Vice President, Natural Sciences

John Templeton Foundation seeks to recruit a Vice President, Natural Sciences Department.

Templeton believed that scientific research, especially on fundamental scientific questions, often has theological and philosophical relevance, and therefore can be a catalyst for theological and spiritual progress. He was optimistic about human ability to learn more about the fundamental nature of reality. He believed that intellectual humility is essential for making progress in science, theology and philosophy and he surrounded himself with scientists who were interested in exploring the deep implications of cutting edge scientific research. He expected the scientific enterprise to yield insights that would be relevant to theologians, philosophers and all kinds of religious communities. And he hoped that by engaging with the results of serious scientific research, religious communities would come to appreciate the value of scientific research for religious belief and practice. Previously, the Foundation managed its portfolio of grants in the Natural Sciences through two departments—Life Sciences & Genetics, and Math & Physical Sciences.

These have now combined into a single Natural Sciences department with the aim of unifying the approach of the natural sciences portfolios. The Foundation’s investments in the natural sciences have spanned topics as diverse as the nature of black holes and quantum entanglement to the extended evolutionary synthesis and the origins of life. The Foundation seeks to increase the impact of its natural sciences funding by focusing on a few key priorities and by developing a strategy for funding natural sciences that will pursue deeper questions about the philosophical or even theological implications of the funded work.

The Vice President for Natural Sciences will serve on the Program Leadership Team, working closely with the President to develop strategic alignment across the Foundation’s funding priorities in Science and the Big Questions. The Vice President will be charged with integrating the two departments (Life Sciences & Genetics, and Math & Physical Sciences) and thinking about the scope of work in natural sciences in light of other funding priorities in Science and the Big Questions.

The Vice President will be mindful of how the strategic shape of the Natural Sciences Department aligns with Templeton’s philosophical vision and intent. The position is based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

The Vice President for Natural Sciences will be charged with the following overarching goals and responsibilities:

• Develop a strategy to identify and support interdisciplinary scientific research, which yields discoveries of scientific import and opens possibilities for theological and philosophical engagement.
  
• As part of the Program Leadership team, provide strategic support to the President on matters related to donor intent and other organizational issues that enhance the Foundation’s ability to thoughtfully execute its mission and engagement.
  
• Work with other co-funders with similar funding goals to explore synergies and shared grantmaking opportunities.
  
• Work with Natural Science Department staff to develop, refine, and implement the Foundation’s strategic plan goals for Natural Sciences.
  
• Oversee and promote professional development of Natural Sciences personnel.
  

To learn more, or apply, click here