About this role
Job title: Program Associate
About the Role Schmidt Sciences Climate Center seeks to understand how our planet works and the ways it's changing, connecting climate research to action by developing science-driven tools and empowering interdisciplinary networks needed to drive climate solutions. The Associate role focuses on supporting the carbon cycle portfolio and program management for the Virtual Institute of the Carbon Cycle (VICC), as well as acting as a liaison for the Carbon Research Frontier Network (C-RFN). You will help review proposals, evaluate scientific work within the grants lifecycle, and contribute to building a strong community of awardees and partners, in close collaboration with the Senior Program Scientist.
What You'll Do
- Provide comprehensive operational support to designated programs and the Climate Center, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
- Maintain accurate award data, respond to inquiries, and monitor reporting requirements, milestones, and payment schedules.
- Support due diligence and evaluation of research proposals; assist in the award selection and documentation process.
- Design and organize convenings and workshops; synthesize takeaways and collect feedback to inform program development and science outcomes.
- Manage and streamline internal workflows; develop standardized templates, trackers, and data systems across the carbon cycle portfolio.
- Coordinate contracts for reviewers, advisors, program participants, and vendors in partnership with internal teams; liaise with external stakeholders.
- Support coordination across VICC, RFN, VESRI, and OBVI initiatives to advance integrated carbon cycle and climate research.
What We're Looking For
- Experience in program operations or research administration in nonprofit or scientific settings.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, track milestones, and maintain data integrity for awards and grants.
- Experience reviewing and diligencing research proposals and supporting grant/gift lifecycle management.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to design and facilitate convenings/workshops and community-building activities.
- Proficiency with data tools and templates or similar systems; ability to build scalable processes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to collaborate with international teams and across disciplines.
- Interest in climate science, carbon cycle, or related fields is a plus.