Executive Director

High-quality data resources are critical for the scientific enterprise. A coalition of the world’s biomedical and life sciences research funders is being established to develop internationally coordinated strategies for the long-term stewardship of essential data resources. This Global Biodata Coalition is backed by research funders from more than 20 countries around the world, with the aim of providing an equitable, priority-driven, and international framework for ensuring the long-term and stable sustainability of core data resources for biomedical and life sciences research. The Global Biodata Coalition’s mission is to provide scientists worldwide ongoing and unfettered access to the most essential data resources for conducting contemporary biomedical and life sciences research. In preparation for its formal launch, the Global Biodata Coalition is now seeking to recruit its first:

Executive Director

(20-40% based anywhere worldwide)

An outstanding individual is sought to be the inaugural Executive Director of the Global Biodata Coalition, reporting directly to a Board of international funders. This pivotal role will involve leading all aspects of the development of this unique international coalition and will call for a rare mix of skills in the scientific, political, and diplomatic arenas.

The key responsibilities of the position are:

• Leadership of the planning, implementation, and operational development of the Global Biodata Coalition, including supervision of the secretariat staff.
• Building strong and effective relationships with global biomedical and life science funders and with stakeholders of the global data infrastructure, including data resource managers and users.
• Leading efforts to raise funds to support the activities of the Global Biodata Coalition.
• Monitoring, measuring, and reporting on progress and impact of the Global Biodata Coalition.

The ideal candidate must be able to articulate a clear and convincing strategic vision and demonstrate leadership abilities for making that vision a reality. That candidate will preferably be a biomedical or life sciences expert with experience in the practical applications of using and/or maintaining data resources. Other desirable attributes include experience working with or in international organisations and within an international context as well as organisational and management skills to manage the start-up and growth of a new non-governmental organization.

The challenging nature of launching and the leading the Global Biodata Coalition calls for an individual who, by nature, is diplomatic, flexible, resilient, and visionary, whilst possessing a high tolerance for fast-paced changes. The candidate must be an effective communicator, able to express complex ideas and plans clearly to a wide range of audiences.

This is a position at 20-40% effort (by negotiation) and is compatible with the Executive Director continuing to hold another scientific and/or administrative position. Relocation is not a requirement.

To view a more detailed job description, including key responsibilities, requirements, and reporting structures for the role, please download from the GBC website:

https://globalbiodata.org/resources/

To apply send your CV and motivational letter to search@globalbiodata.org

For enquiries, please email Dr CE Cook (ccook@globalbiodata.org). We will then contact you.