Convergent Research
Research & Scientific Services
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Convergent Research is a nonprofit science studio best known for pioneering the Focused Research Organization, or FRO. We architect pivotal infrastructure that removes bottlenecks to breakthrough scientific research.
FROs are a new operating model for science that enables rapid iteration cycles and high-throughput learning. Convergent secures funding and provides an operational backbone for counterfactual R&D, creating space for scientists to do what they do best. FRO teams are agile, creative, and risk-tolerant. They make fast progress because they start—and stay—focused.
As Convergent’s portfolio grows, so does the complexity behind it. We manage multiple applicant pipelines, selection processes, reviewer workflows, founder-facing programs, internal initiatives, and cross-functional projects—often all at once and across a distributed organization.
Better systems and better information can now meaningfully increase our impact. We’re looking for someone to help build the operating infrastructure behind Convergent’s next stage of growth.
We are looking for a Program Operations Manager who can turn complexity into clear, scalable systems.
You’ll combine excellent project-management instincts with a builder’s mindset, creating the workflows, tools, documentation, metrics, and accountability structures that allow Convergent’s programs to operate effectively as we grow.
Many of the systems you’ll own do not exist yet. You won’t be inheriting a mature reporting environment or a perfectly documented operating playbook. You’ll help determine what we should track, how information should be captured, and how data can help us make better decisions.
This is not a traditional PMO role, and a PMP certification is not required. We are looking for someone who has built strong project-management skills in a startup or similarly entrepreneurial environment—someone comfortable working from a blank page, navigating ambiguity, and introducing enough structure to help teams move quickly without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
Receive and store applications consistently and securely.
Move applicants through clearly defined review and selection stages.
Coordinate reviewers, decisions, and applicant communications.
Capture feedback in a structured way.
Preserve a complete and useful historical record.
Report on applicant volume, pipeline health, timing, and outcomes across programs.
We are less interested in formal project-management credentials than in demonstrated evidence that you can build and run effective operations in a dynamic environment.
Strong candidates will likely bring:
Approximately 4–8 years of experience in startup operations, project management, business operations, sales enablement, program operations, or a related role.
Experience managing multiple concurrent, cross-functional projects with competing priorities.
Experience building or significantly improving operational processes rather than only following established procedures.
Experience working in a fully remote or highly distributed organization, with strong habits around documentation and asynchronous communication.
Experience administering or designing systems in tools such as Notion, Asana, Coda, Smartsheet, Monday.com, or similar platforms.
Strong judgment about when to add structure, when to automate, and when a simple process is better than a complicated system.
An interest in science and technology and enthusiasm for helping ambitious research organizations succeed.
Experience with workflow automation, integrations, CRM or applicant-tracking systems, or database design is helpful but not required.
Developed a strong understanding of Convergent’s core programs, stakeholders, goals, and current operational landscape.
Taken ownership of several concurrent projects and established clear plans, reporting, accountability, and follow-through.
Assessed existing applicant and program workflows and defined priorities for improvement.
Built reliable systems for managing applicants and selection workflows across multiple programs.
Launched initial dashboards or reporting that create useful visibility for leadership and program owners.
Established a strong foundation of documentation, templates, and operating practices that teams can use consistently.
Established meaningful operational metrics that leadership and program owners use to guide decisions.
Implemented process improvements that reduce manual effort, eliminate avoidable bottlenecks, and increase consistency.
Created durable, scalable systems for applicant pipelines, review processes, program delivery, and cross-functional project management.
Built institutional knowledge that makes Convergent’s operating practices visible, repeatable, and easier to improve.
Helped Convergent scale its programs without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Become a trusted operating partner to colleagues across the organization—someone teams rely on to turn ambiguous priorities into systems that work.
A rare chance to build institutional architecture for frontier science and work with some of the smartest and most talented experts from different fields
Competitive Salary: The salary range for this role is $111,000 - 159,000 Convergent uses a consistent compensation philosophy across all roles. We benchmark salaries to San Francisco market data and aim for the grade midpoint, which for this role is approximately $159,000. We then apply a geographic adjustment if an employee is located outside of SF, NYC, or Boston, For example, in Denver, CO the midpoint for this role would be around $135k, and in Eugene, OR it would be $119k. We also maintain a minimum of 70% of the SF midpoint, which is reflected in the range floor. This structure helps us keep pay transparent, consistent, and equitable across locations while reflecting local market conditions.
Up to a 6% 401k match because future-you deserves comfort
Top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance—majority of options are fully covered for you and your dependents. Stay healthy, my friend
Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, long- and short-term disability insurance, as well as voluntary supplemental insurance options
19 holidays (including a full week off at the end of the year—yes, we enforce it)
3 weeks PTO with tenure increases, with separate allotments for sick and parental leave
Generous fertility benefits and childcare reimbursement—because tiny humans are a big deal
Education and professional development benefits
Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities (treat yourself to climbing shoes or Calm.com—no judgment)
Quarterly offsite team retreats and additional opportunities to meet your teammates in person
Convergent Research aims to help fill a structural gap in today’s R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D.
At Convergent Research, we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We believe in hiring individuals based on their unique talents, not on race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or our company policies.
We are more than a proud Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our goal is to foster a healthy, safe, and respectful environment where all employees are valued and treated with dignity. Harassment of any kind is not tolerated here. #LI-remote #LI-KP1
After you apply, unlock the direct contact details of the people who actually make the call. A quick follow-up makes you 5x more likely to land an interview.
Marcus Rivera
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