Program Associate, Science Special Projects

Gordon and Betty Moore established the foundation to create positive outcomes for future generations. Guided by this vision and the Statement of Founders' Intent, we foster path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Each day we strive to make a significant and positive impact on the world. Together, we work tirelessly to honor the vision of our founders and serve as stewards of the resources they entrusted to us. We establish specific strategies based on input from experts, identify partners who share our goals, and measure results along the way—all while making adjustments as needed. We build relationships and fund work in areas where we hope to make a significant impact. We’re okay with failing, as long as we learn from our mistakes. And we know that working together expands our ability to drive meaningful change.

We believe there can be no truly lasting change for the good if that change is not just and widely shared. Comprehending and incorporating values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in pursuing goals and refining strategies is vital to achieving our desired outcomes. These values weave through what we do and drive how we operate.

The Moore Foundation's Science Program funds research that acquires new knowledge and asks new questions, enables new science through technology, breaks down barriers, and enhances society’s understanding of the inherent value of science.

Science Special Projects aims to identify and support researchers in various scientific fields that can drive significant advances beyond the Science Programs major core investments. New ideas come from many directions, including innovative technologies and instrumentation, new partnerships or collaborations, or fresh perspectives from other disciplines. In addition to large-scale, long-term initiatives, we back bold ideas that can have a lasting effect across many scientific disciplines.

The Position

The Program Associate will provide programmatic and administrative support to the Science Program, focusing primarily on Special Projects. This is a relatively entry-level position, with opportunities to learn and grow in the role. Our ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in biology, physics, chemistry, or a related field and experience in administrative work and/or project management. Candidates are not expected to have extensive experience in all areas listed in the job posting.

This position is based in Palo Alto, CA however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, foundation offices are temporarily closed until at least September 6, 2022, and work will initially occur remotely. Once our offices reopen, the foundation will shift to hybrid work arrangements, and all employees will work a minimum of eight days per month in their designated office.

Key Responsibilities

• Help in sourcing new grantees by conducting due diligence and funding landscape analysis and coordinating proposal reviews
• Support the review of proposal budgets, manage active grant records, monitor grant reports and payments, and communicate with grantees and other stakeholders, ensuring high-quality and effective grant management
• Employ project and grant management tools to manage information on the grant pipeline, including grant requirements, preparing and sending reporting templates for grantees, and tracking payments
• Help organize and schedule conferences, workshops, and meetings with the grantee community, including arranging travel (meals, lodging, etc.) for meeting participants as needed, managing event expenses and participant reimbursements, etc.
• Coordinate grantee meetings and calendars, maintain meeting agendas, create and distribute meeting notes and synthesis documents
• Collect and organize results of grantees, including impact data, publications, and other research products
• Communicate effectively to internal and external audiences regarding our funding activities and apply knowledge about grant portfolios and program priorities when addressing inquiries from the community
• Contribute to, and participate in, broader Science Program and foundation-wide activities

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s in biology, physics, chemistry, or a related field
• Curiosity about nature, a broad interest in science and scientific research
• Project management and administrative skills demonstrated through work, extracurricular, or volunteer activities
• Experience conducting laboratory or field research and/or grants administration is a plus

Competencies

In addition to the qualifications above, our ideal candidate will bring:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills for phone inquiries, presentations, correspondence, and research summaries
• A strong team orientation, positive attitude, and integrity
• Strong character attributes that include reliability, discipline, and self-starting
• Excellent project management and analytical skills
• Willingness to support and promote the foundation and colleagues through a commitment to enhancing the foundation’s considerations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Ability to work independently, self-manage priorities and goals for projects, consistently meet deadlines and multi-task while working well under pressure
• Ability to think critically and exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate courses of action
• Willingness to ask for help and identify the right resources to accomplish tasks when necessary
• Initiative and be proactive while maintaining appropriate consultation with the Program Officer.
• Proficiency with office productivity software (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Attributes

Our ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following attributes that describe how we at the foundation strive to do our work with each other and our partners:

• Committed to Excellence
• Passionate
• Collegial
• Open and Honest
• Humble and Self-Aware     

Compensation and Benefits

The Moore Foundation provides a generous total compensation package that includes a competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits to support your life, health, and well-being.

The salary range for this position starts at $73,430 per year. Offers are based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation.

Health benefits include employer-paid options for medical insurance and employer-paid dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents; an employee assistance program; employer-paid disability, business travel, and life insurance benefits; paid parental leave; and pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and child care expenses. 

Other benefits include 6 weeks of paid time off per year of employment and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) retirement savings plan with a foundation contribution of up to 10% and a Roth 401(k) option; matching gifts program for qualifying charitable contributions; hybrid work arrangement; commuter benefits program; tuition assistance; and professional development opportunities.

Application Process

The Moore Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of applicants. We depend on individuals who possess varied skills, perspectives and expertise. We seek to recognize many forms of excellence in candidates, attract individuals with varied identities and backgrounds, and enable all employees to feel they belong and can contribute to the mission of the Moore Foundation.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or on any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law. We also do not discriminate based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics.

The foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact hr@moore[dot]org. A request for an accommodation will be responded to within three business days. However, non-disability related requests, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the ordinance.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 

COVID-19

The Moore Foundation requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except as required by law. Any employment offer will be contingent upon satisfactory proof that you are fully vaccinated from COVID-19, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, and/or as otherwise required by applicable law.