Rotating Associate Director for Convening Programs

Program :

3457-CONVENING [#29205]

Program

Title:

Rotating Associate Director, Convening Programs

Program Type:

Administration

Program

Location:

Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States of America [ map ]

Subject Areas:

mathematics, theory, biology, administration, programs

Starting Date:

2027/08/01

Compensation:

This position can be hired as employment with Northwestern University or as a subcontract to a faculty member’s home institution. This position is 100% effort.

Program Description

Notice:
Due January 31, 2027 for full consideration

??

Appointment Period:

August 1, 2027 – August 31, 2028
Renewable for a second year

The Rotating Associate Director for Convening Programs provides scientific leadership for NITMB's portfolio of workshops, scientific focus programs, extended research programs, tutorials, training activities, and community-building initiatives. Working closely with the NITMB Director, Leadership Team, Scientific Advisory Council, External Advisory Board, and Convening Programs staff, the Associate Director is responsible for developing a nationally recognized portfolio of scientific activities that advance NITMB's mission of catalyzing transformative interactions between mathematics and biology.

The Associate Director serves as Chair of the Workshop Committee and leads the scientific development, review, and evaluation of NITMB convening activities. This role is responsible for identifying emerging scientific opportunities, cultivating future program organizers, strengthening participation across disciplines and career stages, and ensuring that NITMB activities generate lasting scientific collaborations, training opportunities, and community impact. The Associate Director collaborates closely with professional staff to ensure seamless execution of programs while providing strategic direction for the growth and evolution of NITMB's convening ecosystem.

This position can be hired as employment with Northwestern University or as a subcontract to a faculty member’s home institution. This position is 100% effort.

• Provide scientific leadership for NITMB workshops, scientific focuses, conferences, tutorials, working groups, and extended research programs.
• Identify emerging research areas and opportunities that align with NITMB's mission and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain a balanced portfolio of activities that integrates discovery, collaboration, training, and community-building.
• Work with NITMB leadership to assess, develop, and implement longer-duration scientific programs and thematic initiatives.
• Ensure convening activities foster interactions among experimental, theoretical, computational, and mathematical researchers.

• Chair the NITMB Workshop Committee.
• Lead the solicitation, review, evaluation, and selection of workshop proposals.
• Develop recommendations regarding program priorities and future scientific directions.
• Work with NITMB scientific leadership and advisory bodies to identify prospective organizers and program themes.
• Maintain transparent and equitable proposal review processes that promote scientific excellence and broad participation.

• Serve as the primary scientific liaison for workshop and program organizers.
• Guide organizers in refining scientific objectives, participant composition, tutorials, training activities, schedules, and expected outcomes.
• Support organizers in creating programs that…