Specialist, Scientific Programs - Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

Title: Specialist, Scientific Programs - Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

Unit: Business Affairs

FLSA Status: Full time, exempt

Location: This position is located on-site at the APTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA

About The Foundation
The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (Foundation) is the only national nonprofit solely dedicated to funding physical therapy research and promising researchers through grants, scholarships, and fellowships. We fund research and develop researchers to optimize movement and health. The Foundation is an affiliate of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Foundation staff are employed by APTA and receive the same employee benefits and adhere to APTA policies and procedures.

Summary

We are seeking a motivated and team-oriented individual to join us in supporting scholarships and grant-making efforts. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to programs that support the educational and research development of the next generation of highly capable, successful physical therapy researchers and advance effective evidence-based physical therapy practice.

In this role, you will support the day-to-day operations of our scholarship and research grant programs, helping to ensure they are efficient, effective, and responsive to the needs of applicants, awardees, and reviewers. You'll assist with application and award processes, coordinate communications, track program timelines, and support efforts to streamline and enhance our grantmaking systems.

The ideal candidate brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit. A background in research, grant management, or the physical therapy profession is a plus.

Essential Functions

• Is responsible for the day-to-day operation and continuous improvement of the Foundations ProposalCentral.com platform to ensure the accuracy of its data and functionality to support program and organizational goals.
• Provides support to the Manager, Scientific Programs throughout each program application, review, and award cycles.
• Responds to inquiries from applicants and provides guidance and troubleshooting during the submission process.
• Supports the review and awards process, including documentation, communications, and reporting throughout the cycles and at year-end.
• Assists with planning, implementation, and evaluation of funding programs and participants special initiatives that broaden and enhance funding opportunities.
• Performs other duties related to the scientific programs, supporting the overall success and advancement of the Foundations mission.

Staff Expectations

• Upholds and fosters staff values.
• Complies with all APTA policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned to foster achievement of association priorities.

Qualifications

• A bachelors degree in relevant field preferred; advanced degree in a related area is a plus.
• A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, preferably including research grant or scholarship program administration research grant administration experience is strongly preferred
• Training or certification in project management (formal or on-the-job) preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing, copyediting, and proofreading using MS Office to effectively support applicants and internal stakeholders.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data import/export from database platforms and report generation.
• Familiarity with research funding platforms such as ProposalCentral (or similar systems) is preferred.
• Able to work independently as well as on a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to providing clear and responsive support to applicants, awardees, and reviewers.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• A collaborative team player who thrives in a mission-driven and fast-paced environment.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 10% - local and national.

How To Apply

Please send resume and cover letter, including salary requirements , when applying.

Principals only; no agencies; no phone calls, please. Candidates selected to participate in an interview will be contacted by Human Resources.

The American Physical Therapy Association is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

APTA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information, please visit e-verify.uscis.gov.

APTA is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and invites and welcomes applicants with diversity of experience, mindset, and skills to add value to APTA and our staff community.

About APTA

Do you want to contribute to an organization dedicated to improving societal health? Would you like to collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about making a difference? Are you excited to work in a new state-of-the-art building designed to encourage movement, participation, and employee health?

Then you want to work for APTA!

APTA is the trusted leader for the physical therapy profession, representing more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students. Our approximately 150 employees support the associations mission to build a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society. Learn more in our Association Profile.