Program Fellow, Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative

The Opportunity

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is seeking an accomplished scientist with expertise in condensed matter physics and quantum materials to join its Science team as a Program Fellow within the Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative. This role offers a unique opportunity to help launch the next phase of the Initiative, which supports discovery-driven research on quantum materials—solid materials characterized by novel quantum phases of matter and exotic cooperative behavior of electrons. Reporting to the Initiative Program Director and collaborating with the EPiQS team, the Program Fellow will play an important role in shaping the Initiative’s grant portfolio, advancing its strategic goals, and engaging the broader research community through a strict two‑year, fixed‑term appointment.

This role is based in Palo Alto, California, at the foundation’s main office. We operate under a hybrid work model that combines flexibility with meaningful in-person collaboration. Staff are required to work and reside within a reasonable driving distance of the Palo Alto office, and this role will work onsite in Palo Alto a minimum of four days a month. Additional on-site presence is required during the weeks of the May and November board meetings and periodically throughout the year as business needs require. A fully remote work arrangement is not available for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Help design and run Initiative grant solicitations. Working closely with the Initiative team, the Fellow will:
  • Draft the call for proposals, define application requirements, and ensure the submission process runs smoothly.
  • Answer applicants’ questions in a timely manner.
  • Help with outreach to ensure broad and inclusive participation.
  • Help recruit expert reviewers, coordinate peer review, manage panels, and synthesize evaluations.
  • Communicate decisions and provide feedback to applicants.
  • Set up grants awarded through solicitations.
  • Help track progress and impact, and incorporate lessons learned into subsequent solicitations.
• Become deeply familiar with the Initiative’s overall strategic framework and contribute to its implementation.
• Maintain solid knowledge of relevant fields and emerging trends.
• Contribute to activities beyond grantmaking to help drive change in the Initiative’s focus areas (e.g., convening, facilitating, networking, communicating).
• Help improve and implement effective monitoring and evaluation plans for the Initiative.
• Coordinate with internal staff to complete grantmaking and monitoring processes.
• This position involves light to moderate travel, typically no more than three trips per year.

Experience and Qualifications

While we understand that there are multiple paths to developing specific expertise, our ideal candidate will likely have the following:

• PhD in condensed matter physics, with a substantive research expertise in quantum materials.
• Additional expertise in another area of quantum science (e.g., quantum information, quantum sensing, quantum optics) is a plus.
• Five-plus years of relevant post-PhD work is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading a research program in an academic, industry, non-profit or government setting is a plus. Demonstrated capability of obtaining competitive research grants is preferred.
• Solid understanding of the research enterprise at major universities and other leading research institutions in the U.S.
  

Competencies

• Demonstrated strategic planning skills, with the ability to identify and rigorously analyze and evaluate new opportunities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with a proven ability to set realistic goals, manage multiple priorities, and drive projects to completion.
• Demonstrated strong teamwork and people skills, with the ability to develop productive relationships with colleagues, grantees, stakeholders, and others in a respectful and collaborative manner.
• Experience in meeting organization and facilitation.
• A disposition to get things done and a can-do spirit.
• Personal motivation to support the foundation’s mission and goals.
• An ability to view the big picture and long-term goals while keeping in mind tactical short-term ramifications.
• Exceptional communication skills including listening, speaking, and writing.
• Flexible, creative and positive approach to problem solving in a collaborative team environment; comfort with ambiguity and productive tensions.

Attributes

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following foundation attributes, which describe how we strive to do our work with each other and our partners:

• Committed to Excellence
• Passionate
• Collegial
• Open and Honest
• Humble and Self-Aware

Compensation and Benefits

The Moore Foundation provides a generous total compensation package that includes a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits to support your life, health, and well-being.

The expected salary range for this position is between $125,000 and $135,000 per year. Our job titles and salary ranges may span more than one career level, and the salary offered to a candidate will be determined based on factors such as the position's scope and responsibilities, job-related knowledge and skill set, depth of experience, certifications and/or degrees, and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation.

Our health benefits include employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents; a mental wellness program; paid parental leave; employer-paid disability and life insurance benefits; and pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.

Other benefits include 6 weeks of paid time off per year and 10 paid holidays; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a foundation contribution of up to 10% and a Roth 401(k) option; a matching gifts program for qualifying charitable contributions; hybrid work arrangements and a home office stipend; and a commuter benefits program.

To support you in achieving your career goals, the foundation offers a professional development program to all benefits-eligible employees that includes an annual financial benefit of $5,000 and paid time off to participate in educational programs.