Research and Program Manager, Better Bricks

Job Description

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite 3 or more days a week), subject to operational need.

Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

This is a three-year fixed term position with the possibility of renewal dependent on programmatic need and budgetary availability.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here (https://sustainability.stanford.edu/) .

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment (https://woods.stanford.edu/) works to advance global sustainability through new knowledge and practical, fair solutions to pressing environmental challenges. As part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the Woods Institute provides an interdisciplinary research hub for scholars from all seven schools at Stanford. Offering targeted research incentives as well as convening, education, and leadership programs, the Woods Institute supports faculty, researchers, and students as they investigate and advance solutions to critical climate, environment, and sustainability challenges. Working on campus and around the globe, the Woods Institute and its hosted centers and programs combine cutting edge scholarship, diverse partnerships, and deep engagement across sectors and disciplines to advance just, practical solutions for people and the planet.

Better Bricks (https://hph.stanford.edu/focal\_areas/pollution\_health/re-designing-brick-kilns) is a flagship research initiative of the Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health (https://hph.stanford.edu/) , based at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and led by Dr. Steve Luby. The initiative brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers and partners across South Asia to develop, rigorously evaluate, and scale practical solutions that improve both human health and the environment. Initially launched in Bangladesh 14 years ago, Better Bricks focuses on transforming brick manufacturing - one of the region's largest sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions - through evidence-based innovations that reduce emissions, improve air quality, protect health, and strengthen livelihoods. The program is now scaling its Zigzag kiln intervention across Bangladesh, expanding to India, and developing globally applicable approaches for measuring emissions from brick kilns, with the potential to reduce millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions while improving the health of millions of people.

Better Bricks is seeking a Research and Program Manager who can contribute independently as a scientist while providing operational leadership for a complex, multidisciplinary research portfolio and serving as a strategic partner to the Director, Dr. Steve Luby, to expand and scale this innovative program of research and impact. The successful candidate will oversee the implementation, coordination, and strategic growth of the Better Bricks portfolio, manage key partnerships, contribute scientific and technical expertise, and lead day-to-day operations across multiple projects and collaborators. The ideal candidate has a PhD in environmental health or a related field, significant professional experience working in South Asia - ideally Bangladesh and India - and a deep understanding of the region's research, government, and implementation landscape. They will have demonstrated success managing complex international research programs involving multiple partners and be a collaborative, highly organized manager who thrives in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment, is comfortable navigating shifting priorities, and is passionate about translating science into measurable global impact.

Your Responsibilities will include:

• Partner with the Director to define strategic research priorities for Better Bricks and translate the program’s vision into action, ensuring alignment across projects, study sites, partners, donor expectations, and teams.

• Manage 2-4 large international subawards of over $2 million total to partners in Bangladesh and India. Ensure partner performance, fiscal responsibility, and impact through proactive communication, deliverable tracking, and budget oversight.

• Supervise the design and implementation of study protocols, ensure compliance with IRB, data governance, and international regulatory standards.

• Oversee scientific operations, including field logistics, procurement, staffing, training, and quality assurance across study sites.

• Develop and oversee data management systems to ensure high-quality, consistent, and secure data collection, management, and sharing across multiple study sites and collaborating partners.

• Oversee day-to-day program operations, establishing management systems and identifying opportunities for process improvement. Track timelines and deliverables; trouble-shoot and flag issues to the Director if projects are stalled or delayed.

• Serve as the primary liaison with Stanford administrative partners at the Center for Human and Planetary Health to proactively advance administrative processes, resolve operational issues, and ensure projects, personnel actions, contracts, payments, and other key activities move forward efficiently.

• Maintain program-level budgets, timelines, and deliverables; develop projections, monitor progress and ensure accountability across research teams. Recommend budget adjustments to the Director.

• Build and nurture partnerships with government agencies, academic collaborators, NGOs, and community stakeholders to enhance the program’s scientific and policy impact. Organize and lead regular meetings with international project teams.

• Lead or contribute to grant writing, fundraising, and donor reporting activities to support the long-term sustainability of the research portfolio.

• Draft peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, presentations, webpage language, and public communication materials for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Along with the Director, be a spokesperson for Better Bricks when opportunities arise.

• Provide mentorship and professional development to junior researchers and field teams. Supervise student researchers.

• Support the implementation of new Better Bricks initiatives, including the development of an Action Lab course, commercialization of carbon credits generated through zigzag kiln emissions reductions, and other innovative efforts that expand the program's scientific, policy, and financial impact.

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed below, our preferred qualifications include:

• PhD in environmental science, public health, environmental engineering, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience leading or managing large, multi-site research programs.

• Proven ability to translate scientific vision into operational strategy, aligning people, projects, and resources toward shared research goals.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; ability to liaise with the Director and support ongoing needs across research partners, government agencies, and international counterparts.

• Strong organizational and leadership skills, including budget oversight, personnel supervision, and cross-functional coordination.

• Strong quantitative and analytical background, with some experience in epidemiologic, environmental, or statistical modeling .

• Experience developing and overseeing research study designs, protocols, and compliance documentation (e.g., IRB, data use agreements).

• Demonstrated success in grant writing, report preparation, and scientific communication for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other research management tools for documentation, planning, and presentations.

• South Asian language proficiency – ideally Bengali, Hindi, or Urdu.

Core Competencies

• Strategic planning and research program leadership

• Operational and project management excellence

• Stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration

• Scientific and analytical acumen (environmental health, epidemiology, exposure science)

• Strong written, verbal, and data communication skills

• Commitment to research ethics, equity, and global health impact

Working Conditions

• Occasional evening and weekend hours

• International and domestic travel

The expected pay range for this position is $119,138- $153,488 per annum.