Clinical Research Manager

Department

BSD CCC - Network Oncology Research

About the Department

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant funds ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises over 200 faculty members from twenty departments, with members currently being awarded over $51million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $24 million in non-peer-reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, marketing andcommunications, fundraising, data analytics, clinical trials management, and community outreach and engagement.

The UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area, with more than 450 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC's commitment to translating basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early-phase studies. UCCCC opens over 130 new trials each year and accrues approximately 800 participants to therapeutic trials each year.

Job Summary

The Network Clinical Research Manager (Manager) is a specialized research professional who is responsible for the direction of a program or a research office. The Manager works closely with the Director of Network Research Operations on long-range plans for network sites. While the Principal Investigator (PI) is primarily responsible for the overall design and conduct of the clinical trials in the network, the Manager collaborates with the PI and other senior research faculty and personnel, participates as a skilled individual contributor and/or lead researcher as an expert. The Manager ensures research projects progress according to plan by overseeing the coordination of the daily clinical trial activities.

The Manager may write articles, reports and manuscripts and/or present research findings at meetings/conferences. By performing these duties, the Manager works with the PI, department, sponsor, and institution to provide guidance on the administration of the compliance, financial, personnel and other related aspects of the clinical study.

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for performing clinical research including the collection, documentation, analysis of clinical trial data, and reporting of clinical research data. Manages the strategic, administrative, operational, and financial decisions that impact clinical research conducted across the University.

Responsibilities

Research Conduct/Study Management:

• Responsible for the direction of a program or research office.

• Conducts research in the area of expertise.

• Collaborates with other researchers on long-range plans for research projects.

• Oversees the development of research projects.

• Ensures research projects progress according to plan.

• Investigates, modifies, and applies new procedures, techniques, or technological applications.

• Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines.

• Establishes, monitors, and controls project budgets.

• In collaboration with senior research faculty and personnel, participates as a skilled individual contributor and/or lead researcher as an expert in a specialized area.

• Prepares grant/funding applications.

• Manages financial, personnel, planning, compliance, and other administrative aspects of research project(s).

Data Management:

• Oversees activities related to data collection and analysis.

• Coordinates the conduct of the study from screening through to completion, including recruitment and screening of study subjects, obtaining informed consent, collecting research data, and ensuring protocol adherence.

• Protects patient and data confidentiality by ensuring the security of research data and personal health information.

Regulatory:

• Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Understands the IRB submission and review process and when and how to apply for IRB review, including facilitation of study initiation through meticulous and timely preparation of IRB submissions.

• Understands the federal research regulations and identifies the federal research organizations’ role in regulating human research participation.

• Identifies and explains the responsibilities of Principal Investigators, research team members, sponsors, contract research organizations (CROs), and regulatory authorities related to the conduct of a clinical trial.

• Writes articles, reports, and manuscripts and presents research findings at meetings and/or conferences.

• Advises the development of a formalized training program for both new and existing staff within the unit and any affiliates and/or partners. Monitors federal regulatory agency requirements related to clinical research training requirements and ensures training activities comply with requirements.

• Manages PI and other senior research faculty and personnel, participates as a skilled individual contributor and/or lead researcher as expert in specialized area. Ensures research projects progress according to plan by overseeing the coordination of the daily clinical trial activities.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Supervisory skills strongly preferred.

• Experience monitoring and auditing clinical research trials for compliance/billing accuracy (e.g., site monitoring, quality assurance, creating monitoring plans) strongly preferred.

• Experience managing research projects strongly preferred.

• Experience in a leadership role strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Research certification (e.g., Graham School Clinical Trials Management & Regulatory Compliance, SoCRA, ACRP) strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to develop a program and a team.

• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to work independently.

• Ability to develop a research program and work strategically with Principal Investigator(s).

• Ability to lead robust operational and financial analysis of study(ies) and/or program performance.

• Ability to read and understand clinical trial protocols.

• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.

• Strong analytical skills.

• Knowledge of grant and contract administration.

• Familiarity with medical and scientific terminology.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP).

• Ability to identify funding sources strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced, deadline-driven, office-based environment requiring flexibility and adaptability.

• Some Hospital and Clinic presence will be required.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$90,000.00 - $130,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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