Project Manager | Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language

Organization Overview

The Vertebrate Genome Laboratory (VGL) at The Rockefeller University leads international efforts in vertebrate genome sequencing, assembly, annotation, and evolutionary analysis. As a core laboratory of the Vertebrate Genomes Project and a major hub of the Earth BioGenome Project, VGL is at the forefront of generating high-quality, telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies across vertebrate diversity.The laboratory provides an end-to-end genomics platform spanning sample processing, sequencing, genome assembly, and downstream data analytics. It specializes in high-molecular weight DNA extraction and long-read genomic technologies, offering integrated library preparation and sequencing services for high–molecular weight genomic DNA, long amplicons, and full-length transcriptome sequencing (Iso-Seq). These capabilities are tightly coupled with in-house computational expertise for genome assembly, curation, annotation, and comparative genomics, and are supported by state-of-the-art platforms including PacBio and ONT. Overview

The Rockefeller University seeks an experienced Project Manager to lead day-to-day execution of a National Science Foundation Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 (Mid-scale RI-1) Design Phase award, in partnership with Arizona State University and the University of Kansas. This award will fund the design of the Scalable Community Infrastructure for Biodiversity Genomics (SCIBG), a national platform to produce high-quality reference genomes at scale, strengthening the U.S. bioeconomy, biosecurity, and global competitiveness in genomics. The Project Manager will oversee the project's day-to-day design activities across all three institutions, including task management, timelines, budgets, risk mitigation, and cross-site communications. This role also serves as the infrastructure development lead, coordinating the design of laboratory protocols, computational workflows, data management systems, and governance models that will underpin the future SCIBG platform. The Project Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for the NSF Program Officer, ensuring the award's progress is tracked and communicated in accordance with NSF requirements.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

Manages day-to-day execution of project activities to help ensure the project stays within approved cost, schedule and technical scope

Oversees the budget, schedule, change management and risk management

Supports the implementation and documentation of project management systems, cost controls, and schedule milestones to assess project performance

Performs risk evaluation and management in accordance with the project's Risk Management Plan

Coordinates meetings of the Change Control Board and prepares Change Requests for review and final approval by the PIs

Oversees development of a Project Execution Plan (PEP) for the subsequent implementation project, a required deliverable under this Design Phase award, in coordination with the PIs

Performs other responsibilities as needed

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in a science, engineering or management field

At least three (3) years of progressively responsible project management experience, including creating budgets and managing financial accounts

Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with proficiency in database and spreadsheet software

Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal relationship-building and a high degree of organization

Ability to work well with others under tight deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude

Ability to work independently and effectively manage workload

Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Project management certification preferred

Prior experience on an NSF Mid-scale RI, MREFC, Major Facility, or comparable large federal infrastructure project, including familiarity with the NSF Research Infrastructure Guide, Design Execution Plans, and formal design review processes (CDR / PDR / FDR)

Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-organization projects with formal scope, schedule, and budget controls — including experience developing a WBS, an integrated schedule, and a risk register from scratch

Direct experience with federally sponsored research awards, including budget management, subaward administration, and/or agency reporting requirements

Proficiency with project management tooling (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent) and collaboration platforms

The Rockefeller University is an equal opportunity employer – veterans/individuals with disabilities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal law, including but not limited to disability and protected veteran status.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on various factors, including but not limited to organizational budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The hiring range provided represents The Rockefeller University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Compensation Range: Min

USD $90,000.00/Yr. Compensation Range: Max

USD $105,000.00/Yr.

Responsibilities include:

Manages day-to-day execution of project activities to help ensure the project stays within approved cost, schedule and technical scope

Oversees the budget, schedule, change management and risk management

Supports the implementation and documentation of project management systems, cost controls, and schedule milestones to assess project performance

Performs risk evaluation and management in accordance with the project's Risk Management Plan

Coordinates meetings of the Change Control Board and prepares Change Requests for review and final approval by the PIs

Oversees development of a Project Execution Plan (PEP) for the subsequent implementation project, a required deliverable under this Design Phase award, in coordination with the PIs

Performs other responsibilities as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in a science, engineering or management field

At least three (3) years of progressively responsible project management experience, including creating budgets and managing financial accounts

Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with proficiency in database and spreadsheet software

Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal relationship-building and a high degree of organization

Ability to work well with others under tight deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude

Ability to work independently and effectively manage workload

Outstanding written and oral communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Project management certification preferred

Prior experience on an NSF Mid-scale RI, MREFC, Major Facility, or comparable large federal infrastructure project, including familiarity with the NSF Research Infrastructure Guide, Design Execution Plans, and formal design review processes (CDR / PDR / FDR)

Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-organization projects with formal scope, schedule, and budget controls — including experience developing a WBS, an integrated schedule, and a risk register from scratch

Direct experience with federally sponsored research awards, including budget management, subaward administration, and/or agency reporting requirements

Proficiency with project management tooling (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent) and collaboration platforms

The Rockefeller University is an equal opportunity employer – veterans/individuals with disabilities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal law, including but not limited to disability and protected veteran status.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on various factors, including but not limited to organizational budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The hiring range provided represents The Rockefeller University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.