Rsch Pro 7-Research Proj Mgmt

ABOUT THE POSITION
Position Overview
This position supports research conducted at the CNS Lab at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. The CNS lab is a multiple PI-led research lab with a significant grant funding portfolio across multiple departments (Pediatrics, ICD) housed at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain at the University of Minnesota. Meghan Swanson and Jed Elison are co-Directors, and Casey Burrows is the Director of Clinical Training. The lab focuses on understanding brain and behavioral development of infants and young children. More specifically, our research examines the critical period of brain development in the first two years of life, which represents a time interval of dynamic development, plasticity, and potential vulnerability. Our research participants include typically developing children, autistic children, children with agenesis of the corpus callosum, infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, and children with Down syndrome.

Drs. Meghan Swanson and Jed Elison will be launching a new study of 260 autistic toddlers and children. The goal is to characterize how communication develops in this population across multiple ages and language profiles and to generate new quantitative tools that are sensitive to change and ready for deployment in clinical trials and clinical care. We are seeking an expert research professional with extensive laboratory and early childhood experience to play a leadership role in supervising and directing this research project. Responsibilities for this position include research development and oversight, strategic leadership, training and supervision of research teams, administration, reporting, and publication. This position requires working independently while leading and directing work of 10-20 team members, frequent use of novel problem-solving strategies and planning, and procedural adaptation to ensure successful completion of all research project goals in a timely, cost-effective, and efficient manner. We expect this individual to be an expert in their field.

This is an in-person position with opportunity for remote work. Please upload a cover letter and CV/resume. Your application will not be considered until all components of the application are complete. Review of applications is ongoing, and the position will remain open until the posting is removed. This position reports directly to Dr. Meghan Swanson.

Job Responsibilities

* Research Development and Oversight (60%)
o Responsible for project management of all aspects of the research project, from conception to completion, ensuring timely progress, results, and high-quality outcomes
o Design and develop the research protocol and study procedures
o Conceptualize and direct the development of tools, resources, and materials to support research study goals and advancement
o Design, plan, coordinate, implement, and oversee the day-to-day research operations
o Oversee the recruitment, scheduling, consent, tracking, and data collection procedures with study participants
o Oversee data management, sample storage and shipping
o Develop study goals and milestones
o Approve, purchase, and maintain lab study equipment and supplies to assure operational efficiency of research
o Develop, collect, and analyze metrics to assess and monitor progress towards research goals, quality assurance, and protocol adherence; modify procedures based on analysis to improve research project efficiency and quality
o Ensure study team adherence and compliance with ethical, human subjects research, and regulatory requirements and policies
o Solve complex problems to fulfill research objectives
o Operate independently with guidance and oversight from supervisor by exception

* Supervision (20%)
o Hire, train, and supervise research staff and research assistants
o Create job postings, interview, and select candidates
o Travel out-of-state to collaboration sites to train and supervise team members
o Direct and provide regular feedback on the work, schedules, task assignments, goals, and responsibilities of study team members

* Strategic Leadership and Administrative Responsibilities (15%)
o Plan, develop, prepare, and implement IRB and grant proposals, documents, applications, reporting, change in protocol submissions, and administration processes
o Create hiring and staffing plans, including contingency plans
o Create, revise, negotiate, and monitor research study budgets and funding awards
o Ensure adherence to and compliance with all approved ethics and protocol procedures relating to participant privacy/confidentiality and data/sample integrity
o Collaborate with College's financial staff to monitor expenses and forecast spending
o Collaborate with College's grant administration staff to submit grant applications and amendments
o Consult and advise on external IRBs, protocol design and development, and training for other partner collection sites
o Serve as a liaison between departments and institutions to foster effective project collaboration

* Reporting/Publication (5%)
o Prepare technical, project, and funding progress reports
o Understand, interpret, and apply scientific results
o Collaborate on statistical analysis and manuscript publication; Co-author peer-reviewed papers
o Present study findings to large-scale conferences, departments, and research network groups
o Communicate regularly with local, national, and international collaborators and PIs about study progress

QUALIFICATIONS

Required
* Requires BA/BS with at least 10 years of relevant experience or advanced degree plus at least 8 years of relevant experience
* Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities
* Research, research development and management, and/or Co-Investigator experience of at least 6 years with complex or large-scale research protocols involving young children as participants
* Training and supervision experience of research lab staff and students
* Authorship on previous research manuscript publications and conference presentations

Preferred
* Advanced degree in early childhood education, child psychology, or related field
* 20+ years research experience with children and families
* Expertise interacting with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents
* Ability to evaluate research protocol adherence and study progress
* Strong written, verbal communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
* Ability to plan, problem-solve, and set goals while managing multiple tasks and teams on a daily basis
* Demonstrated competence interacting with diverse populations of children, parents, medical providers, clinic, early learning center, and research lab staff
* Strong attention to detail, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
* Experience with University grant, accounting, and IRB regulations, policies, and best practices involved in managing research projects with human subjects
* Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal guidance and successfully train team members on research protocols
* Skillful with technology, assessments, statistical analysis, and document creation on iPad/Mac/PC, including REDCap, Qualtrics, MEFS, SPSS, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, email, online calendar, video conferencing tools and software

Pay Range: $105,000 - $125,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).