Executive Director (U.S. Representative), RERF

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) seeks candidates for Executive Director (U.S. representative) at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in Hiroshima, Japan. The Executive Director (U.S. representative) is responsible and accountable, together with the Representative Director and Executive Director (Japanese representative), for the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of RERF’s scientific programs. The Executive Director (U.S. representative) along with the Representative Director and Executive Director (Japanese representative) has responsibility for the oversight of staff at RERF and reports to internal and external audiences on anticipated, ongoing and completed RERF research activities and strategic goals and outcomes, including at national and international scientific meetings. The Executive Director (U.S. representative) also serves as Vice Chair of RERF.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, have strong interest and experience in epidemiology, cancer biology, radiation biology, or a related field, and hold a Ph.D., Sc.D., or M.D. degree in a relevant scientific discipline or have equivalent knowledge. The successful candidate receives an appointment from NAS and RERF for an initial period of two years with the potential for renewal every two years.

NAS offers an outstanding package of benefits and relocation allowances for this position. Please visit the Academies’ website (link at the end of this notice) to apply for this position or contact Dr. Ourania Kosti at NAS (okosti@nas.edu) for additional information.

The Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) is a bi-national public interest foundation in Japan that conducts research for the benefit of the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and for humanity. RERF is supported by the governments of Japan (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) and the United States (U.S. Department of Energy) and is a global leader in the study of long-term effects of radiation exposure on human health and its interactions with genes, lifestyle, and environment. RERF and its predecessor, the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission, have studied the health of Japanese atomic bombing survivors since 1947 in three large cohorts: Life Span Study, Adult Health Study, and a study of survivor offspring (F1 Study). The NAS has a long-standing cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to recruit and hire U.S. scientists to work at RERF.

The highest decision-making body at RERF is the Board of Councilors, consisting of Councilors appointed from Japan and the United States. The Board of Directors, consisting of the Representative Director/Chair, Executive Director/Vice-Chair (U.S. representative), and Executive Director (Japanese representative), is responsible for the management of RERF’s operations and reports to the Board of Councilors.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• In collaboration with the Chair/Representative Director and the Executive Director (Japanese representative), is responsible and accountable for administering the business of RERF, including the development of budgets and approvals for expenditures, and for formulating, interpreting, and implementing RERF policies and operating practices.

   

• In collaboration with the Chair/Representative Director and the Executive Director (Japanese representative), is responsible and accountable for research program planning and execution and for establishing and sustaining high-level research systems and capabilities.

   

• In collaboration with the Chair/Representative Director and the Executive Director (Japanese representative), provides scientific leadership at RERF and serves as a resource to RERF research staff.

   

• Provides scientific leadership and mentors employees. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and motivates and supports development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational, conflict of interest, and ethical business policies. Performs performance reviews of assigned staff.

   

• Fosters collaborative research activities across RERF and with external investigators.

   

• Plans for and participates in meetings of the RERF Scientific Advisory Committee and Board of Councilors.

   

• Represents RERF within and outside the institution along with the Chair/Representative Director and the Executive Director (Japanese representative). Conducts speaking engagements, handles media contacts, participates in outside committees, and participates in scientific meetings.

   

• Maintains an appropriate standard of confidentiality.  When handling secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information and matters, maintains strict confidence and exercises care to prevent disclosure to others.  Accesses confidential information for work-related reasons only, following the policies and procedures of the organization. Ensures that any privileged, sensitive, or confidential information is securely stored, disposed of, and transmitted according to the Institutional guidance.  Ensures procedures are in place to maintain and protect confidentiality and to prevent disclosure.