Research Project Manager

Department: MED-Psych & Behavioral Science
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

The Health Disparities and Public Policy program in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences is conducting the Northwestern Juvenile Project: a 30-year longitudinal research study of the needs and outcomes of youth in juvenile detention as they age. Participants were originally sampled from a juvenile detention center as adolescents between 1995-1998, now median age 43. Three- to four-hour structured interviews are conducted 7 days a week in participants' homes across the Chicagoland area, in correctional facilities, and via Zoom or phone when participants live too far away to be interviewed in person. Multiple interview waves with varying participant eligibility criteria and unique interview protocols are ongoing.

This position manages day-to-day operations of the project. Their primary responsibilities are to maximize the safety of field staff; ensure ethical and respectful interface with study participants; maximize sample retention and participation rates; and promote the collection of accurate and complete interview data. The manager will direct and coordinate the interview set-up, interview, and participant locating operations. They will directly supervise the Interviewer Supervisor, Tracking Supervisor, and up to three Project Liaisons (who set-up and coordinate interviews and maintain the project database). They will help with on-call responsibilities evenings and weekends. They will monitor procedures and processes, inter-team communication, productivity and efficiency and documentation. They will conduct weekly Project meetings, Liaison meetings, individual supervision of their direct reports. They will attend Measurement, Data Team, and All-Staff meetings.

This position will identify and secure needed resources; create, implement, monitor, and update project plans; facilitate meetings with appropriate parties; track tasks/deliverables to ensure timelines, milestones and/or goals are attained; monitor and report progress as appropriate; and resolve or escalate issues in a timely manner. They will ensure that all study activities are completed by strictly following all current local, state, and federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy and procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Please include a cover letter to be considered for this position.

This role is a hybrid position, with at least 3 days required in-office on Northwestern's Chicago campus.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Provides complex scientific & technical leadership in determining research priorities & the plan, design & execution of research projects ensuring that programs of investigation meet specified objectives.
• Plans, develops & implements new processes & protocols to support research studies & maximize/extend study capabilities.
• Oversees completion of study activities per protocol.
• Ensures that study protocols are in compliance with appropriate rules & regulations & reviews study progress and recommends revisions, amendments, and/or other study changes as necessary to better meet needs of sponsors.

Administrative

• Ensures that all study documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols are completed in a timely manner.

Finance

• Monitors accounts.
• Ensures appropriate allocation & compliance.

Supervision

• Trains, directs, assigns duties to & may supervise lab EEs, students, residents &/or fellows.
• Acts as a mentor in regard to education of junior coordinators.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 5 years' research study or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years' research study or other relevant experience.
• Supervisory or project management experience required.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong supervisory and motivational skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Excel
• Ability to generate reports from existing database
• Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and challenges facing at-risk adults

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• 3+ years project management experience, preferably with social science research or related endeavors
• 3+ years supervisory experience
• Experience working with at-risk adults

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Excellent supervisory and motivational skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills including Excel
• Familiarity generating reports from existing database

Target hiring range for this position will be between $63,079 - 88,705 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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