Program Director: The Dunn Lab (Indianapolis)

Program Director: The Dunn Lab (Indianapolis)

Purdue University

Req Id: 36156

Job Title: Program Director, The Dunn Lab at Purdue University (position based in Indianapolis)

City: Indianapolis

Job Description:

Job Summary

Are you looking to be part of something big? Radical innovations begin with small, impactful steps. Take your next step with the Dunn Lab, the distinguished team of Dr. Erin C. Dunn (www.thedunnlab.com), as we prepare for our next giant leap: discovering the causes of mental illness and creating roadmaps for prevention.

The Opportunity: Program Director

As the Program Director, you will be responsible for overseeing all administrative and operational tasks related to running the Dunn Lab's wet and dry lab enterprise. In this critically important role, you will work closely with Dr. Dunn to facilitate day-to-day operations and provide scientific process guidance to the research team. You will play a leading role in building strategies for efficient and effective conduct of scientific research, identifying best practices for collaboration and team science, and coaching team members to develop life skills as scientists and employees.

This position is based at the Indianapolis location. Remote options, with frequent travel to campus, may be available.

Responsibilities and Duties:

* Strategic Oversight: Develop long-term plans and goals for the Lab in alignment with the organization's overall objectives. Oversee multiple projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope and budget.

* Budget Management: Collaborate with the Research Account Specialist to manage the lab's budget, track expenses, and ensure financial sustainability for current and future grants.

* Team Leadership: Hire, train, and provide administrative and operations supervision for Lab staff (comprising 10+ full-time staff plus trainees). Co-mentor and coach team members in areas such as organization, time management, delegation, and change management.

* Compliance & Reporting: Prepare regular reports on the Lab's activities, progress, and outcomes for internal stakeholders, external partners, and funding agencies. Manage Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Transfer Agreements (DTAs), and IRB submissions.

* Quality Assurance: Implement and maintain quality assurance procedures to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of laboratory testing and research activities. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.

* Partnerships & Outreach: Build and maintain relationships with external partners, promote the Lab's work through presentations and publications, and advocate for its importance within the organization and the broader community.

Ideal candidates will have a track-record of working in scientific research or adjacent to it. Candidates will be results-focused, team-oriented, and creative leaders who can excel in a fast-paced and multidisciplinary scientific environment. Candidates must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and exhibit strong problem-solving skills, as it relates to the administration and operations of scientific activities. In addition, the successful candidate should be a clear and effective communicator, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills to enable collaboration with domestic and international project teams, peers, and management in identifying and achieving research goals.

What We're Looking For:

Education and Experience:

Required:

* BA/BS with 6-7 years of experience in research and extensive experience in all administrative and operational tasks related to running a wet and dry lab. Education beyond BA/BS will be considered in lieu of some experience (e.g., 3-5 years of experience required with a master's or PhD).

Expertise in the following areas:

* Hiring and staffing the lab.

* Co-mentoring staff (with a matched scientific partner).

* IRB submissions, MTAs, and DTAs.

* Budget management and process improvement.

* Problem-solving and change management.

* High attention to detail and the ability to see the big picture while executing steps to achieve the vision.

* Emotional intelligence and team collaboration.

Preferred:

* MA/MPH/MS or PhD

Additional Information:

* In addition to an annual salary, this position provides office space, computer equipment, and $2500 in yearly support for scientific conferences or professional development. A sign-on bonus will also be provided to assist with relocation costs.

* Purdue will sponsor an employment related visa for this position.

* A background check will be required for employment in this position.

* FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime).

* Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period.

* Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Application Materials

* Must include a cover letter and resume/CV. Your cover letter should include:

* Relevant experience and skills that make you uniquely qualified for this role.

* What interests you about being part of the Dunn Lab team and why you are excited about the opportunity.

* How your experiences, skills, and interests align with the culture of the College of Liberal Arts (#ThinkBroadlyLeadBoldly).

Why the Dunn Lab?

