About Us:

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI), established in 1953 and headquartered in New York City, is the preeminent U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to saving more lives by fueling the discovery and development of powerful immunotherapies for all cancers. 

Guided by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Council that includes four Nobel laureates and 35 members of the National Academy of Sciences, CRI has invested over $517 million in support of research conducted by immunologists and tumor immunologists at the world's leading medical centers and universities and has contributed to many of the key scientific advances that demonstrate the potential for immunotherapy to change the face of cancer treatment. The Cancer Research Institute's research funding supports the entire continuum of basic discovery through early-stage clinical development of novel cancer immunotherapies.

Role: 

The Research Programs Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting the administration and operations of CRI’s research funding programs. This position is central to ensuring the smooth and efficient management of key processes across the grant lifecycle, including proposal review, reporting, review committee coordination, and data management.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Research Programs, the Research Programs Coordinator will work closely with grantees, scientific reviewers, and internal staff to uphold CRI’s high standards for program administration and research stewardship. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. A successful candidate will be a collaborative problem-solver with excellent communication skills, a keen eye for accuracy, and an interest in contributing to CRI’s mission of advancing cancer immunology.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who is proactive, detail-oriented, and interested in the intersection of science, program operations, and nonprofit work.

Responsibilities:

• Review submitted grant proposals to verify eligibility and resolve missing documentation or errors in submissions.
• Coordinate scheduling of scientific review committee meetings
• Arrange logistics for in-person committee meetings, including travel, lodging, and meals.
• Assist in the development and annual updates of program guidelines and application materials
• Respond to inquiries from prospective applicants regarding eligibility and submission procedures.
• Track and monitor progress reports. Conduct preliminary reviews of submitted reports for completeness and adherence to CRI standards.
• Send timely reminders to grantees for overdue reports.
• Coordinate with CRI’s Scientific Affairs Team to assess program impact 
• Maintain accuracy and consistency of data within the grants management system (SmatSimple).
• Support data quality initiatives and projects that assess the impact of CRI-funded research.
• Contribute to special projects and additional responsibilities as needed by the Research Programs team.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; fields related to science, public health, or nonprofit management a plus.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Analytical mindset with comfort working with databases and spreadsheets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word & Excel); Google Workspace; familiarity with grants management systems (e.g., SmartSimple) a plus.
• Team-oriented and proactive, with a willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities.

Benefits:

• 100% covered Health Insurance, Dental & Vision, Life Insurance, Long term & Short term disability
• 403b
• Paid Time off

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable laws and provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits tailored to factors such as location, role complexity, and experience. For roles in Burlingame, CA or New York City, the estimated base salary range is $50K-60K  per year.