Remote Partner - Federal Science Policy & Institutional Design

About the Role

We're looking for a seasoned operator to join us as a Remote Partner at Convergent Research. In this role, you'll navigate the intersection of breakthrough science, institutional design, and federal policy, primarily based in the greater D.C. area. As a Remote Partner, you'll lead our initiatives on Capitol Hill, grow our government funding portfolio, and represent Convergent in policy circles. Your work will ensure that our Focused Research Organizations (FROs) have the strategic partnerships and resources they need to succeed.

What You'll Do

• Identify new FROs by sourcing breakthrough moonshot concepts and shepherding them from concept to launch through federally funded programs.
• Grow the government funding portfolio by identifying new federal funding opportunities and building relationships with program officers and agency leadership.
• Represent Convergent in policy circles, interfacing with agencies like NSF, OSTP, DOE, and DARPA.
• Provide board governance as a voting member on multiple FROs, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and strategic oversight.
• Shape Convergent's government strategy to refine our approach to federal partnerships and scale relationships without increasing bureaucracy.

Requirements

• Proven experience in federal science policy and institutional design.
• Strong connections within government agencies, particularly NSF and DARPA.
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable policy.
• Experience in managing government-funded projects with a focus on speed and scientific rigor.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to advocate for FROs in policy discussions.

Nice to Have

• Experience as a program officer or senior staffer at NSF, DARPA, or similar organizations.
• Track record of securing large federal grants for unconventional research models.
• Published work on science policy or research funding.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary range of $200,000 - $350,000 annually.
• Opportunity to work remotely while making a significant impact in the field of science and policy.
• Join a team that is ambitious, irreverent, and deeply committed to enabling breakthrough science.
• Engage with leading scientists and policymakers to shape the future of research funding.
• Be part of a mission-driven organization that values diversity and inclusion.