* Be at the Cutting Edge of Discovery: Work at the forefront of research, using interdisciplinary approaches to explore the social and biological factors that contribute to mental health disorders. Our focus on understanding depression risk among women, children, and adolescents, paves the way for groundbreaking prevention strategies.

* Impactful Research: We've made significant contributions to understanding how social and biological factors impact mental health. We've led pioneering genetic and gene-environment interaction studies, including some of the first genome-wide association studies of depression risk in non-European ancestry populations. We're also leading cutting-edge new studies examining baby teeth as novel biomarkers for mental health risk.

* Collaborate and Innovate with a Renowned Leader: Dr. Erin Dunn brings over a decade of experience from her previous roles at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital. Now a Professor at Purdue and Director of a new university-wide interdisciplinary Center focused on sociogenomics, Dr. Dunn is a leading voice in integrating genomics with social sciences. With national and international research collaborations, the Dunn Lab offers a bold environment for innovative thinking and collaboration as you work alongside experts in genetics, sociology, psychology, and more.

* Career Advancement: Whether you're planning for a career in academia or another professional path, being part of the Dunn Lab will provide invaluable experience, mentorship, and a competitive edge. Our 80+ trainees have gone on to successful careers in clinical psychology, public health, medicine, and beyond.

* Diverse Perspectives: The Dunn Lab knows good science is built on a foundation of diverse and inclusive teams. We foster an environment where different thinking and approaches drive meaningful advances in mental health research. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

* If you are passionate about advancing the field of mental health research and eager to make a difference, take the leap with the Dunn Lab at Purdue University. Explore our work and how you can be a part of it at www.thedunnlab.com.

Why Purdue University?

Purdue University is a powerhouse of innovation and discovery, offering a world-class research environment that fosters groundbreaking advancements across diverse disciplines. As Indiana's land-grant university and a Carnegie Foundation tier-one research institution, Purdue combines a rich history of education with a commitment to tackling global challenges.

The Dunn Lab, led by Dr. Erin C. Dunn, bridges Purdue University's West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses, creating a dynamic research environment that leverages the best of both worlds. This dual-campus structure allows The Dunn Lab to tap into Purdue's world-class academic community while embedding its research within the vibrant, interdisciplinary hub of Indiana's capital city. West Lafayette connects The Dunn Lab to Purdue's renowned strengths in social sciences, STEM disciplines, and collaborative research networks. This academic foundation fosters rich interdisciplinary partnerships and drives innovative research. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis campus provides access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities, proximity to leading biomedical and public health institutions, and the opportunity to engage directly with a dynamic urban ecosystem that amplifies real-world impact. Being situated in Indianapolis enables The Dunn Lab to build strong partnerships with local healthcare systems, industry leaders, and community organizations, all committed to our scientific discoveries that translate into meaningful societal change.

At the heart of the Dunn Lab's operations, Innovation Hall in Indianapolis is a 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance collaboration. It houses advanced wet and dry lab spaces, makerspaces, a fabrication lab, and a Class 100 clean room, providing the tools and infrastructure necessary for groundbreaking research.

Together, The Dunn Lab's presence across West Lafayette and Indianapolis represents a forward-thinking model for research-integrating Purdue's academic excellence with the dynamic opportunities of Indiana's largest city. This strategic approach fosters transformative discoveries, while creating unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and impact.

Purdue is also dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable education. Ranked among the top 10 public universities in the US, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees for over 10 years, enabling more students to graduate debt-free. The College of Liberal Arts, home to the Dunn Lab, is an emerging leader in innovative education, offering nationally recognized programs like the Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts program, Degree+, and the Degree in 3 initiative. These programs enhance Purdue's renowned STEM education by pushing all students to become bold, visionary leaders capable of addressing the complexities of today's world.

Benefits of a Purdue Career:

* https://www.purdue.edu/faculty_staff_handbook/benefits/overview.php

* Tuition remission (https://www.purdue.edu/treasurer/finance/bursar-office/ and https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/employeebenefits/feeRemission/index.php)

Purdue University is an EOE/Affirmative Action employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6039359

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