Associate Director, Preclinical Partnerships

As an organization whose mission is to translate science into global public health impact , working on vaccines and therapeutics, IAVI has a vaccine policy which states that subject to applicable law, we require all U.S. and Puerto Rico based employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19, unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption or accommodation. We are committed to supporting our employees during this process as we work to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Position Description

Job Title: Associate Director, Preclinical Partnerships 

Location: IAVI Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn NY

Reports to: Executive Director, Design and Development Laboratory

Position Summary: 

IAVI is seeking a highly qualified Associate Director, Preclinical Partnerships who will lead the oversight and execution of Research and Development (R&D) studies associated with the overall program at the Vaccine Design and Development Lab, including interacting with program funders, management of sub awardees, contractors, partners, and providing overall technical direction for preclinical studies. The successful candidate will be an integral member of IAVI's R&D team and contributes to setting strategic scientific objectives, ensuring that collaborations and programs are aligned with IAVI's mission and organizational goals, as well as plays a fundamental role in the development of vaccine candidates moving into the clinic. In addition, this position will work closely with colleagues across the organization, external partners, and collaborators, and is responsible for executing on time-sensitive milestones and employing technical expertise to make recommendations for the overall direction of projects and programs.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Directing and monitoring the performance of study sub awardees, including collaborating in study design, performing analysis and evaluation of experimental results (including those in written reports), data management, and preparation of Request for Proposals (RFPs) and  Scope of Work (SOW) composition for developing initial agreements.
• Managing research in alignment with IAVI project teams, senior management, and external partner collaborations in association with funding agency milestones.
• Serve as the point of contact for preclinical study execution with external partners; including interacting with program managers, IAVI collaborators, and funding agency to ensure study activities are executed as per agreement and align research program.
• Contribute to composition of research manuscripts, internal and external presentations, grant submissions for R&D programs, and internal and external reports on funded programs.
• Support fundraising strategies and foster interactions with funding organizations; research grant proposal composition will be an element of this position.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.

Education and Work Experience:

• PhD in virology, immunology, or other biological sciences is Required; highly qualified Master's degree candidates will be considered.
• Minimum 10 years' experience is required, that includes primary responsibility for orchestrating and executing complex projects, managing timelines, managing the performance of sub awardees/subcontractors/partners, and decision-making ability.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in animal studies and the development and evaluation of vaccines or other therapeutics, as well as additional experience in virology, viral vector development, molecular biology, immunology, and/or emerging infectious diseases is required.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are required. 
• Experience interacting with funders or clients is required.
• Ability to work in a team environment is required.   
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills are required.
• Ability to adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of professional conduct as a representative of IAVI is required.  
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. 
• Experience with regulatory requirements, including FDA Animal Rule approvals and Investigational New Drug applications (INDs) and Biologics License Applications (BLAs) is highly desirable.
• Experience working with non-human primates is highly desirable. 
• Experience working with infectious agents is highly desirable.  

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV and tuberculosis. Our mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Through scientific and clinical research in Africa, India, Europe, and the U.S., IAVI is pioneering the development of biomedical innovations designed for broad global access. We develop vaccines and antibodies in and for the developing world and seek to accelerate their introduction in low-income countries. IAVI programs and partnerships are grounded in the regions of the world where the disease burden is the greatest, and our approach emphasizes sustainability. Our network of clinical research center partners in Africa and India helps strengthen in-country research capacity and supports the training and education of the next generation of scientists. The global impact of our science includes fundamental contributions to understanding the biology of HIV infection, which IAVI and others are applying toward advancing vaccine science and immunology. IAVI accelerates scientific discovery and development by fostering unique collaborations among academia, industry, local communities, governments, and funders to explore new and better ways to address public health threats that disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Our global reach, including a clinical research network in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed us to make fundamental contributions to understanding the epidemiology, transmission, virology, and immunology of HIV. This work played a key role in facilitating the design of promising HIV vaccine candidates, as well as the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are now being advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention. Our integrated capabilities in vaccine and antibody discovery, development, and clinical research take advantage of bio-pharmaceutical industry expertise to accelerate the development and testing of prevention methods for HIV and other diseases. Through the Product Development Center, we support external researchers with technical and scientific expertise to accelerate the development of their own products.

IAVI CORE VALUES:

• Dedication to the Mission: We are committed to the translation of scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. 
• Innovative Evolution: We are committed to solving complex problems in creative and innovative ways, learning from our mistakes and successes and never giving up 
• Integrity: We are committed to meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in everything we do and to taking responsibility for our actions to earn respect 
• Collaboration: We are committed to embracing diversity, the power of global teamwork and the belief that by working as one we can make a difference
  
  Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship. IAVI is an equal opportunity employer and applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 
  

IAVI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER actively committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global organization. IAVI believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a representative candidate pool. At IAVI, we celebrate the spectrum of colleagues' experiences and believe that dedication to our mission above all is essential to our success as a scientific global non-profit. IAVI upholds these principles through IAVI's Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.  

IAVI has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, caste, national origin, home language, ancestry, religion, marital or civil partnership status, age, physical or mental disability, HIV status and any other medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status, in addition to any other status protected under the law in any of our locations worldwide.