidisciplinary teams, communicate effectively with clients and project partners, identify, and mitigate project risks to deliver high-quality results on time and on budget. Scientists have the opportunity to engage experts in STEM, apply cutting-edge technologies and methods in data management and communications, and lead stimulating projects using creativity, critical thinking, and technical excellence in a wide range of exciting fields. Gryphon Scientists show a mastery of all core project execution skills and an ability to mentor and develop those skills in their colleagues.

Scientists also act as personnel managers for a small group of staff who may work directly on their projects or projects from other practice areas, as Gryphon is a matrixed environment. Providing continuous feedback, coaching, and training are essential to this position, as is ensuring DEI considerations are promoted in all activities. Additionally, scientists are frequently engaged in recruitment activities, including participating on interview teams.

The selected Scientist will be expected to participate in business development. Under the mentorship of more senior staff, the Scientist will develop an understanding of how Gryphon captures business and participate in the development of proposals. Within the first year of employment, the Scientist is expected to independently develop sales concepts and is expected to lead business development activities and work toward the development of a sales "pipeline" to drive repeated business. This position will primarily support projects in Gryphon's Data Management and Communications practice, but Scientists may be asked to support business development (and projects) in other practices. Note: Gryphon does not have a lab, nor perform any laboratory work.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as Principal Investigator on projects of various sizes and involving external partners, executing them with limited oversight, in areas including but not limited to science communications and outreach, data management and analytics, and research and preparedness for health threats, including COVID and influenza
• Devise the methodology for projects
• Build and oversee whole project teams involving Gryphon Scientific staff and external partners, ensuring that activities are coordinated and aligned to achieve overall project goals
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external project partners and clients
• Manage work performed by Gryphon Scientific Senior Analysts and junior staff members -- shaping research direction, developing work products, and providing technical mentorship
• Manage the budget and schedule, with input from project and administrative staff
• Proactively identify and manage technical and financial project risks and overcome setbacks with minimal oversight
• Communicate findings in a persuasive, actionable and tailored way to diverse audiences in diverse media
• Facilitate management, analyses, and visualization of diverse datasets generated by independent investigators, including biosurveillance, basic, preclinical, and clinical data
• Translate complex scientific concepts for clients and the broader scientific and policy community through written, visual, and oral media
• Act as scientific liaison and technical domain area expert amongst developers, researchers, collaborators, program officers, government officials, and the public
• Contribute technical expertise and proposal management skills to proposal development and other business development opportunities, including leading business development activities after developing familiarity with Gryphon's business development processes; work toward the achievement of annual sales goals
• Supervise 2 to 5 employees, including coaching, training, and performance management; assist in recruiting new staff as needed - sometimes acting in the hiring manager capacity

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in a life science discipline (Microbiology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field) and at least 5 years of directly related experience OR MS/MPH (preferably with emphasis on scientific communications) and at least 10 years of directly related experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to government client requirements.

Required Skills

• Independent project management (including budget management) and technical leadership experience
• Proven success in devising, monitoring, and adjusting project budgets, accounting for project plan adjustments arising from internal or external factors
• Experience or training in communications, including science communications, group facilitation or moderation, or risk communications
• Clear and concise scientific writing and editing skills and ability communicate information to technical and lay audiences
• Ability to present technical, scientific, and public health information to audiences of varying levels of knowledge and expertise
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and ability to follow processes and standard operating procedures
• Interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
• Supervisory skills
• Demonstrated business development success within an academic or private sector environment, working toward repeatable success

Additional Skills and Experience (not required)

• Demonstrated success in proposal development within an academic or private sector environment
• Knowledge of government contracting requirements and demonstrated experience developing and leading government-sponsored research
• Experience conducting multi-platform communications campaigns, including social media and web. Proficiency with Adobe software, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
• Proficiency in Excel or Tableau, web design or UI/UX, Python, R, and/or SQL
• Federal government consulting experience

Benefits

• Fully paid health insurance for staff, and discounted rates for family members
• Dental, disability, and life insurance
• Flexible working hours
• Options for in-person (in the District of Columbia (DC) metropolitan area), hybrid or remote work (within the U.S.)
• Paid time off, in addition to 10 paid holidays
• Continuing education benefits (after 6 months of employment at the beginning of the year)
• Generous year-end profit sharing and performance bonuses
• Wellness benefits (funds gym memberships, exercise classes, etc.)
• Up to 12 weeks leave, per the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Parental leave
• Flex spending account (FSA)
• 401K with 3% match (after 6 months of employment)
• Bereavement leave

Salary Range: $90,000-$120,000

The actual salary will be determined based on factors such as degree attainment, major specialization, and years of relevant experience.