Department

BSD CCC – Clinical Trials Support Unit

About the Department

The University of Chicago 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 190 faculty members from twenty departments, with members currently being awarded over $47 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $28 million in non-peer-reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, communications, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management, and community outreach.

UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area, with nearly 500 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 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.

Job Summary

The Training and Education Program Manager is a specialized research professional responsible for the clinical research operations of a program or research office.  The Manager works closely with the clinical Principal Investigator (PI) on long-term research trial plans. While the PI is primarily responsible for the overall design and conduct of the clinical trials, the Manager collaborates with the PI and other senior research faculty and personnel, and participates as a skilled individual contributor and/or lead researcher, serving as an expert in a specialized area.

The Manager ensures clinical 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 trial.

The job manages academic, research, clinical, or administrative programs.

Responsibilities

Training and Education

• Designs new training and developmental programs for cancer clinical research faculty and staff.
• Leads and coordinates efforts for the cancer center’s annual and ongoing clinical research training.
• Oversees monthly clinical research lecture series. Ensure presentations are relevant and up to date with current clinical research standards and practices.
• Works with training presenters to develop content, slide decks, and activities to enhance their training sessions.
• Develops best practices for training documentation and competency-based training.
• Creates and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs) that enhance the quality of our cancer clinical trials.
• Supports clinical research teams in the design and implementation of process improvement plans.
• Drives high-quality projects within expected timeframes.
• Monitors the progress of projects and initiatives, and ensures key stakeholders are kept informed of progress and expected outcomes.
• Supports clinical research technology platform planning and implementation.
• Provides mentorship and counsel to cancer clinical research staff and faculty.
• Reviews and supports the completion and ongoing review of Corrective Action Plans from internal and external sponsors.
• Liaises with COE and CRTEC on training and education initiatives.
• Works closely with the Cancer Center Quality Unit on continuous training and quality initiatives.
• Develops and implements best practices for pre- and post-survey feedback on training.
• Develops key performance indicators (KPIs) to enhance our training and education of research staff and faculty.
• Implements Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and all relevant current local, state, and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Develops and implements consistent standards and protocols.
• Acts as a resource on the basics of clinical research and related aspects of clinical study for colleagues with less experience.

Population Science Research Management

• Conducts site feasibility, prepares or obtains required documents for initial institutional review, and oversees and ensures proper progression of all trial start-up activities.
• Coordinates with other departments to implement new clinical research trials and ensure protocols are followed.
• Promotes the ethical conduct of human-related research.
• Acts as liaison between the clinical research staff (PI, coordinators, nurses, etc.), and external sponsors or Clinical Research Organizations (CRO).
• Oversees and manages clinical research coordinators within their program or research area.
• Investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology.
• Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines.
• Partners with the clinical research finance group to ensure trial related work is invoiced appropriately and correctly.
• Collaborates with senior research faculty and personnel, participates as a skilled individual contributor and/or lead researcher as an expert in a specialized area.
• Aids in the preparation of grant/funding applications.
• Manages personnel planning, compliance, and other administrative aspects of research project(s).
• Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Manages program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in training and education development.
• Experience in an academic or fast-paced environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to interact and communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy with patrons, patients, staff, faculty, students, and others.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong data management skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Suite, including Outlook.
• Ability to understand complex documents (e.g., clinical trials).
• Ability to handle competing demands with diplomacy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to absorb large amounts of information quickly.
• Adaptability to changing working situations and work assignments.

Working Conditions

• Ability to navigate the UChicago Campus as required by the Position.
• Hybrid work arrangements may be considered.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (preferred)

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

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

​FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$75,000.00 – $100,000.00

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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