Lead Scientist, The California Breast Cancer Research Program

The Opportunity:

The California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) is the nation’s largest state-funded breast cancer research program and the fourth largest breast cancer research funder in the world. The CBCRP was founded in 1993 when breast cancer activists, scientists, clinicians, state legislators, and University of California officials collaborated to win passage of the California Breast Cancer Act. The CBCRP’s mission is to eliminate breast cancer through innovation in research, communication, and collaboration among the California scientific and lay communities.

Nestled within the University of California’s Office of the President, the CBCRP is an exciting program driving the front lines of breast cancer research. The CBCRP is not just about “science for the sake of science”; it is an organization that at its heart combines passion and advocacy with rigorous scientific practices to achieve the best possible outcomes for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Ninety-five percent of the CBCRP’s revenue goes directly to funding research and education efforts, in the form of grants to California scientists and community researchers to find better ways to prevent, treat and cure breast cancer. Since 1994, the CBCRP has awarded more than $174 million to 89 institutions throughout California.

The CBCRP recently launched the $18 million Special Research Initiative to identify and support research strategies that both increase knowledge about and create solutions to the environmental causes of breast cancer and the unequal burden of the disease. The CBCRP has convened a steering committee of nationally recognized advocates and scientists to guide these initiatives and has instituted a rigorous strategic development process. These planning efforts will lead to research that will not only change the state of breast cancer research, but will accelerate the elimination of the disease.

Passionate dedication to conquering breast cancer goes hand in hand with innovative, cutting-edge approaches at the CBCRP. The CBCRP is led by Dr. Marion Kavanaugh-Lynch, long a leader in women’s health and health-related issues for marginalized populations. To learn more about this unique organization, please visit http://www.cabreastcancer.org.

The Position:

The CBCRP seeks a Lead Scientist to provide leadership for the Special Research Initiative by coordinating and directing statewide collaborative research focusing on the role of the environment and lifestyle in breast cancer and disparities in breast cancer. The Lead Scientist will drive funding strategies and manage a significant portion of the CBCRP’s substantial grantmaking portfolio.

Specifically, the Lead Scientist will:
• Staff a core advisory group for the Special Research Initiative by recruiting national scientific experts and advocates in target specialties, gathering the field’s best and brightest together to advise on specific research areas
• Lead this advisory group and specialty subgroups through a process of identifying and planning research projects that accelerate progress
• Spearhead the development of the report and strategic road map for the CBCRP’s grantmaking in order to support and accelerate innovative research
• Develop and implement strategies and mechanisms to accomplish individual projects, including initiative-specific contracts and grants, scientific peer review, and monitoring of projects
• Identify and pursue external sources of funding and partnerships to complete projects, building relationships and networks in the field and broadening awareness of the CBCRP’s mission
• Communicate to the press and the public at large about Program Initiative activities and achievements, keeping the public informed and ensuring that the CBCRP’s work is visible and appreciated on both local and national levels
• Foster and maintain constructive working relationships with stake-holders in the Special Research Initiative
REQUIREMENTS
Profile of the Successful Candidate:

This is an exciting time for CBCRP. As the organization’s work continues to develop, the new Lead Scientist will be an important part of the successful execution of the organization’s mission. This is a tremendous opportunity for a scientist who wants to extend their reach beyond their own research, to effect change and progress in the field of breast cancer research on a larger scale, and perhaps above all, make connections among researchers and research initiatives where the synergies of their work can accelerate the elimination of breast cancer.

The CBCRP seeks a professional who has:
• An advanced degree (PhD or MD) (or equivalent experience) in one of the following fields and working knowledge in the others: occupational or environment health, epidemiology, health policy, or toxicology
• Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and experience serving as a reviewer on peer-review panels or for journals in areas relevant to the Special Research Initiative
• Demonstrated knowledge of current scientific, societal, and political issues related to breast cancer and breast cancer research
• Previous management-level experience in some, if not all, of the following areas: research; research program administration, including establishing the program’s direction, grant and contract solicitation, managing research teams; successful interactions with the advocacy community, policy advisory groups and a broad spectrum of individuals, interests, and concerns, such a those represented by a highly visible and complex publicly funded program, such as CBCRP; and managing program budgets
• The ability to work effectively with senior administrators, research scientists, Advisory Council members, state and federal agencies, professional associations, and community organizations
• The ability to provide effective leadership in program planning and management of special projects
• Exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated ability to handle multiple competing demands
• The ability to write clearly, logically, and persuasively on complex scientific topics for a diverse audience – a mixture of scientists and laypersons
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• The ability to use PC office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint, as well as databases
• Experience supervising on-site and off-site staff, consultants and contractors

In addition, the successful candidate will likely have:
• Experience organizing, recruiting, training, evaluating, and retaining a diverse professional and clerical staff
• Experience leading interdisciplinary research teams
• Demonstrated success designing and carrying out research using a variety of research designs and methods, both laboratory and population-based
• Demonstrated experience in health policy analysis
• Demonstrated skills in management of complex projects requiring specialty expertise, short- and long-range planning and coordination with stakeholders

Start Timeframe:
We seek to have someone in place as soon as possible.

Compensation:
This position offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits.

To Apply:
Please submit your credentials and a letter of interest in complete confidence electronically (or the names of others) to The 360 Group at:

[Click here for email]

No calls, please. This position description, along with application instructions, may also be viewed on The 360 Group's website at http://www.360searchgroup.com/CBCRP_LS_PD.pdf

Review of credentials will begin immediately. This position is open until filled. However, for priority consideration, The 360 Group should receive applications by September 30, 2006.