Translational Research Program Manager - Medicine - 140004

The Ideker Laboratory is in the Division of Human Genetics and Precision Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine. We are a vibrant research team of 30 staff, postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students known for its dynamic and collaborative environment. The laboratory supports multiple large-scale collaborative programs spanning academic, government, and industry partners. We perform bioinformatics research coupled with wet-lab investigations, working in the areas of network biology, data-driven hierarchical modeling, and machine learning applied to biomedicine. One of the main research goals of the Ideker Lab is to create artificially intelligent, mechanistic models of cancer for translation of patient data to precision diagnosis and treatment. We are advancing this goal by developing "visible" deep learning approaches to model the flow of genetic information to translate genotype into phenotype and, importantly, to identify the molecular mechanisms by which these predictions are made.

The Ideker Lab at UC San Diego is recruiting a Translational Research Program Manager to support the Dynamic Digital Tumors for Precision Oncology (DDT) program, a recently launched national precision oncology initiative (digitaltumors.org) funded through the ARPA-H ADAPT program. The overall goal of the project is to advance AI-enabled precision oncology technologies capable of predicting patient-specific therapeutic response through integration of multimodal molecular, cellular, and clinical data. The DDT effort combines advanced computational modeling with translational experimental validation to generate adaptive, continuously improving digital tumor models that can forecast tumor progression and treatment response in near real time.

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator and in close collaboration with senior program colleagues, the Translational Research Program Manager will provide coordination and operational leadership for the DDT program, supporting execution of a complex research initiative. They will be responsible for ensuring alignment across program workstreams, maintaining progress toward scientific and operational milestones, and supporting efficient implementation of program goals. This position operates at the intersection of scientific operations and program management, with a primary focus on coordinating activities, ensuring integration of program priorities into day-to-day execution.

This role is intended for a candidate who can operate effectively at the interface of scientific operations, translational biology, and AI-enabled precision medicine, while helping connect scientific priorities, program execution, and experimental validation.

Independently oversees a moderately sized academic or research program and represents the program to outside organizations. Assists with the design and development of academic or research program components and administers the full range of the program components and operational requirements; administrative, finance, human resources, and facilities for the academic or research program. Works with faculty on formulating short-term planning and procedures of the programs. Develops and organizes conferences and other public forums. Works under direction of Principal Investigator to establish center agenda, funding, objectives.

• Doctorate in related area and / or equivalent experience training.

• Five years or more of relevant experience.

• Academic background and experience in selected area of research. Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques relevant to cancer research and therapeutic validation. Experience designing, executing, and interpreting translational biology experiments.

• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.

• Advanced oral and written communication skills. Strong writing and presentation skills, including preparation of technical reports, scientific summaries, manuscripts, and program materials.

• Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.

• Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results. Ability to work effectively across computational, experimental, and clinical research teams.

• Advanced ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers. Strong organizational, scientific communication, and cross-disciplinary coordination skills.

• Highly skilled fundraising experience.

• Doctorate with at least six years of relevant postdoctoral, industry, or equivalent research experience, or Master's degree with at least twelve years of relevant experience.

• Experience writing federal grant proposals and reports.

• Two years of experience coordinating or managing multidisciplinary translational research or drug discovery programs.

• Proficiency with perturbation-based experimental frameworks using CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, or prime editing.

• Proficiency in Python, R, bioinformatics workflows, and high-performance or cluster computing environments.

• Experience in functional genomics and/or generating, integrating, or interpreting multimodal molecular datasets in translational research settings.

• Experience working across academic, industry, and multi-institutional collaborative research environments.

• Experience managing contractors, CRO, or other research personnel in a multidisciplinary setting.

• Familiarity with AI/ML-driven biomedical research programs or other data-intensive translational science efforts.

• Experience in biologics and small molecule drug discovery in an industry or industry-collaborative setting.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.