Murphy joins the not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2008 by the United States Olympic Committee, the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), having been a programme office for the Sports Diplomacy Division at the U.S. Department of State since 2009.

He had combined that role for several years working as an anti-doping officer for International Doping Tests & Management, the global leader in drugs testing.

The Colorado Springs-based PCC claims to promote the integrity and fairness of sport by funding the majority of the world’s anti-doping research.

Murphy will oversee organisational strategy and daily operations, including budgeting, fundraising, business development, grant administration, scientific outreach and communication with the PCC Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board.

"As an organisation, we are thrilled to have found someone with Ryan’s experience who can hit the ground running," said Jon Coyles, chairperson of the PCC Board of Governors and vice-president of Drug, Health and Safety Programs at the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.

"From his work at the Department of State to his efforts as a Doping Control Officer, you can look at what he’s done for sport throughout his career and know that he will further deepen the impact of the PCC."

The PCC claims to award more than $4 million (£3 million/€3.5 million) in grants annually and are affiliated with more than 50 laboratories worldwide.

"Research paves the way for all of the best practices in anti-doping," said Dr. Matt Fedoruk, co-chair of the PCC Scientific Advisory Board and Chief Science Officer of the USADA.

"We have a duty to protect clean athletes, and we in the field are constantly looking for new ways to do that.

"Ryan’s knowledge of grant administration and his deep understanding of the sports world showed all of us at the PCC that he is the ideal person to further our mission."

Murphy replaces Michael Pearlmutter, who left the PCC in May after serving as executive director for seven years.

He is now the executive at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation USA.

Among Pearlmutter’s accomplishments was establishing a partnership with the World Anti-Doping Agency for a multi-million-dollar joint fund, with matching from the International Olympic Committee.

"I’ve worked my whole career to share the benefits of sport, and I’m thrilled to leverage that experience to protect clean athletes," Murphy, who officially starts his new position today, said.

"From athletes to fans, everyone involved deserves to know the playing field is level.

"The PCC will continue to do its part to preserve the integrity of athletic contests all over the globe by supporting the world’s best anti-doping research."