Research Program Director D (The Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome)

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

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The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Research Program Director D (The Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome)

Job Profile Title

Director D, Research

Job Description Summary

The Research Program Director of the Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome (ACE-WS) is responsible for leading multiple initiatives to advance research in Williams syndrome (WS) and related conditions across Penn and CHOP. Foster collaborations within the Penn/CHOP community as well as with external collaborators, particularly those involving WS-related research as well as research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Develop a pilot grant mechanism to support WS research programs, with an intent to draw experienced investigators in relevant fields into WS-specific research as well as support the efforts of new investigators working on WS. Assist in writing grant proposals and manuscripts related to WS and ASD related research. Plan WS research symposia and WS-focused sessions at other events. Foster communication and collaboration among researchers across the translational research spectrum for WS and ASD. Enhance and maintain robust partnerships with CReWS and WSA/Clinical Consortium, including fostering research programs that access data in CReWS or samples in ACE Biobank and partnering in recruitment of research subjects and development of multi-site clinical trials. Work collaboratively with the ACE-WS faculty director, medical director, behavioral health director, clinical program director, and advisory board to contribute to activities that help support and achieve the mission and goals of the ACE-WS and of CHOP and PENN.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Execute the program’s strategic research plan and agenda. This will require extensive collaboration within and outside of the institution. Work with experts to monitor progress and provide guidance and leadership. Provide scientific oversight to any other institutional collaborations that develop or continue as part of ACE-WS and ASD research.

  Disseminate information: Provide research updates to Center Director/Advisory Board. Host/support Special Topics series. Provide summaries of research/clinical care advances for both the lay audience and the broad multidisciplinary community of WS and ASD researchers, clinicians, and other providers. Coordinate opportunities for publication across various components of the program. Lead external communications about the interdisciplinary work and highlight the program’s unique multifaceted focus on WS and ASD in academic journals, news outlets, and the patient community

  Provide research financial oversight, including planning/budgets, analysis, and projections. Explore and implement revenue diversification strategies, such as business opportunities, grants, and philanthropic endeavors. Oversee and help develop applications for external grant funding – provide oversight for the timely completion of each opportunity, and maintain regular attempts to attract external funding to the program.

  Direct educational programs and initiatives related to research: Training/workshops/webinars for WS and ASD families to understand ongoing research, importance of all aspects of research mission, basic understanding of WS and ASD, including local/online as well as at WSA Convention and similar venues. Guest lectures or other teaching activities at Penn (affiliate/adjunct appointment in Genetics). Provide summaries of research/clinical care advances for both the lay audience and the broad multidisciplinary community of WS and ASD researchers, clinicians, and other providers.

  Training: Mentor and train future WS and ASD scientists, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to advance the field.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Position is contingent upon funding

Qualifications

• Master’s and 5-7 years or equivalent combination.  Ph.D. preferred.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$90,860.00 – $165,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay