Senior Staff Scientist

What's your motivation? Opportunity? Creativity? Contribution? It's all part of working for the American Heart Association---where you can combine professional growth with personal fulfillment. So if you're considering a new and rewarding career, consider the American Heart Association. We have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Staff Scientist in our National Center office in Dallas, TX.

The Senior Staff Scientist will provide science information, synthesis, interpretation, coordination, and guidance in its use for all AHA/ASA components and programs. This position will identify emerging scientific issues in the areas of cardiovascular and stroke science, practice and outcomes. This role may provide scientific and organizational expertise to scientific councils, committees, writing groups, expert panels, and task forces as well as any other internal AHA groups as needed. The Senior Staff Scientist assists in policy formulation for the American Heart Association and contributes to its mission. The Senior Staff Scientist possesses a broad background sufficient to easily and quickly formulate and articulate an appropriate response or a plan for any cardiac or stroke issue that arises. This broad content mastery along with the Senior Staff Scientist's flexibility, communication skills, leadership skills, political acumen, and ability to handle ambiguity, will allow the person to be sought after by internal AHA staff and external groups to provide messaging and direction on behalf of AHA. Most often these actions are done following consultation with the CSO or VP/OSO. However, the Senior Staff Scientist possesses the insight and initiative to apply their skills independently when the situation calls for a quick response Additionally, the individual must possess superior interpersonal, organizational, leadership skills and scientific skills to allow them to have the influence required to fulfill the major functions of the role.

Major Responsibilities Include:
1. Identifies and leads efforts to enhance the mission of the AHA/ASA.
2. Directs implementation of special national level science projects in various areas of cardiovascular science and medicine.
3. Serves as a science and medicine advisor to any AHA/ASA department or component and to ASA/AHA volunteer groups as assigned.
4. Serves in a staff leadership role for internal and external AHA/ASA science and non-science committees.
5. Working with the CSO/Sr. VP/OSO, identifies and implements strategies to develop and support the volunteer leadership and general members within volunteer committees.
6. Serves as a mentor to science and medicine advisors and associate science and medicine advisors, overseeing their orientation and other activities in conjunction with the Sr. VP/OSO.
7. Identifies problems and opportunities relative to AHA/ASA basic, clinical, population and/or outcomes science and provides appropriate actions.
8. Maintains mastery of cardiovascular knowledge through reading science literature, establishing and maintaining professional consultation contacts, attending meetings, assisting advocacy in interpreting the scientific/medical implications of legislation, and attending to inquiries from public and professionals. Has the ability to synthesize new, unfamiliar science areas and identify aspects which are relevant to the AHA's mission.
9. Determines type of action to be taken in reacting to scientific needs by reviewing the state of the science knowledge, integrating it with AHA goals and applying appropriate group skills to achieve the actions.
10. Provides leadership and support to the development of scientific statements, guidelines, and advisories by volunteer writing groups. Can identify the most critical issues in these areas and assist in the development of new or revised statements on these issues.
11. Proactively provides internal AHA departments and programs with translation and application of new and evolving cardiovascular science and the impact that it will have on these departments and programs.
12. Determines scientific accuracy of AHA/ASA media materials, patient education etc. and assists in their writing and revision, as well as materials in the areas of cardiovascular research and related development activities.
13. Participates on a limited basis as a writer, moderator or presenter within volunteer writing, conference planning and conference groups.
14. Coordinates and prioritizes with the CSO/Sr. VP/OSO and other SMAs, program coordinators and senior managers on key science-related agenda items.

1. A PhD, MD or equivalent degree in one of the disciplines that apply to cardiovascular science.
2. A minimum of 10 years of job experience in cardiovascular science or practice is required. Previous employment in an academic/healthcare setting is desirable.
3. Knowledge of the major issues and concerns in the field of cardiovascular science and medicine.
4. Experience in cardiovascular research and training.
5. Superior skills in written and oral communication.
6. Expertise in scientific reporting and skills in scientific editing.
7. Ability to meet, interact with and mentor all levels of AHA/ASA staff, volunteers and the public.
8. Ability to understand, integrate and synthesize scientific literature.
9. Superior group skills (e.g. conflict resolution, consultation, facilitation, negotiation, teaching, motivation, collaboration etc.).
10. Ability to function independently with minimal supervision.
11. Ability and willingness to work irregular hours and attend meetings beyond the framework of a normal working schedule. Willing to travel overnight and/or work evenings/weekends.
12. Willing to grow professionally and continually make contributions to the AHA/ASA based upon knowledge and experience towards enhancement and improvement of existing programs and to suggest new projects.

Attracting talented, committed employees means offering a competitive benefits package, ongoing professional development and training, and a diverse and inclusive environment in which to work and grow. And we do.

To apply for this position or to see other opportunities with the American Heart Association please visit www.heart.org/careers. We no longer accept mailed, faxed or e-mailed resumes. Please apply for positions directly through our website. Only those candidates deemed most qualified by the hiring manager will be contacted to interview. T

he American Heart Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and works to prohibit discrimination and to assure fair and uniform treatment of applicants and employees in all aspects of Human Resources administration without regard to political or religious opinions or affiliations, membership or non-membership in employee organizations, age, sex, disability, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or any other non-merit factor.