Careers
Join our team
Do you want to make a difference? Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, more pulmonary fibrosis research is being funded and more people are aware of the disease. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation strives to create an atmosphere that draws talented, motivated, passionate, and results-driven individuals who are able to adapt to a rapidly changing and fast-paced environment.
Inclusion, equity, and diversity are fundamental to fulfilling our vision of building a better workplace and better world. From our hiring practices to the employee journey, we embrace and celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds that each individual brings to the workplace. We encourage diverse points of view which allows us to develop innovative solutions. The PFF strives to foster an environment where our employees feel respected, valued, and empowered, and our team members are at the forefront of helping us promote and sustain an inclusive workforce that works for all.
For questions or to submit your resume, please contact Mary Kiener, Senior Director, Human Resources and Administration at hr@pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by brothers Albert Rose and Michael Rosenzweig, PhD. Their sister Claire died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and they were both later diagnosed with the disease. Their goal was to build an organization dedicated to identifying effective treatments and providing support for those living with the disease. This vision shaped the PFF to become what it is today – the leading patient advocacy organization for the PF community. The PFF continues to be the foremost resource for our community by raising awareness, providing disease education, and driving research to find a cure.
Vision for the PFF Registry:
The PFF’s vision for the Registry program is to drive PF research by using the Registry as a tool to answer key research questions. The Foundation is uniquely positioned to identify and address critical questions that are not fully being answered through other mechanisms. For example, what are best practices in care for PF patients? How will new drug approvals and multi-drug therapy impact patients in the real world? What endpoints could make it easier and faster to run clinical trials and explore new disease treatments? The PFF intends to lead research and publications exploring these types of questions using the Registry as a resource. Additionally, the PFF Registry will be available for researchers to use to investigate other research topics. The Medical Adviser for the PFF Registry will play a key role in realizing the PFF’s vision for the Registry.
The near-term plans for the PFF Registry program include:
- Incorporating new active clinical data
- More comprehensively incorporating stakeholders (patients, researchers, healthcare providers and corporate partners) into the design and future of the Registry program
- Ensuring the design of the Registry enables the PFF and other researchers to answer critical research questions
- Augmenting outreach efforts to the PF community to increase engagement with the program
- Creating a business plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Registry program
Senior Medical Advisor, PFF Registry
Job Summary:
The Senior Medical Advisor, PFF Registry, will oversee and guide the scientific approach for the PFF Registry. This comprehensive observational research program enables investigators to discover new ways to improve care and outcomes for patients living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF).
The PFF Registry program currently comprises two distinct databases that track the care of patients with broadly defined interstitial lung diseases. The PFF Care Center Registry collected clinical data, biosamples, images, and patient-reported outcomes from patients with PF across the PFF Care Centers from 2016 to 2022. These data are being used by researchers to answer important questions on PF, including improving diagnosis and treatment. The PFF Community Registry began in 2022 and offers an opportunity for patients living with PF, lung transplant patients who have had PF, as well as their caregivers, and family members, to self-report information to help us move toward improved outcomes.
The upcoming goals of the PFF Registry program include adding new active clinical data to be available to support relevant PF research questions, augmenting outreach to the PF community to engage with the program, and incorporating stakeholders (patients, researchers, healthcare providers and corporate partners) into the Registry program. This role will lead the development of the scientific strategy for the Registry program, including ancillary study development and use of the Registry for research questions.
Qualifications
- A doctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or medical field, extensive experience in medical research, and a proven track record of leading and managing research projects
- Experience with multi-center registries in pulmonary fibrosis
Time Commitment & Reporting Structure:
- Will devote 20-25% of time to the PFF and PFF Registry
- Report to the PFF Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Responsibilities: - Participate as a member of the PFF Registry Steering Committee, and in the PFF Registry Scientific Review Committee
- Collaborate with the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Clinical Affairs & Quality, PFF CMO, and PFF Registry Steering Committee to develop strategy on research, operations, and finance that includes measurable goals and objectives for the PFF Registry; monitor and revise final strategy as needed
- Work closely with the SVP of Clinical Affairs & Quality to oversee governance (including the Steering Committee and Scientific Review Committee), strategy, clinical content, and other aspects of the PFF Registry as needed; be responsive to requests for review, comment, and/or approval
- Contribute to the engagement strategy to recruit and retain participants in the PFF Community Registry
- Collaborate with the Senior Medical Advisor, Care Center Network (CCN) and SVP of Clinical Affairs and Quality to cultivate relationships with CCN, including relationship management of PFF Care Center Registry principal investigators
- Develop and cultivate relationships with the larger scientific community to encourage use of PFF Registry data for research
- Work with the President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Development Officer, SVP of Clinical Affairs & Quality, and VP of Corporate Partnerships on outreach and relationship management of corporate, foundation, and individual donors; travel may be required
- Assist in business development efforts and attend meetings related to launching and managing corporate research initiatives based on PFF Registry data.
