Program Officer, Mathematical & Physical Sciences

ORGANIZATION:	John Templeton Foundation
POSITION:	Program Officer, Mathematical & Physical Sciences
REPORTS TO:	Vice President and Chief Programs Officer
LOCATION:	West Conshohocken, PA (3 days/week in-office)
TRAVEL:	Ability to travel for business, on average every four to six weeks
INFORMATION:	https://www.templeton.org
TO APPLY:	Please send cover letter and resume as one PDF with title format “Last Name First Name – Letter Resume” to JTFPOMPS@pbrsearch.com, with “MPS” in the subject line.

BACKGROUND

The John Templeton Foundation supports interdisciplinary research and catalyzes conversations that inspire awe and wonder. The Foundation is working to create a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, free to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and motivated by great and selfless love. The Mathematical & Physical Sciences funding area supports research that aims to test and advance the limits of scientific understanding and to elucidate the interplay between the sciences and broader human experience. Its main scientific goal is to spur innovation at the level of foundational concepts, especially in the areas of quantum physics, cosmology, and emergence, which rely heavily on the mathematical and information sciences and on empirical and technological methodologies. To accomplish its goals, the department supports researchers in various fields – not only in the quantitative and natural sciences, but also in the humanities and social sciences – as the latter fields can contribute both to conceptual innovation and to the understanding of how scientific advances affect and are affected by social and institutional dynamics in the broader culture.

POSITION

The Program Officer for Mathematical & Physical Sciences (MPS) is responsible for implementing the strategic and operational objectives of the Foundation’s investments in the Mathematical & Physical Sciences. The Program Officer’s activities include reviewing grant proposals, communicating with applicants and grantees regarding the application and review process, collaborating with the evaluation team to determine the impact of grants, developing new projects to advance the mission and vision of the Foundation, and representing the Foundation at relevant meetings and conferences. The MPS portfolio of active grants is about $60M, including ongoing multi-year grants, and includes about 40 grantees. The Foundation as a whole granted $134.4 million in 2024 and is composed of close to 60 colleagues.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in all aspects of the grant submission and grant review process.
• Review and analyze grant proposals, engage external reviewers, prepare funding recommendations, monitor grant activity, help grantees with change requests, and manage the Foundation’s relationship with project teams.
• Actively engage with and have a high-level view of the broader field, including identifying trends, emerging ideas, and new areas of opportunity for funding that can address key questions.
• Evaluate the performance of grants and grantees in conjunction with the planning and evaluation department.
• Contribute to the development and execution of strategic program plans.
• Develop a range of proactive initiatives that serve the Foundation’s mission through specific research or engagement projects.
• Develop and contribute to special projects in collaboration with the department head.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other grant-making departments to develop and implement projects that benefit from a range of disciplinary perspectives and professional expertise.
• Participate in the organization of planning meetings, conferences and symposia relevant to the Foundation’s mission and/or MPS.
• Communicate the Foundation’s mission and the department’s goals to relevant stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Grow the Foundation’s network in MPS by making new contacts and discussing possible projects with potential grantees.
• Increase the Foundation’s brand relevance and impact of funding by attracting leading researchers and promising scholars.
• Identify and communicate with other funding agencies whose goals overlap with the Foundation’s goals in Mathematical & Physical Sciences, seeking to make partnerships or otherwise leverage the Foundation’s impact on a global scale.
• Participate in site visits for active grants.
• Attend relevant professional conferences and participate in other professional development opportunities.
• Lead and collaborate on foundation-wide initiatives and projects to further the overall mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, mathematics, or a related area
• Minimum five years of related professional experience (in academia, philanthropy/grant-making, or the non-profit sector)
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing proposals, papers, presentations, etc.
• Strong analytic skills and detail-orientation when gathering information, evaluating ideas, reviewing budgets, and making decisions
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and to meet deadlines consistently
• Experience working with a grants management system or relevant database preferred

Personal Attributes

• Humility and open-mindedness, with an interest in furthering the field and the work of others rather than narrowly focusing on specific research questions; an interest in acting as a facilitator rather than a driver
• Excellent communications and networking skills; the ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences, including those outside the field
• High level of organization; the ability to set and meet deadlines when multiple stakeholders are involved; the ability to ensure that grants are aligned with internal guiding documents and regulations in addition to the strategic direction of the portfolio
• Ability to forge and maintain professional networks, including with researchers in a range of MPS-related fields
• Flexibility and openness to feedback
• Strong personal interest in the Foundation’s mission and values
• Familiarity with foundational questions in MPS-related field
• Interest in developing research networks through funding initiatives

COMPENSATION

• Anticipated salary starting around $120K, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching and additional discretionary contributions, unique employee donation program.

The Foundation requires employees to be physically present in its offices for a minimum of three days per week. This in-office requirement is essential to the organization for a number of key reasons, including that it allows for spontaneous interactions and face-to-face communication, facilitates effective and efficient teamwork and collaboration, and ensures regular access to the office’s various resources. It also helps maintain and strengthen the organization’s culture by allowing employees to regularly engage in a more active way in meetings and interactions and fosters a sense of belonging and community. In addition, regular in-office work is required for this position because of the role’s responsibility to manage department staff, as well as the high level of interaction and teamwork required to carry out other responsibilities, which include developing interdisciplinary initiatives and strategies within the Life Sciences funding area, achieving efficiency in the grantmaking processes, and attending key meetings in person.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, John Templeton Foundation encourages you to apply. John Templeton Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies., John Templeton Foundation will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

TO APPLY

Please send cover letter and resume as one PDF with title format “Last Name First Name – Letter Resume” to JTFPOMPS@pbrsearch.com, with “MPS” in the subject line.