Associate Project Manager, Neuroscience

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) connects the world’s leading public and private organizations to accelerate biomedical breakthroughs for patients, regardless of who they are, where they live, or what disease they have. Together with leading scientists and problem-solvers, and a successful track record of navigating complex problems, the FNIH accelerates new therapies, diagnostics, and potential cures; advances global health and equity in care; and celebrates and train the next generation of scientists. Established by Congress in 1990 to support the mission of the NIH, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501©(3) charitable organization. For more information about the FNIH, please visit fnih.org.

EOE STATEMENT

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

DESCRIPTION

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) is seeking an Associate Project Manager (APM) to support major, multi-stakeholder research partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including biopharmaceutical companies, nonprofit healthcare organizations, government agencies, and academic scientists. The APM will work closely with scientific and technical leads to support the day-to-day management and coordination of high-impact translational science research initiatives.

This is an early-career role for individuals with a strong scientific or research background who are interested in building a career in project and program management within public–private partnerships. Positions at FNIH offer unique exposure across disciplines, sectors, and stakeholders, as the organization operates at the intersection of government, academia, industry, and nonprofit research. Work will be conducted under the supervision of multiple senior Project Managers in a hybrid work environment, with time spent both virtually and at the FNIH offices located in North Bethesda, Maryland.

This role is a non-research, associate project management position that supports the planning, coordination, and execution of complex biomedical initiatives. It requires strong interpersonal and written communication skills, excellent organizational abilities, high attention to detail, sound judgment, and diplomacy, along with the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines in a highly collaborative environment. Familiarity with biomedical research settings is essential.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the APM will work under the supervision of senior Project Managers.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support large-scale, multi-stakeholder neuroscience research initiatives, including Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) programs (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Schizophrenia).
• Work closely with Project Managers and Senior Project Managers to support day-to-day project coordination, governance activities, and operational execution.
• Prepare, format, and quality-check meeting materials, including agendas, slide decks, meeting minutes, summaries, and follow-up documentation.
• Schedule meetings and coordinate meeting logistics using Microsoft Teams and Outlook calendars; track action items, decisions, and deliverables across multiple workstreams.
• Maintain a well-organized project documentation, trackers, and centralized repositories to support governance, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Assist with scientific and operational project activities, including tracking research milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
• Support coordination among industry, academic, nonprofit, and government partners in a matrixed environment without direct reporting authority.
• Assist with vendor coordination, budget tracking, invoicing, and contract-related documentation.
• Draft and edit high-quality written materials, including meeting notes, scientific progress reports, manuscripts, presentations, newsletters, website updates, and external communications.
• Develop clear, professional PowerPoint presentations that synthesize complex scientific and operational information for leadership and external stakeholders.
• Gradually assume increased ownership of defined workstreams, with the expectation of independently leading small meetings within approximately one year.
• This is a developmental role designed to prepare individuals for advancement into higher-level project management roles at FNIH.

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME

Full-Time

LOCATION

FNIH Offices (North Bethesda, Maryland)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Successful candidates for the Associate Project Manager, Translational Science role will be able to demonstrate:

Core Skills

• Strong organizational, time management, and written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative, matrixed environment
• High attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Proactive, team-oriented mindset with a clear interest in long-term career growth in scientific project management.

Education & Experiences

• Master’s or PhD degree in Neuroscience or a related scientific discipline preferred but not required; a strong scientific, biomedical, or public health research background is highly valued.
• Early-career PhD candidates (1-3 years post-degree or equivalent experience): Demonstrated interest in transitioning from hands-on research into project or program management, supported by experience coordinating complex research efforts, collaborations, or multi-lab initiatives (e.g., consortium work, cross-lab projects).
• Early-career MS candidates (1-3 years of experience): Demonstrated organizational, coordination, or project support experience within research, clinical, or scientific program environments.
• A minimum of 1 year of professional experience, ideally within healthcare, government, scientific research, biotechnology/pharmaceutical, or nonprofit sectors is required.
• 1+ year of experience working with scientific stakeholders, collaborators, or clients (preferred).
• Exposure to the culture, systems, and organizational structures of NIH, FDA and/or the pharmaceutical industry is a plus.
• Some experience supporting or working with contracts, agreements, or administrative documentation (preferred).
• Prior experience in a consulting, client-facing, or nonprofit research setting (preferred).