She received a PhD in 1985 from Yale University's Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, where she used nuclear magnetic resonance to study the effects of stress on metabolism and gene expression.

Returning to the United States, Jones worked briefly with National Institute of Health's Fogarty International Center.

She then moved to USAID (1988–1995) where she worked in technical and management positions with the Science and Technology and the Asia Near East Bureaus.

She directed the Division of Technical Resources where she was responsible for a portfolio that included policy and programs in the areas of science and technology, agriculture, health, education and environment.

In 1996 President of the United States Bill Clinton nominated Jones to be associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and, after Senate confirmation, she held this post until 1999.