Chief Scientific Officer

We are seeking an exceptional CSO with outstanding scientific credentials and a proven record of leading and delivering high-impact research in world-class institutions. The ideal candidate will be a leading expert in cerebroids, organoids, assembloids, or other stem cell derived “organ-in-a-dish” systems, with direct experience in automated screening and/or drug discovery applications strongly preferred. This individual will bring a distinguished track record of scientific achievement and success in driving ambitious, complex research programs to completion.

As CSO, you will define the scientific vision for NGNRI, design and lead its research strategy, and ensure execution of programs aimed at breakthrough discoveries in Neurofibromatosis type I and other neurological disorders. You will lead and mentor research teams, fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment, and serve as the primary scientific liaison for external partners. The CSO will also provide regular scientific reporting to the CEO, Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation, and the Board. Experience in drug discovery through preclinical development is a significant asset. We are looking for a rigorous, curiosity-driven scientific leader who combines bold vision with disciplined execution, and who upholds the highest standards of scientific integrity and ethics while advancing programs with the greatest potential for impact.

About the role

• Establish the scientific vision and set the research agenda for curing NF1 at NGNRI

• Recruit the necessary talent to achieve the research goals

• Design workflows and laboratory infrastructure arrangements to best support the NGNRI research program

• Establish an organizational structure of research teams and research team leadership for optimizing progress towards achieving NGNRI research goals

• Provide a structure of group meetings, presentations, brainstorming, review of data, modelling using theory and the required structure at the cross-program level to ensure best chances of supporting continual progress by optimal exploitation of results

• Be the scientific ambassador of NGNRI reaching out to scientific peers throughout the world and nurturing interest to participate in NGNRI’s guest program

• Design the complementation between NGNRI staff research teams (mainly technology focused such as screening, organoid culture, FACS etc) and guest programs (application, mechanistic or translational research)

• Establish consultative forums (such as scientific advisory panels) of leading scientific peers to provide input and help guide NGNRI’s research

• Together with the NGNRI CEO, promote the attractiveness of NGNRI guest programs to the scientists in leading research organizations and establish partnering programs with their institutions

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines as well operations at the highest ethical standards

About you

• Outstanding integrity both personally and with regard to research conduct

• Visionary, motivated, able to inspire

• Excellent communicator whether in writing, speech or oral presentations

• Deferential to diversity, equality and inclusion and able to lead diverse multicultural teams

• Someone who will embrace a bold vision and remain loyal to its purpose

• Able to unite individuals and build a common agenda

• Able to serve as an ambassador of NGNRI and with proven diplomatic skills

• An individual with the highest integrity and ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading a research team. Ideally, experience as a CSO, or research group leader or independent research appointment at least at the assistant professor level. Outstanding postdoctoral fellows will also be considered.

• Ability to provide research vision and motivate a team

• Substantive corroborated experience leading challenging goal-driven research programs

• Experience solving problems and overcoming obstacles, flexibility to consider and adopt alternative strategies when needed

• Meticulous record keeper and able to nurture all appropriate safeguards by staff for valuable research results

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, communication and team-building

• Profound understanding and experience translating research vision into experimental programs

• Proactive, go-getter with a can-do attitude together with the integrity, care, stringency and stamina to attend to details along the way

• Ability to attract and recruit talent

• Experience navigating regulatory and compliance requirements in a professional environment is a plus

• Experience assuming accountability for projects or research driven initiatives

What you’ll get

Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We’ve got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery.

Located within a new, state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.

NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science within a vibrant and expanding hub.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time.  Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.  Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [email protected].