Position Summary The Healthier Futures Lab in the School of Public Health is seeking a Program Coordinator to serve as the primary operational partner to the lab's director, Dr. Salma Abdalla. The lab conducts externally funded research on the macrosocial forces that shape health outcomes, population mental health, and public health metascience. The Program Coordinator will manage the day-to-day operations of the lab, including scheduling, team coordination, content production, grant administration, research support, and event planning. This role requires a high degree of independence, proactive judgment, and comfort with using technology tools to improve operational efficiency.
Manage the full grant lifecycle across multiple concurrent awards and funders, including tracking deadlines, support the submission or grants, preparing progress reports, and coordinating renewals and no-cost extensions.
Submit and track expenses, reimbursements, and procurement.
Coordinate IRB processes.
Support manuscript preparation and submission.
Assist with literature reviews and evidence synthesis as needed.
Schedule, Communications, and Travel Management
Serve as the primary calendar manager and scheduling strategist, including protecting focused work time and ensuring meeting preparation materials are ready.
Draft and send communications to funders, collaborators, and institutional partners as needed.
Coordinate travel logistics including booking, reimbursements, visa applications, and itinerary management.
Team and Project Support
Build and maintain a project management system to track deliverables, deadlines, and accountability across the research team.
Run regular check-ins and keep projects on schedule.
Manage onboarding and offboarding for lab personnel.
Content Production and Events
Support production of a podcast and two Substack newsletters, including scheduling guests, coordinating recordings, light editing, drafting show notes, formatting posts, and tracking audience metrics.
Prepare and update slide decks and presentations for talks, funder meetings, and conferences.
Support the planning of events.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the lab's research, communications, and operational needs.
Applicant Special Instructions:
In addition to a resume, please submit a cover letter (one page maximum) that addresses the following two questions: (1) Describe a time you built or improved a system that made a team or leader more effective. What was the problem, what did you do, and what was the result? (2) How do you currently use AI tools in your work? Give a specific example.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
This position is fully in-person, working in a typical office environment. We believe an in-person environment fosters the best collaboration and operational support for our team .
Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.
Physical Effort
Typically sitting at a desk or table.
Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
Equipment
Office equipment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
Certifications /Professional Licenses :
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Relevant Experience (3 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with three years of relevant experience. Prior public health experience is not required.
Demonstrated experience managing complex operations, multiple concurrent projects, or a senior leader's workflow in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated track record of building and maintaining organizational systems (project trackers, calendars, workflows) that improve team effectiveness.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft professional correspondence.
Active, fluent use of AI tools to improve productivity.
Strong judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information related to grants, personnel, and institutional relationships.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and comfort learning new software tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in public administration, public health, or a related field.
Proficiency with project management tools such as Notion, Asana, Monday, or similar platforms.
Experience with content production: newsletters, podcasts, Substack, social media, or science communications.
Experience with grants administration in an academic setting, including familiarity with NIH, foundation, and international funder requirements.
Familiarity with IRB processes and regulatory compliance.
Experience planning and coordinating events.
Familiarity with reference management software (Zotero).
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree
Certifications /Professional Licenses :
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Content Production, Fast-Paced Environments, Google Workspace, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Learning New Technologies, Microsoft Office, Multiple Project Management, Organizing Events, Professional Correspondence, Regulatory Compliance, Sensitive Information, Sound Judgment, Written Communication
Grade G10
Salary Range $49,700.00 - $82,100.00 / Annually
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .
Accommodation If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.