Research Project Manager - Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities

The Pennsylvania State University • Chicago, IL

4d

About The Position

The Research Project Manager oversees and advises on research project operations including study methodologies, protocol development, project deliverables and timelines, data management and analysis plans, and financial administration; provides guidance and oversight to research team members; and serves as the project point of contact with faculty, sponsors, and leadership. The Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities (CAHE-RUC) is a unique academic and community partnership committed to the comprehensive evaluation and implementation of evidence-based, community-level strategies to improve health outcomes for rural and underserved communities. With locations in Chicago and Hershey CAHE-RUC tackles a variety of complex public health and health system issues that require multi-disciplinary and multi-methodological approaches to achieve outcomes that benefit individuals and whole communities. The Pennsylvania State College of Medicine (and its academic partners, Penn State Health and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center) are committed to enhancing the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all. Penn State College of Medicine is part of an academic medical group that also includes: Penn State Health, a multi-hospital health system serving patients and communities across 29 counties in central Pennsylvania.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of cancer prevention, implementation science, and core public health principles, with experience in quality improvement and project management.
• Strong understanding of social determinants of health, including barriers to care at both community and health system levels.
• Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems
• Ability to function as part of a collaborative team while demonstrating initiative to achieve project’s goals and advance the Center’s mission.
• Strategic thinking skills including effecting planning, setting goals, monitoring progress, tracking results, and making appropriate adjustments to plans based on circumstances.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work simultaneously on multiple initiatives, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
• Effective organizational and time management skills with a high degree of attention to detail.
• Excellent written communications skills for grant proposals, reports, manuscripts, publications, and community education and communication materials.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills to facilitate multicultural, multi-generational community meetings, committee meetings, and programming, as well as one-on-one conversations with community leaders, funders, and decision-makers.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
• Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution
• Familiar with and prior experience using Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Master's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, and the National Sex Offender Registry Clearance (NSOR).
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• 3+ years of professional experience in public health.
• 3+ years of experience in research project management.
• Experience working with rural and underserved populations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and Implement Center’s Research Projects
• Work directly with Research Director and leadership on key local state and national initiatives and research projects.
• Work directly with health system leadership and staff to implement evidence-based interventions within their health systems.
• Oversee and advise on research projects and investigative studies from study initiation to conclusion including study design, data collection and management plans, and IRB submissions.
• Develop surveys and interview guides using conceptual frameworks to ensure structured, theory-driven data collection.
• Design research project work-flow processes and project infrastructure; delegate, prioritize, and review research tasks in order to achieve research project goals and improve results.
• Participate in established and future research projects and assist with developing or amending study protocols, developing data collection tools, and building databases.
• Participate in the dissemination of program data, outcomes, and impact.
• Oversee data collection, data management and reporting methods; interpret and present complex data findings to department executives, external organizations, sponsors, and the larger research community.
• Conducts comprehensive literature reviews to support manuscript development, grant proposals, and the identification of innovative evaluation strategies.
• Research, evaluate, and advise investigators on research trends and other relevant resources.
• Grant and Publication Management
• Assist in the development and writing of grant proposals
• Support and lead the writing of manuscripts, and publications.
• Prepare grant proposal and manage all components of the grant submission process, including identifying application requirements, coordinating responsibilities with the Principal Investigator (PI), and ensuring timely completion of all materials.
• Interface with external collaborators to direct and facilitate multi-site and collaborative research.
• Provide guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with government regulations and University research policies
• Collaborate with team and leadership
• Build strategic partnerships among members, strengthen research initiatives and projects, and support financial planning.
• Provide training and guidance to program staff and interns.
• May supervise and provide guidance to one to two program staff including hiring, development, and performance management.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Center’s programs and contribute to planning.

Benefits

• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• robust retirement plans
• substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level