Project Manager, Project & Program Management, Operations Management

The AI-Driven, Rapid, Experimental Automation Machine (DREAM) Cloud Lab for Protein Engineering at Northwestern University will be a national user facility that accelerates the engineering of proteins for a range of important biotechnology applications spanning manufacturing, materials, medicine, waste recycling, agriculture, food, mining and more. Through creating and operating an automated cell-free protein synthesis and characterization wet-lab, connected through an AI-directed protein design-build-test-learn framework, DREAM users from across the U.S. can engineer custom proteins in rapid, automated, accessible and reliable steps instead of the months to years required with current practices.

DREAM will generate both novel proteins with useful functions and the high-quality experimental data and models needed to improve how proteins are designed in the future. Those capabilities could ultimately be used by academic researchers and industry across medicine, manufacturing, materials, agriculture, food, sustainability, and other areas where engineered proteins can solve important problems. DREAM will be housed in the Northwestern Center for Synthetic Biology (NU CSB), a world-renowned center for engineering impactful biotechnologies.

DREAM is seeking an exceptional Project Manager to help turn this vision into an operating national facility. Working closely with Node Director Professor Julius Lucks, the Project Manager will sit at the center of DREAM bringing together the scientific, engineering, automation, computational, operational, and administrative work streams required to launch and run the facility.

This is much more than a traditional project-management role. The successful candidate will help build the systems by which DREAM operates: translating an ambitious technical program into executable plans, keeping teams aligned across disciplines, identifying risks before they become roadblocks, and driving the project from buildout through launch and ongoing operations.

The Project Manager will own the integration of budget, schedule, scope, risk, and execution across the Node and will lead development and implementation of DREAM’s Project Execution Plan, including governance, stakeholder engagement, communications, development strategy, compliance, cost and schedule management, and risk and issue management.

Coordinating work streams and resources

Responsible for the coordinated management of multiple related projects, and in many cases, ongoing operations, which are directed toward a common objective. Works with constituent Project Managers to monitor cost, schedule, and technical performance of component projects and operations, while working to ensure the ultimate success of the program. Determines and coordinates the sharing of resources among constituent projects to other overall benefit of the program.

Partners with stakeholder management to ensure project success.

Navigating challenges and roadblocks

The Project Manager will interact with workstream leads to help address scientific, engineering, and management challenges to increase DREAM's operational efficiency and scale.

Driving execution

The position will help drive seamless execution across several core areas, including cell-free protein synthesis, wet lab workflows, robotic automation, computational protein design, data infrastructure, and biosafety/biosecurity systems.

Supervision and oversight

The Project Manager will supervise DREAM's scientific and computational staff and collaborate closely with NU CSB faculty leads, trainees, and staff across core areas to track progress, coordinate activities, and ensure achievement of project milestones.

Desired expertise and experience

The ideal candidate combines expertise in cell-free synthetic biology, protein engineering, and experience with machine learning with strong formal project management expertise, enabling them to work across multidisciplinary teams to build and scale DREAM.

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 6 years managing Information Technology (IT) and related virtual and physical infrastructure projects or other relevant experience required.
• Certification/Licensure – PMP Certification within 1 year.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and continuously improve project management and…