The Organic Center’s mission is to convene and conduct credible, evidence-based science on the environmental and health benefits of organic food and farming and communicate the findings to broad audiences, with a focus on consumer education. Our efforts enable consumers to make informed choices about the food they buy, backed by peer-reviewed science.

The Organic Center aims to engage and develop partnerships with research institutions, federal agencies, organic farmers, and food systems advocates working to improve agricultural systems. Our work serves as a resource for the public, industry, policymakers, scientists, and farmers on the science supporting sustainable organic food and farming to strengthen and expand organic practices and production that reduces the use of toxic, synthetic chemicals, offering clear benefits to human health and the environment.

The Organic Center is seeking a Science Program Manager to manage scientific programs and outreach campaigns run by The Organic Center.

This position is multi-faceted, fast-paced, and requires:

• Leadership skills and ability to work collaboratively and efficiently in teams
• Mentorship, management, and administrative coordination of junior staff and Science Program Fellowship participants
• Strong organizational skills
• Systems-thinking
• Efficient communication with internal team members and external stakeholders
• Coordination of multiple projects and multiple collaborators within each project
• Ability to manage and meet multiple and simultaneous project deadlines
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across academic disciplines and stakeholder groups
• Strong proficiency in scientific language and method
• Relationship building with various stakeholders across the food supply chain
• Strong communication skills from writing to public speaking for various audiences
• Grant writing/administration
• At least basic knowledge of organic farming and food production practices and National Organic Program regulations, with a preference for proficiency in these topics

The Science Program Manager will join a small but mighty team that produces a large quantity and variety of outreach products and manages a wide range of scientific research projects and collaborations. This person must be reliable, flexible, adaptive, a team player, and committed to the Center’s core mission. 

The Science Program Manager must be capable of building and/or maintaining interdisciplinary relationships with academic researchers, farmers, and industry leaders to develop projects, grant proposals, and outreach materials that fill knowledge gaps in organic agriculture research.

The Science Program Manager must be proficient in the scientific language with the ability to quickly digest and scientific information related to a wide range of agricultural science topics, and translate that information to various public audiences to accomplish the Center’s educational outreach efforts.

The Science Program manager will be responsible for leading the Center’s topical reports/literature reviews on organic issues, as well as editing scientific journal article summaries for the consumer audience.

The position requires public speaking on organic science topics in various settings such as webinars, educational sessions at trade shows, and scientific conferences. Moderate domestic and potential international travel to events will be required.

The Organic Center aims to host an annual conference event titled “Organic Confluences,” which brings together organic researchers, farmers, industry leaders and policymakers to tackle an issue of importance as identified by the organic community. The Science Program Manager will provide administrative support for fundraising through competitive grants, program development, speaker selection and event execution for this event.

The Science Program Manager will provide administrative support in grant applications submitted by The Organic Center and its academic partners, as well as the Center’s grant program (in partnership with Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research; FFAR), a program in which The Organic Center offers funding to organic extension organizations and organic scientific research through a competitive RFA process.

The Organic Center works very closely in partnership with The Organic Trade Association staff. The Science Program Manager will interface and collaborate with Organic Trade Association teams, such as communications, events, development, and member engagement, and coordinate the communication of the Center’s scientific programs in collaboration with the OTA’s Communications Director.

This is a full-time, exempt position, eligible for a competitive benefits package. The Organic Center’s primary office is located in Washington D.C., but this position can be fully remote. Starting salary depends on experience with a range of $65,000-$75,000. This job offers the opportunity for advancement. The Science Program Manager reports to the Director of Science Programs.

Qualifications:

• PhD (required) or Postdoctoral experience (preferred) in a field related to environmental, biological, agricultural or ecological sciences.
• Educational and/or professional experience and commitment to organic and sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Experience in project coordination and budget management
• Experience communicating scientific literature to a variety of audiences 
• Experience in management and mentoring of junior staff
• Proven track record of successful grant acquisition
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred, but not required

TO APPLY

Submit your complete packet via email to the Director of Science Programs, Dr. Amber Sciligo at asciligo@organic-center.org no later than 5:00 PM EST Thursday, June 13, 2024.  

All qualified applicants should submit:

• A cover letter stating your interest and qualifications
• A resume outlining your skills and experience
• Scientific writing samples (or weblinks) addressing a scientific audience and a general public audience (if available)
• Two letters of recommendation attesting to your experience in project and people management

Please reach out to Dr. Sciligo at asciligo@organic-center.org if you have questions about the position or application requirements.