- Attend PFF Registry staff meetings, including but not limited to weekly calls with the CMO, COO, and SVP of Clinical Affairs & Quality, and also weekly operations calls with the SVP of Clinical Affairs & Quality and DCC, as needed
- Attend PFF Staff Meetings, including, but not limited to, the weekly Medical Team meetings to provide scientific guidance and further develop and enhance existing programmatic offerings
- Attend PFF events, including, but not limited to, speaking at conferences and donor and patient events; travel may be required
Please submit a current CV and a cover letter for this position to: hr@pulmonaryfibrosis.org. Include in the cover letter your vision for the PFF Registry program for the next five years and relevant experience that will allow you to be successful in the role.
Reporting Relationship: Senior Director, Advocacy and Programs
Job Location: Chicago, IL. At least one day per week in Chicago office, with option for other days to be worked remotely.
Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to support groups, events, and conferences.
Description of Duties: As the Foundation's Coordinator, Volunteer Programs you will have all of the responsibilities and authority customarily attendant to such a position, including, but not limited to, the following:
PFF Support Group Leader Network
- Ensure the effective operations of the Support Group Leader Network (SGLN) which includes, but is not limited to:
- Maintain and develop relationships with volunteer support group leaders, including joining support group meetings and acting as primary contact for support group updates
- Assist with execution of SGLN quarterly teleconferences and training
- Assist with the marketing and promotion of the SGLN
- Update support group information for the PFF website and database
- Act as staff liaison for the PFF Lung Transplant Community Support Group
- Collect SGLN data to generate reports
Leanne Storch Support Group Fund
- Administer grant program which includes, but is not limited to:
- Develop application, program materials, and marketing of Fund
- Select members for the Review Working Group and facilitate Working Group’s review of applications
- Manage the process of approval, distribution, and reporting of funds
- Stewardship of grantees
PFF Ambassador Program
- Ensure the effective operations of the PFF Ambassador program which includes, but is not limited to:
- Maintain and develop relationships with volunteer PFF Ambassadors
- Receive event requests and coordinate PFF Ambassador attendance at events
- Plan and book all travel for PFF Ambassadors
- Oversee payment of PFF Ambassadors’ out-of-pocket expenses and stipends
- Assist with the marketing and promotion of the PFF Ambassador program
- Maintain promotional calendar for Ambassador events and facilitate event promotions via established communications’ channels
- Assist with coordinating Ambassador training and monthly Ambassador teleconferences
- Assist with annual process of identifying and onboarding new PFF Ambassadors
- Travel to some PFF Ambassador events as a PFF staff representative
Other Responsibilities
- Coordinate shipping of educational materials to volunteers, community members, and medical centers
- Coordinate volunteer engagement for events including PFF Hill Day, PFF Summit, and PFF Annual Volunteer Meeting
- Coordinate requests for volunteer participation in stakeholder opportunities, such as steering committees and focus groups
- Assist in the coverage of the PFF Help Center
- Work closely with the Senior Director, Advocacy and Programs as well as other members of the PFF Programs team, to carry out the mission and objectives of the Foundation as approved by the Board of Directors
- Maintain positive working relationships as a team player through problem solving issues, speaking positively about others, listening attentively, and observing the policies outlined in the PFF personnel handbook
- Work well as a team member with positive and timely written and verbal communication
- Perform all other duties as assigned
Position Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree
- Written and spoken fluency in Spanish preferred
- One to two (1-2) years of progressively responsible experience and success in program development and implementation within a nonprofit environment preferred
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds
- Superior self-management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects with a moderate level of supervision
- High degree of creativity, energy, initiative, and attention to detail
- Deadline-driven, incorporating effective planning and time management strategies
- Effective verbal and written communications skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Drive
Please submit a current CV and a cover letter for this position to: hr@pulmonaryfibrosis.org.