Senior Science Policy Analyst - American Association for Cancer Research

Organizational Profile:

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with more than 56,000 members residing in the U.S. and 119 other countries, is the first and largest organization in the world dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure all cancers.  Our members are the collective brain trust of all scientific areas in cancer research, from population science and prevention; to cancer biology, translational, and clinical studies; to survivorship.

We marshal the full spectrum of expertise in the cancer research community to identify the top scientific priorities and foster the exchange of new knowledge among scientists and physicians in the cancer field as well as in related biomedical sciences; convene conferences and educational workshops each year; publish eight high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals; produce a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers; and work to raise funds for cancer research from the philanthropic community and the public.

The AACR also actively communicates to legislators, other policymakers, and the broader public about the enormous value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer and advocates for policies that accelerate progress against cancer, including interacting with regulatory agencies to support regulatory science and policy.

Job Summary:

Under the leadership of the Director, Science and Health Policy, the Senior Science Policy Analyst will support AACR leaders, including the Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee, its relevant Subcommittees, AACR colleagues, and the broader advocacy community on science policy issues and activities in support of the AACR’s Strategic Plan and policy priorities.

The Senior Science Policy Analyst plays an important role in the success of AACR’s work in the important area of science policy, especially in helping to develop and guide AACR science policy activities to a productive conclusion. Such activities are designed to create and strengthen the dialogue between policymakers, scientists, and advocates, as well as support policies to advance cancer research and improve patient care. This particular person provides assistance on science policy issues that are important to AACR leadership.  He/she takes initiative, has excellent written and oral communication skills, and has experience in project management, committee management, and consensus building. Responsibilities range from monitoring, researching, and analyzing science policy initiatives in AACR priority areas; developing policy statements; compiling background information; attending and summarizing policy meetings and events; supporting science policy-related committees; and providing support to the Director, Science and Health Policy, among others, on a wide array of tasks and assignments.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Science Policy Analyst will work collaboratively with others in the AACR D.C. office, including the Director, Regulatory Science and Policy and the Director, Government Affairs, among others, particularly on the numerous policy-related issues that are crosscutting and currently being addressed by many of them.  The Senior Science Policy Analyst is expected to work on a number of science policy issues, as well as identify opportunities to disseminate the information to a broader audience.  The list of issues and activities includes but is not limited to the following:

• Participating in initiatives that advocate for federal funding for cancer research and biomedical science, such as providing content for the annual AACR Cancer Progress Report, as well as one-pagers and letters to Capitol Hill.
• Assisting colleagues to advance science policy measures that will accelerate discoveries into cures through a variety of initiatives, including enhancing biomarker discovery, supporting innovative translational and clinical research proposals, increasing the number of patients participating in clinical trials, and facilitating clinical data sharing among multiple stakeholders while balancing patient privacy, etc.
• Advocating for and providing real-time information, analysis, and oversight on a variety of science and health policy issues, including tobacco control measures and other broader cancer prevention and public health-related issues to advance public health, such as improved cancer screening and early detection and using evidence-based measures to ameliorate cancer health disparities.
• Working with others to implement policy changes that improve the care that cancer survivors receive from diagnosis onward.
• Working in collaboration with others in the AACR D.C. office to ensure the rapid implementation of research discoveries to improved patient care through a learning health care system and integrated health information technology systems.
• Working on broader policy issues such as nurturing a strong cancer workforce for the future, and decreasing the global burden of cancer.
• Drafting policy recommendations/policy statements/white papers for policy makers on Capitol Hill and within federal agencies, most specifically in regard to the NIH and FDA on particularly important science policy-related topics, such as e-cigarettes, the “common rule” for human subject protection regulations, the precision medicine initiative, cancer health disparities, among other possible topics.
• Monitoring, analyzing, and assessing federal regulations, legislation, and other government activities as they pertain to the aforementioned priority policy issues, as well as responding to “requests for comments” from federal agencies, most especially the NIH and FDA, on science policy issues that are important to the AACR membership.
• Ensuring that the AACR advocacy materials that are developed are shared and disseminated widely through various venues and means, such as at Congressional briefings and hearings, special meetings on Capitol Hill, and at AACR conferences, are effective.
• Supporting AACR’s committee activities, including coordinating meetings, providing background materials, and executing action plans.
• Providing contributions to the AACR policy newsletter, cancer progress report and annual report to inform AACR members, cancer organizations, and the general public about important science policy issues.
• Assisting in facilitating a science policy track at the AACR Annual Meeting, as well as working on special science policy sessions at other selected AACR conferences.
• Helping to shape special sessions and briefings to educate Members of Congress and their staff about important pending legislation and issues affecting cancer research.
• Attending and reporting on relevant scientific and science policy meetings and conferences.
• Providing support to the Director, Science and Health Policy, on a wide array of policy initiatives and assignments.

Performing the essential functions of the position and other related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• Knowledge of cancer and cancer-related biomedical research; familiarity with tobacco and cancer-related topics and broader prevention and public health-related issues, as well as the disparities that exist in preventing and treating cancer preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate to scientific and lay audiences.
• A demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, build evidence-based arguments for policy proposals, and bring conflicting points of view to consensus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• High degree of judgment.
• A self-starter with creativity, initiative and demonstrated problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to function productively when unsupervised and as part of team
• Ability to multi-task and work under rapidly developing deadlines and priorities.

Education and Training: 

• PhD, or other advanced degree in a science-related field preferred. 

Computer Knowledge: 

• PC, word processing, PowerPoint, spreadsheet, and database programs. 

Work Experience: 

• Three to five years of relevant experience in a public policy environment and general knowledge of the federal policy process.