UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 7/21/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.
Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
Department of Pediatrics is one of the largest departments within the UCSD School of Medicine with comprehensive clinical programs, extensive basic science and clinical research, and diverse educational opportunities for students, residents and fellows. The internationally renowned faculty play a major role in medical and graduate student training, providing educational and programmatic offerings that span several disciplines and provide diversity to meet the interests of a broad spectrum of students and scholars. More than one hundred trainees at the graduate student and postdoctoral level, as well as more than 300 professional, research and administrative staff who along with the department administrators interact closely with the faculty. The diverse mix of ages, backgrounds, and talents creates a robust work environment with challenging career opportunities and a commitment to continued growth potential. We constantly seek to recruit highly motivated, technologically advanced and interested individuals to become a part of our dynamic cutting-edge research, clinical, and educational environment.
Under direction, the Scientific Program Management Officer will provide scientific, strategic, and operational leadership for a portfolio of translational research programs focused on immunology, nanovaccine technologies, biologics, and antimicrobial therapeutics. They will drive the advancement of early-stage discoveries toward Investigational New Drug (IND) applications by coordinating multidisciplinary teams, overseeing milestone-based development plans, and ensuring alignment with regulatory, manufacturing, and clinical development requirements.This role serves as a critical bridge between discovery research and clinical translation, working closely with principal investigators, industry partners, contract research organizations (CROs), regulatory consultants, and funding agencies to de-risk programs and accelerate progression toward first-in-human studies.
The Scientific Program Management Officer will develop and execute integrated IND-enabling strategies for a diverse portfolio of biologics, vaccines, nanotherapeutics, and antimicrobial therapeutics. Responsibilities include designing and overseeing preclinical and clinical development plans encompassing pharmacology, toxicology, CMC, biodistribution, immunogenicity, and regulatory strategy. The incumbent will be responsible for identifying key scientific, technical, regulatory, and operational risks and implementing mitigation strategies. They will guide project teams through critical development milestones, including go/no-go decision points, preclinical drug substance and drug product manufacturing, GLP toxicology studies, process development, and IND preparation.
The scientific program management officer will manage a portfolio of immunology, nanovaccine, and antimicrobial programs across varying stages of development. They will be responsible for establishing program goals, timelines, budgets, milestones, and go/no-go decision criteria congruent with translational research funding sources. They will monitor project performance, provide recommendations regarding resource allocation and portfolio prioritization, and prepare program updates, milestone reports, and strategic recommendations for leadership and funding stakeholders.
The Scientific Program Management Officer will coordinate activities supporting regulatory interactions, including pre-IND meetings and FDA correspondence; ensure development programs align with current regulatory guidance; and oversee preparation of key regulatory documents for pre-IND and IND filings. They will play a pivotal role in advancing innovative immunology, nanovaccine, and antimicrobial technologies from discovery through IND readiness, helping transform promising scientific advances into clinical candidates that address critical unmet medical needs. Performs other duties as assigned.
Thirteen (13) years of related experience, education/training or Terminal degree in immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, or a related field, (PhD, PharmD or MD and / or equivalent experience training, plus Five (5) or more years of successful research experience in immunology, vaccinology, nanotechnology, or translational research.
Academic background and experience in selected area of research. Academic background and experience in immunology, vaccinology, nanotechnology, or translational research.
Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.
Advanced oral and written communication skills. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills including tack, diplomacy, and flexibility in order to work and interact effectively with staff, researchers, and management in person, on the phone or via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.
Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.
Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.
Advanced ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers.
Highly skilled fundraising experience.
Advanced theoretical knowledge of immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, or a related field as evidenced by a strong record of relevant scientific publications.
Demonstrated expertise building collaborations between academia, industrial and / or governmental agencies.
Advanced skill in experimental design and adaptation of methods to achieve results. Demonstrated experience in integrating data from multiple sources to synthesize conclusions. Knowledge and ability to read and abstract scientific articles and apply to the design of experiments.
Demonstrated experience in working with collaborators in other universities or industry/biotech/pharma on joint projects, and working under milestones driven projects, including knowledge in writing reports.
Strong organizational skills, including experience in laboratory record keeping, budget analysis and managing logistics. Demonstrated knowledge of lab safety rules.
Proven experience in contributing and implementing innovative ideas and techniques on complex and multi-disciplinary research projects.
Must have a proven, published record of research accomplishment in in immunology, vaccinology, nanotechnology, or translational research.
Familiarity with translational funding mechanisms from NIH, BARDA, CARB-X, Gates Foundation, DTRA, and related organizations.
Knowledge of antimicrobial drug development, antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease therapeutics, and host-directed therapeutic strategies.
Direct experience preparing or contributing to IND submissions.
Strong understanding of preclinical development requirements, including pharmacology, toxicology, CMC, and regulatory strategies.
Experience with nanovaccine platforms, lipid nanoparticles, biomaterials, or advanced delivery techniques.
Experience supporting or leading IND-enabling programs for biologics, vaccines, antimicrobials, or nanomedicine.
Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
Must be willing to work flexible schedule in order to meet business needs.
Occasional travel required.
Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: Unclassified - No data available (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: Unclassified - No data available
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.
UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational — or "bench-to-bedside" — research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!
Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.
UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
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Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
