Research Scientist 2

University of New Mexico • Albuquerque, NM

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC) is seeking a Research Scientist 2 (RS2) for its Behavioral Measurement and Population Science (BMPS) Shared Resource team.
Job overview: BMPS provides an exciting opportunity to the incoming RS2 to develop broad-based research skills through collaboration with foremost cancer researchers at a premier cancer research institution serving the needs of the unique and diverse communities in New Mexico. Previous research knowledge and/or experience related to cancer is highly desired but not required. Important to our team and our work is for the successful candidate to demonstrate genuine energy and commitment to learn and contribute in this environment and to fit comfortably with our existing team.
BMPS overview: UNMCCC Shared Resources promote research efforts and speed the adoption of innovative methods and technologies that advance cancer research at UNM. For BMPS, this means supporting the development and implementation of cancer-focused population science and patient-centered research through a dedicated research infrastructure.
BMPS team members, including the RS2, support a variety of research projects led by UNMCCC faculty. Faculty members serve as principal investigators (PIs) for these projects and hire BMPS team members to perform specific research-related tasks (see below for details about these tasks). In this model, BMPS team members are assigned to projects at a percentage of their total weekly hours, depending on the needs of the project. With this work environment and tempo in mind, it is critical that in addition to the specific research-related duties described below, the RS2 can juggle competing demands through appropriate time management and has the soft skills necessary to navigate efficiently and effectively between different PIs, teams, roles, expectations, timelines, and priorities that compete for attention and effort on a daily basis.
The vast majority of studies that BMPS supports are cancer control-focused population science research projects. Previous studies that BMPS has contributed to span the cancer care continuum: from examining barriers to obtaining appropriate cancer screenings to designing a community-based cancer survivorship program. Recent activity includes collaboration with the clinical research office to support multi-site studies. We will be happy to discuss our past and on-going work in more detail should you receive an invitation for an interview.
Team culture: BMPS is currently a small but growing team. We have worked hard to foster a warm, welcoming, and collaborative environment in which we value each other’s expertise and provide the opportunity to share experiences and perspectives to support our projects and nurture our team’s and each other’s needs and interests. We truly enjoy working together to serve the cancer control priorities of New Mexico and look forward to welcoming the next member of our team.
RS2 duties and responsibilities: As a member of BMPS, you will be expected to be actively and concurrently involved in a wide variety of research related tasks. The specific duties and responsibilities of the RS2 position are detailed below.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• At least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Master’s degree in related field
• Experience with community-based research study design and implementation, including participant recruitment, data collection and maintenance, personnel management, and report writing.
• Demonstrated experience with
• Mixed methods research methodologies (quantitative and qualitative).
• Database creation and maintenance, particularly REDCap.

Responsibilities

• Supports multiple different research projects and works with numerous different PIs. Candidate must be able to communicate effectively with variety of PIs, switch between projects and people as needed throughout the day, and support a wide array of study activities.
• Provides project coordination and/or management for all aspects of research studies. Good clinical practices are utilized for rigorous human-subjects research approaches. Attention to detail as well as problem-solving and adaptability are essential. This may include managing day-to-day operations, collaborating with PIs and study staff on research design and development, developing standardized study processes, identifying and/or developing study materials, performing qualitative and/or quantitative analysis, and supporting development and dissemination of academic products. Candidate must be able to work effectively within a team and respond to project needs appropriately.
• Assists with maintenance and updates of regulatory approvals and compliance tracking. Candidate must be detail-oriented, extremely well organized, and understand the importance of protecting human subjects in research.
• Organizes and facilitates team meetings and other events associated with research activities such as focus groups and interviews with research participants. This may include scheduling team meetings (via Outlook, Zoom, etc.), developing meeting agendas, and maintaining meeting notes, action items, and timelines. Candidate must be clear and efficient communicator and willing to ask questions to clarify responsibilities and expectations.
• Assists with database development and data management needs of projects. This may include developing and managing databases using REDCap, Excel, Dedoose, NVivo, or other relevant platforms. Candidate must be comfortable working with or learning these or other technologies as required by assigned research studies.
• Engages with study participants to recruit, collect data (via surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups, for instance), and track participation. This may include phone calls, emails, Zoom meetings/discussions, and occasional travel to community sites over the course of a research study. Candidate must demonstrate effective and confident oral and written communication skills, comfort interacting with diverse groups and individuals, and ability to keep detailed records.
• Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned. Candidate must be flexible and a team-player, willing to take on a wide variety of tasks that often require learning as you go. The ability to learn quickly, ask questions, and jump into new situations without hesitation will help the right candidate succeed in this role.

Benefits

• This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees