RESEARCH MANAGER, Biochemistry: Institute of Protein Design

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

About The Position

As a Senior Project Manager (Research Manager) at the Institute for Protein Design (IPD), you will oversee the execution and coordination of complex, multi-stakeholder research programs, portfolios, and projects supported by federal grants, philanthropic funding, and corporate-sponsored research agreements. Alongside scientific leadership (i.e., the PIs on the grants) and the IPD leadership team, you will ensure alignment across projects, monitor budgets at both project and program levels, and reallocate resources as needed to achieve overall program and portfolio success. Working closely with research personnel, including faculty investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and research staff, the Senior Project Manager ensures that programs and their constitutive projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in compliance with sponsor requirements. The Senior Project Manager (Research Manager) role requires advanced leadership and strategic planning skills to manage interdependent projects within high-priority programs and/or portfolios. This includes balancing competing timelines, budgets, and resources across multiple projects, while ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements and institutional policies. At the project level, the Senior 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. The Senior Project Manager must be able to drive momentum and build consensus, working at the interface of multi-disciplinary teams. The Senior Project Manager will build detailed knowledge of the programs and projects within their portfolio, while also maintaining an understanding of other IPD programs and projects so that they have a complete view of research programs within the Institute. The Senior Project Manager will work closely with the rest of the Project Management team and IPD leadership to prioritize project research needs when resources are constrained. Familiarity with computational protein design or a scientific curiosity and willingness to learn is essential, as is the ability to communicate effectively with scientific and operational stakeholders. The Project Management Team at the Institute for Protein Design (IPD) works 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 managing portfolios that span multiple projects and sponsors, Senior Project Managers ensure that the IPD delivers on its most critical commitments. Senior Project Managers serve as trusted advisors to leadership, providing insights on program performance, risk, and resource needs. Senior 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 researchers in effective project communication, helping to translate scientific progress into clear, timely updates aligned with sponsor expectations, thereby sustaining strong sponsor relationships.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Biology, Immunology, Bioengineering or related field and 5 years of experience in related field.
A collaborative leader with strong communication skills; able to navigate challenging group dynamics with consensus-building skills, and to work effectively across scientific, technical and business interfaces.
Proven ability to coordinate cross‑functional scientific teams and external partners, synthesize technical information, and communicate clearly to diverse stakeholders.
Proven ability to manage complex portfolios and budgets across multiple projects.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with an understanding that communication and transparency are critical to achieving success.
Ability to work on and track multiple tasks in parallel, maintaining progress and quality.
Proficient in the use of project management, collaboration management and efficiency software tools and best practices (e.g., SharePoint, Google Drive, Teams, Smartsheet).

Nice To Haves

Experience with federal and philanthropic grant management, including large renewals and pre-award and post-award management.
Familiarity with IP and technology transfer, especially in the context of large academic research institutions.
Experience with technology commercialization and pre-clinical research, including development of target product profiles (TPPs) and alignment of research milestones with translational objectives.
Able to set expectations (vertically and horizontally) and hold individuals and teams accountable.
Experience supervising or mentoring project managers.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.