jobs description

Job Title: Program Director, The Dunn Lab

City: West Lafayette

Job Summary

Are you looking to be part of something big? Radical innovations begin with small, impactful steps. Join the groundbreaking team at The Dunn Lab as our Program Director and take your next step in making a meaningful impact in mental health research. The Dunn Lab, led by Dr. Erin C. Dunn ( is at the forefront of discovering the causes of mental illness and creating roadmaps for prevention. We use interdisciplinary approaches to explore the social and biological factors that contribute to mental health disorders, with a focus on understanding depression risk among women, children, and adolescents.

Purdue University—known for achievements in science, technology, and engineering—continues its tradition of research excellence with the addition of the Dunn Lab to the College of Liberal Arts. Dr. Dunn joined Purdue from Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital to expand her research program on the social and biological determinants of mental illness, and to direct a university-wide Center focused on sociogenomics.

The Opportunity: Program Director

As the Program Director, you will be responsible for overseeing all administrative and operational tasks related to running the Dunn Lab’s wet and dry lab enterprise. In this critically important role, you will work closely with Dr. Dunn to facilitate day-to-day operations and provide scientific process guidance to the research team. You will play a leading role in building strategies for efficient and effective research, identifying best practices for collaboration and team science, and coaching team members to develop life skills as scientists and employees.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Oversight: Develop long-term plans and goals for the Lab in alignment with the organization's overall objectives. Oversee multiple projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope and budget.
• Budget Management: Collaborate with the Research Account Specialist to manage the lab’s budget, track expenses, and ensure financial sustainability for current and future grants.
• Team Leadership: Hire, train, and provide administrative supervision for lab staff. Co-mentor and coach team members in areas such as organization, time management, delegation, and change management.
• Compliance & Reporting: Prepare regular reports on the lab’s activities, progress, and outcomes for internal stakeholders, external partners, and funding agencies. Manage Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Transfer Agreements (DTAs), and IRB submissions.
• Quality Assurance: Implement and maintain quality assurance procedures to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of laboratory testing and research activities. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
• Partnerships & Outreach: Build and maintain relationships with external partners, promote the Lab’s work through presentations and publications, and advocate for its importance within the organization and the broader community.

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates will be results-focused, team-oriented, and creative leaders who can excel in a fast-paced and multidisciplinary research environment. Candidates must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and exhibit strong problem-solving skills. In addition, the successful candidate should be a clear and effective communicator, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills to enable collaboration with domestic and international project teams, peers, and management in identifying and achieving research goals.

Why the Dunn Lab?

• Impactful Research: We’ve made significant contributions to understanding how early adversity impacts mental health, leading pioneering genetic and gene-environment interaction studies, including some of the first genome-wide association studies of depression risk in non-European ancestry populations.
• Collaborate and Innovate with a Renowned Leader: Dr. Erin C. Dunn brings over a decade of experience from her previous roles at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital. Now a Professor at Purdue and Director of a new interdisciplinary Center focused on sociogenomics, Dr. Dunn is a leading voice in integrating genomics with social sciences. With national and international research collaborations, the Dunn Lab offers a unique environment for innovative thinking and collaboration as you work alongside experts in genetics, sociology, psychology, and more.
• Career Advancement: Whether you’re planning for a career in academia or another professional path, being part of the Dunn Lab will provide invaluable experience, mentorship, and a competitive edge. Our 80+ trainees have gone on to successful careers in clinical psychology, public health, medicine, and beyond.
• Diverse Perspectives: The Dunn Lab believes good science is built on a foundation of diverse and inclusive teams. We foster an environment where different thinking and approaches drive meaningful advances in mental health research and strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Qualifications:

Required:

• BA/BS with 6-7 years of experience in research and extensive experience in all administrative and operational tasks related to running a wet and dry lab. Education beyond BA/BS will be considered in lieu of some experience (e.g., 3-5 years of experience required with a master’s or PhD).

Expertise in the following areas:

• Hiring and staffing the lab.
• Co-mentoring staff (with a matched scientific partner).
• IRB submissions, MTAs, and DTAs.
• Budget management and process improvement.
• Problem-solving and change management.
• High attention to detail and the ability to see the big picture while executing steps to achieve the vision.
• Emotional intelligence and team collaboration.

Preferred:

• MA/MPH/MS or PhD

Why Purdue University?

Purdue University is a powerhouse of innovation and discovery, offering a world-class research environment that fosters groundbreaking advancements across diverse disciplines. As Indiana’s land-grant university and a Carnegie Foundation tier-one research institution, Purdue combines a rich history of education with a commitment to tackling global challenges.

The Dunn Lab is based in Discovery Park’s Bindley Bioscience Center, a 1.3 million square foot research space that facilitates interdisciplinary research. Supported by an extensive network of research cores and sponsored research awards reaching a record $757.5 million, Purdue provides the tools and expertise necessary for impactful investigations across fields such as engineering, life sciences, technology, and humanities.

Purdue is also dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable education. Ranked among the top 10 public universities in the US, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees for over 10 years, enabling more students to graduate debt-free. The College of Liberal Arts, home to the Dunn Lab, is an emerging leader in innovative education, offering nationally recognized programs like the Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts program, Degree+, and the Degree in 3 initiative. These programs enhance Purdue’s renowned STEM education by pushing all students to become bold, visionary leaders capable of addressing the complexities of today’s world.

Application Materials:

Must include a cover letter and resume. Your cover letter should include:

• Relevant experience and skills that make you uniquely qualified for this role.
• What interests you about being part of the Dunn Lab team and why you are excited about the opportunity.
• How your experiences, skills, and interests align with the culture of the College of Liberal Arts and Purdue University.

Additional Information:

• Purdue will not sponsor an employment related visa for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period

Benefits of a Purdue Career:

• Competitive benefits package including generous paid sick time and vacation
• Tuition remission (Purdue and Purdue Global)

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer.

All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

#J-18808-Ljbffr
Dunn NC United States

salary-criteria

Apply - Program Director, The Dunn Lab