Dana Foundation Fellow in Neuroscience & Society

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Deadline: 

Friday, 15 July 2022

 

Dana Foundation Fellow in Neuroscience & Society
The Dana Foundation seeks two Dana Fellows in Neuroscience & Society for a two-year fellowship experience. The Dana Fellows will have the exciting opportunity to assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of Dana Foundation grant programs, meetings, and public outreach activities. They will be integral members of the Dana Foundation’s Neuroscience & Society program team, will be supervised by Foundation program staff, and will routinely work with colleagues throughout the Foundation, including Foundation leadership.

The Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing understanding about the brain. It was established in 1950 in New York City by Charles A. Dana, a legislator, industrialist, and philanthropist who became its first chairman. In partnership with his wife, Eleanor Naylor Dana, they fostered development of funding programs primarily focused on cancer research, higher education, and the arts. The Foundation’s grants helped support the Sidney Farber Cancer Center, which was renamed the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in honor of the partnership. In 1992, under the leadership of Foundation Board Chair and President David Mahoney, Dana turned its focus to research and outreach on the human brain. Since its founding, the Dana Foundation has appropriated nearly $500 million for philanthropic purposes.

The Dana Foundation is at an inflection point, as it refines its longstanding commitment to research and public education on the brain, to focus now on neuroscience and society. Programmatic areas of emphasis include intersections between neuroscience and areas such as ethics, law, humanities, and the arts, along with public engagement with neuroscience and community partnerships. The Foundation pursues its mission through grants, programs, and collaborative partnerships. These include funding grant initiatives under the Neuroscience & Society focus and coordinating Brain Awareness Week, an annual global education initiative with more than 7,000 partners in 120 countries.

Responsibilities will include:
• Surveys relevant literature and identifies trends and themes at the intersection of Neuroscience & Society
• Identifies and maintains a roster of experts in fields relevant to Neuroscience & Society
• Identifies new opportunities for Neuroscience & Society grants and programs
• Participates in all stages of meetings and grant programs
• Generates meeting materials, including participant biographies, agenda drafts, and
other supporting documentation such as logistics information
• Manages online or in-person (when possible) meetings, working closely with
programmatic, communications, and operations staff of the Foundation to host and
manage convenings
• Rapporteurs and drafts follow-on documentation of meeting proceedings
• Synthesizes meeting discussions into priority areas and programs for consideration in Dana Foundation strategy
• Works collaboratively across all Dana grant portfolios
• Works collaboratively with Dana Foundation staff engaged in communications
• Works collaboratively as a thought partner with Dana Foundation program staff
• Participates in planning process for Foundation’s grantmaking programs, including
research on different models of grantmaking and evaluation
• Represents the Foundation at conferences, meetings, and other professional convenings
• Assists in designing and implementing requests for grant proposals
• 10% of time will be spent on professional development activities, including coursework
and training (approved and paid for by the Foundation)

Qualifications:
• Ph.D. in neuroscience, biology, psychology, bioengineering, philosophy, sociology, science & technology studies, public health, health policy, or related field; or J.D./M.D./M.S./M.S.W./M.P.P./M.P.H. with strong experience working in science or societal aspects of science
• Postdoctoral or post-terminal degree work experience is desirable but not essential
• Ability to synthesize and analyze information and report on findings in an efficient manner
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate purpose of
meetings and other activities to potential participants
• Excellent written communication skills, particularly in drafting and editing a variety
of materials with scientific content (letters, white papers, summary documents), as well as
preparing presentations with scientific and programmatic content
• Attention to detail with strong documentation, workflow management, and organizational
skills
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly as it concerns
underrepresented perspectives in neuroscience
• Creative in approach to problem-solving with the ability to take advantage of emerging
opportunities
• Proactive, with a strong work ethic and the ability to meet deadlines and understand
priorities
• Ability to maintain composure under pressure with multiple tasks
• Ability to work as a member of teams consisting of both internal and external partners

Additional details:
• This will be a full-time, two-year fellowship
• The anticipated/desired start-date is mid-September 2022
• The position can be full-time remote
• The Dana Foundation will support travel to the Dana offices in NYC once per quarter
• Occasional travel to scientific meetings/conferences will be supported by the Foundation
 
Application process:
• Please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications, a brief bio (200-word limit), and your curriculum vitae to the Dana Foundation’s Director of Human Resources, Pat Mangini: pmangini@dana.org
• The application deadline is Friday, July 15th, at 5pm Eastern Daylight Time.

Benefits offered:
• Group Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance: premiums paid by the Foundation
• Direct medical and gym reimbursement plans
• Short- and long-term disability, and Paid Family Leave: Short-term disability and Paid
Family Leave funded by the Foundation
• Section 401(a) retirement plan: Non-contributory contribution of 15% of compensation
up to the IRS statutory limit (eligible after six-months’ employment)
• Section 403(b) savings plan: Voluntary plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Education Assistance Program
• Matching Gift Program
• Vacation and Holiday Leave: All employees are entitled to 20 vacation days, other than those hired during a calendar year who are entitled to one day vacation per each full month of work. Employees are also entitled to three personal days and 11 paid holidays.

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