Program Officer
What this job does:
Serves as the scientific steward of research grants at a funding agency or foundation, such as managing portfolios of funded projects, guiding applicants through the funding process, participating in peer review, and helping shape the strategic direction of research funding in their scientific domain. Decides what science gets funded and monitors its progress, serving as the link between funders and the research community.
This job is similar to these lab/research tasks:
Serving on grant review panels, evaluating research quality and feasibility, synthesizing broad scientific literature, identifying research gaps, thinking strategically about what research questions matter most
Typical starting salary range
$85k to $155k
Salary estimate represented as 25th to 75th percentile. Gathered from recent job postings, Glassdoor.com, and Salary.com
Daily task breakdown
- Grant portfolio management: overseeing funded projects, reviewing progress reports (30%)
- Scientific review and evaluation: organizing peer review, evaluating proposals (20%)
- Applicant and grantee communication: advising, scientific guidance (20%)
- Strategic planning and initiative development: identifying gaps, developing RFAs (20%)
- Other: conferences, internal meetings, policy communication (10%)
Skills you'll use in this job:
Deep scientific domain expertise; grant portfolio management; peer review process knowledge; scientific writing and editing; strategic research planning; stakeholder communication and relationship-building; analytical and evaluative judgment; knowledge of funding mechanisms (NIH, NSF, foundation grants); presentation and public speaking; policy interpretation; cross-functional collaboration; budget oversight
Talk about these PhD skills in your resume and interview:
Talk about serving on grant review panels, mentoring junior researchers through the grant process, or your deep familiarity with NIH and NSF funding mechanisms. Highlight your experience evaluating research quality and feasibility - the same critical lens you applied every time you reviewed a paper or assessed a new research direction. Emphasize your ability to synthesize broad scientific literature, identify research gaps, and think strategically about what questions matter most. A strong publication record and peer review experience are key differentiators.
Alternative job titles to search:
Health Scientist Administrator (NIH); Senior Program Officer; Scientific Program Director; Grants Program Officer; Science Officer; Portfolio Manager (Research); Research Program Director; Scientific Review Officer; Program Director (Foundations)
*Note:
-Job titles are inconsistent between companies. Try various keywords.
-PhDs tend to undershoot seniority level. Target higher than you think.
