Scientific Project Director

The Scientific Project Director will provide strategic, operational, and scientific project management support for one or more projects within the Breakthrough Discoveries Program. This role oversees day-to-day operations, coordinates complex cross disciplinary activities, and ensures projects advance toward scientific milestones and institutional objectives. Serving as the primary liaison among project teams, Breakthrough Discoveries Program leadership, and institutional partners, the Scientific Project Director drives resource planning, project execution, risk mitigation, and standardized reporting. The position reports to Strategic Research Programs and operates within a matrixed environment in close partnership with Team Leaders. The Scientific Project Director plays a critical role in enabling high impact, high risk scientific initiatives by ensuring scientific rigor, operational continuity, and effective communication across all stakeholders.

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The ideal candidate is a strategic scientific project leader with strong expertise across basic, translational, and clinical research who excels at cross-functional coordination, financial and resource stewardship, risk mitigation, and driving milestone-based progress for complex, multi-investigator discovery initiatives.

MD Anderson offers employees:
* Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week.
* Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage.
* Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals.
* Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs.
* Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service.
* Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans.
* Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program.
* Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups.
* Opportunities for professional growth through Career Development Center and Mentoring programs.

JOB FUNCTIONS:

* Plans, develops, manages, and implements strategic scientific and financial planning of long and short-term goals, deliverables and milestones for Breakthrough Discoveries Projects.
* Conducts ongoing project analysis and evaluates resources, outcomes, and barriers to scientific progress. Identifies risks; recommends and implements mitigation strategies.
* Partners with Team Leaders to refine project direction, adapt to emerging data, and ensure alignment with institutional priorities and with Breakthrough Discoveries Program goals.
* Serves as central coordination point across project teams, co-investigators, other faculty/collaborators (including Platforms, Centers, and Institutes), staff, Philanthropy, Strategic Industry Ventures, and external partners.
* Drives structured project interactions, including agenda setting, discussion facilitation, follow-up on action items, and managing timelines from project deliverables and other ad hoc reporting.
* Ensures clear, timely communication between scientific, operational, and leadership stakeholders.
* Manages and maintains centralized project documentation, source materials, and project templates; updates updates documentation to reflect evolving strategic plans and operational needs.
* Implements standardized processes, reporting structures, and operational best practices that support project transparency and performance tracking.
* Works closely with Strategic Research Program leadership to advance Breakthrough Discoveries Program goals and ensure alignment across organizational unit
* Oversees project budgets, resource allocation, and monthly financial reconciliation in partnership with SRP finance, departmental administrative and financial personnel, and Program Directors
* Participates in proactive financial planning, scenario modeling, and continuous monitoring to ensure responsible stewardship of program resources.
* Identifies internal and external funding opportunities, directs grant application development and submission.
* Applies knowledge of basic, translational, and clinical research processes to guide scientific planning, troubleshoot operational challenges, and facilitate milestone-driven progress.
* Directs the recruitment, onboarding, training, and evaluation of project assigned staff, fostering an environment of accountability, scientific curiosity, and cross team collaboration.
* Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:
Required: Master's Degree.
Preferred: PhD.

EXPERIENCE:
Required: Six years in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic research or clinical research setting to include three years research program or project management experience. With a PhD, four years in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic research or clinical research setting to include one year of research program or project management experience.

Preferred: Experience guiding large cross functional research initiatives, budget stewardship, and stakeholder leadership.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, paid time off , retirement , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 180040
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 95,000
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 118,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 142,000
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Soft
• Work Location: Remote
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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