Program Officer

Unit Overview

The staff of the Office of Research Grants (ORG) acts for the American Chemical Society in the administration of all research grants programs of the Society. The mission of the Office of Research Grants is to administer these programs so that they conform to the guidance provided in the founding documents, and at the same time have significant impact consistent with the vision for the programs provided by the ACS Board of Directors. The office administers The ACS Petroleum Research Fund (PRF), the Herman Frasch Foundation Grants in Agricultural Chemistry, and the Irving S. Sigal Postdoctoral Fellowships. Primary responsibility is for the ACS PRF, a program of research grants to nonprofit institutions, primarily colleges and universities.

Position Summary

The ACS PRF Program Officer oversees the design, development, execution, and program assessment/evaluation of a significant research grants program, which is expected to have an important impact on the scientific/engineering research and education communities both nationally and globally. The Program Officer is responsible for supporting two Science Panels of the ACS Board Standing Committee on the Petroleum Research Fund, with responsibility for initial evaluation of proposal compliance with the terms of the PRF Trust document. The incumbent is ultimately responsible with the Director of the ACS Office of Research Grants to report to the ACS Board of Directors on the successful operation of the grant programs. The incumbent supervises one Grants Administrator and works with the staff of the Office of Research Grants to successfully implement our grant programs and ensures the accuracy of the technical work of these individuals. In addition, the Program Officer contributes to ORG outreach and mentoring activities. 
 

Position Accountabilities:
 

1. Develops and implements the overall program direction for a highly complex nationally focused research/training grants program including program goals and objectives.

2. Develops and implements the proposal review standards and sets the framework for the actual review process including metrics to be used in assessing success.
3. Assesses the quality of the proposals based on his/her technical knowledge with or without external assistance.
4. Works with potential grantees to ensure the highest quality proposals are prepared and submitted.
5. Evaluates the application budget and justification against the research work proposed.

6. Assesses the work undertaken against established metrics to assess progress against program goals and objectives.

7. Assesses and communicates outcomes to Director of the Office of Research Grants and ACS Board of Directors.

Education/Experience:

The position requires an advanced college degree (PhD/DSc/DEng) in physical chemistry, physical organic/mechanistic chemistry, or chemical physics/physical chemistry. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience beyond the doctorate is required. The candidate should have at least 5 years of successful experience in the administration of research and/or program development and assessment. Thorough knowledge and understanding of the national trends in research/training in their area of expertise is mandatory. Knowledge and familiarity with proposal submission and grant administration software is highly desirable. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills required. Travel required.

This position will be primarily based in the Washington D.C. office. ACS employees work a hybrid work schedule, consisting of working onsite, three days per week. ACS employees are in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday with the third in-office day scheduled in consultation with the manager. While always welcome to work in the office, employees may work the other two days of the week from a location of their choice. New employees are immediately eligible for this hybrid work arrangement. ACS offers relocation assistance, if applicable.

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