Research Project Manager

at  University of Pennsylvania

University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Research Project Manager
Job Profile Title
Manager Research Project A
Job Description Summary
The Research Project Manager for parent-focused, LGBTQ+ adolescent health communication studies provide overall daily management of the research protocols led by the Principal Investigator and research team, including monitoring the milestones and implementation of research program activities. In this role, the Research Project Manager coordinates quality control and compliance requirements of the study protocols. This individual must have a very strong interest in family science/dynamics, adolescent LGBTQ+ health, as well as health equity. This is mostly an in-person, full-time role in Philadelphia M-F with occasional evening or weekends for community events or programming.
The incumbent will coordinate the implementation of several family-based health interventions tailored to the needs of parents supporting LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults. Study-specific tasks include: overall daily management of the research protocols in collaboration with the PI and multisite research teams; coordinate intervention development and implementation; coordinate clinical trial behavioral data collection; supervise intervention facilitators, coordinating training and ensuring compliance with study protocols and quality assurance processes; participate in data management and analysis; and draft project-related reports. The Project Manager will work in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator and a multidisciplinary team across multiple sites to coordinate daily operations of the project. The candidate will be involved in the implementation of all phases of the study from design to deliverables, will identify critical tasks and personnel required to complete projects successfully, and will monitor project status and ensure that tasks and deliverables are completed on time. Experience with family science, LGBTQ+ adolescent health, community engagement, LGBTQ+ health, HIV/STI testing and counseling, eHealth, and/or online recruitment is preferred but not required.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities

Planning & Management - Provides overall daily management of the research protocol in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and research team; monitors all aspects of the program; manages budget and staff.

• Manages the grant process and demonstrates in-depth knowledge of research design and analyses; contributes to the planning and implementation of grant proposals.
• Acts as liaison with internal and external constituents to ensure effective communication and coordination of activities
• Prepares documents for human subjects review as required by each participating study site and funding agency
• Plans and develops meetings with the research team and external participants.
• Oversees and maintains program documentation as needed.
• Designs and implements systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient operations.
• Serves as liaison between the multiple research sites and coordinate multisite data collection and monitoring, including scheduling meetings, coordinating work teams and tasks, and providing technical support as needed
• Monitors budget and expenses in keeping with Penn policies and procedures; serves as a resource steward for grant funds.
• Supervises study staff including hiring, performance management, training and development, recognition; includes management of the research team including student workers and research assistants; assigns tasks, monitors progress, and troubleshoots issues as they arise. Approves timesheets and coordinates schedules
• Coordinates with multiple institutional review boards as appropriate; prepares documentation and coordinates submission as needed.

Data Collection, Quality Control and Compliance – Coordinates and conducts data collection, quality control and compliance in keeping with study protocols.

• Coordinates and oversees procedures and payments ascribed to primary data collection activities for multiple research projects
• Contributes to the development of surveys and interview guides
• Assures confidentiality of subjects as appropriate
• Ensures quality control measures in keeping with study protocols
• Aids in the construction of detailed codebooks that provide variable-level descriptions
• Conducts data quality checks
• Develops documentation of data files for internal and external use

Intervention Development - design, implement, and monitor psychosocial research interventions

• Contributes knowledge of behavioral health theory and technique to develop manualized psychosocial interventions, particularly in the areas of Motivational Interviewing, supporting goal setting and achievement, supportive communication, and providing mental health first aid.
• Supervises staff delivering psychosocial components of study interventions, providing ongoing training, personnel development, performance management.
• Coordinates and monitors video intervention sessions, ensuring intervention specialists maintain fidelity to protocols.

Study Coordination - Coordinates daily operations working in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and the research team.

• Develops standardized procedures for recruitment, data collection, subject screening, recruitment, and management of subject data.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the study protocol and contributes to the planning and implementation of the research study.
• Acts as liaison with internal and external constituents to ensure effective communication and coordination of activities; coordinates with the business office as needed.
• Coordinates meetings with the research team and key participants and actively participates in identifying problems that may arise and offer potential solutions.
• Maintains project documentation in secure electronic and paper form.
• Designs and implements systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient study operations.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Master’s Preferred.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
School of Nursing
Pay Range
$51,824.00 - $68,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit:
https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pa

Please refer the Job description for details