Associate Director, Microbiome Therapies

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION: Sarafan ChEM-H is a new interdisciplinary institute focused on connecting Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health.
The institute was founded as a joint venture of the Schools of Medicine, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences.
The proximity of world-class biologists, chemists, engineers, and clinicians at Stanford presents a unique opportunity to study human biology at a molecular level, to translate this knowledge into groundbreaking products and services that promote healthy living, and to educate a new cadre of “physician-scientist-engineers” who will lead a rapidly evolving industry.
The institute’s Knowledge Centers serve as shared laboratories where trainees from diverse disciplines in science, engineering and medicine pursue projects under the mentorship of the center’s Directors, thereby gaining hands-on skills in high-throughput screening, medicinal chemistry, metabolomics, protein chemistry, and structural biology.
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POSITION SUMMARY: The Microbiome Therapies Initiative (MITI) at Sarafan ChEM-H is seeking a highly motivated Associate Director, Microbiome Therapies for a role in our ambitious effort to build a synthetic human microbiome from scratch.
Our goal is to take advantage of the tremendous promise of the microbiome to treat human disease.
Candidates should have good hands and strong organizational skills.
Ideal candidates are self-starters, comfortable with autonomy, and embrace opportunities to tackle new problems and challenges as part of a dynamic team in a start-up-like environment within the University.
The Associate Director will be responsible for building and characterizing a synthetic microbiome for the treatment of GI disorders.
Primary duties will be to optimize and implement the synthetic microbiome construction pipeline, and create and maintain anaerobic bacterial isolate stocks, with opportunities to design and implement new technologies for process optimization.
Additional duties include writing and implementing SOPs for new and established processes, training and supervising MITI staff scientists and technicians, and participating in cross team collaborations.
You will also have the opportunity to lead the manufacturing of novel microbiome-based therapies in our production suite in the Stanford Research Park.
Although you will be the primary person responsible for this therapeutic, teamwork and communication is essential for success in this role.
CORE DUTIES: Provide strategic planning for their own work group; participate with senior managers in higher level strategic planning.
Communicate operational objectives and assignments and delegate to staff.
Manage the daily operations of an assigned area(s) which include recruiting, hiring, training, developing, evaluating and setting priorities of staff, coordinating business, technical, and educational activities for direct reports.
Oversee interdepartmental activities, projects and efforts by applying advanced technical and professional knowledge.
Serve as the initial managerial escalation point for problems from clients and other staff.
Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources.
Oversee preparation of periodic financial and technical reports and operating plans.
Interface with clients to determine project requirements.
Establish service level agreements with clients.
Monitor scientific, engineering, and/or technology trends and evaluate emerging technologies to recommend for adoption and implementation.
Communicate and implement policies, procedures, best practices, recommendations and guidelines compliance with established University administrative policies and procedures.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
Advanced degree may be required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated knowledge and skills of advanced anaerobic technique or microbiological principles and practices.
In-depth experience with aseptic and microbiological techniques.
Experience with software for inventory management.
Ability to independently oversee and manage instrumentation or system installation.
Ability to collaborate with senior engineering and scientific staff to design and develop special purpose instrumentation.
Experience overseeing the plan, design, and implementation of major scientific or engineering initiatives and ensuring project objectives are met.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate research/process capabilities and make recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to establish, communicate, and enforce compliance with health and safety policies and procedures.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: PhD in Microbiology or related field, and 10+ years practical experience working with anaerobic bacteria is strongly desired.
5+ years experience developing live biotherapeutic products in industry or academia.
At least 1 year of experience with MasterControl or similar quality systems management software.
Proficiency using project and lab management software including eLabNext, Smartsheet, and Asana.
Previous experience supervising GMP production operations in an academic or industry setting.
Experience overseeing a laboratory unit and supervising the work of technicians and other staff associated with the group.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Frequently grasp lightly/fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
Occasionally stand/walk, sit, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp forcefully.
Rarely kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other), reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, sort/file paperwork or parts, operate foot and/or hand controls, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.
WORKING CONDITIONS: May be exposed to high voltage electricity, radiation or electromagnetic fields, lasers, noise > 80dB TWA, Allergens/Biohazards/Chemicals /Asbestos, confined spaces, working at heights >10 feet, temperature extremes, heavy metals, unusual work hours or routine overtime and/or inclement weather.
May require travel.
WORK STANDARDS: Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, https://adminguide.
stanford.
edu.
The expected pay range for this position is $143,000 to $175,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position.
The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.
The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.
stanford.
edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees.
Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
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Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more! The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.
Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.
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