Open Science Operations Lead

The role

You will support and extend Astera's open science strategy through program operations and external partnership management. You will work closely with the Head of Open Science to operationalize initiatives and serve as a point of contact for the community.

What you will do

• Support the Head of Open Science in day-to-day operations and tracking initiatives
• Develop and implement internal processes to train employees on open science policy
• Maintain systems for intake tracking, decision logs, and meeting notes
• Identify operational gaps and propose workflow improvements
• Serve as the first point of contact for internal inquiries about open science policy
• Act as a primary contact for individuals pitching open science tools or initiatives
• Conduct initial screening conversations to assess proposal alignment
• Act as a liaison between Astera and the open science community
• Attend meetings and events on behalf of the Head of Open Science
• Support hiring for open science-related roles and onboard new team members

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• 3-6 years of experience in roles involving project management, program coordination, or operations
• Experience in research support, community management, or similar work within open science, academia, nonprofits, or technology-adjacent environments
• Demonstrated familiarity with open science concepts and ecosystems
• Strong operational skills, including stakeholder management
• Excellent communication skills
• High judgment and discretion when representing the organization or leadership externally
• Self-directed, high-agency approach to work

Nice to have

• Experience interfacing with researchers, tool builders, or funders in open science or research infrastructure contexts
• Prior experience operationalizing institutional policies through training, documents, or other materials
• Prior experience conducting interviews, evaluating proposals, or supporting hiring processes
• Comfort synthesizing complex information into clear summaries and recommendations
• Experience working closely with senior leadership or serving in a coordinating or “right-hand” role
• Strong interest in the future of scientific institutions, incentives, and knowledge production

About the company

Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward a better future. They have committed a $3.5B endowment to grants, investments, and in-house research programs.