Director of Clinical Research

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Biological Sciences Division is seeking a Director of Clinical Research within the Department of Medicine to lead operations across multiple general research sections. This role reports to the Executive Administrator and collaborates with research compliance, regulatory affairs, and clinical care leaders.

Responsibilities include guiding research teams, managing budgets, ensuring federal and institutional compliance, and advising faculty on trial management.

Qualifications

• Minimum a college or university degree in related field.
• 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes deep subject matter expertise in clinical research regulations, operations, people management, and project management to guide research teams and identify opportunities for department-wide clinical research excellence.
• Manage a team of Clinical Research Managers to lead the department’s human subject research portfolio and ensure high quality, standardized, and efficient clinical research operations.
• Participate in strategic decision making within the department as it relates to clinical research, guide staffing and resource allocation decisions, ensure timely and high quality clinical research services to faculty Investigators, evaluate staffing performance and quality, and advocate for clinical research staff to ensure an engaged and high functioning clinical research workforce.
• Monitors project management and ensures that clinical trials are conducted in compliance with federal and institutional regulations. Manages, monitors and reports project budgets and annual projections.
• Develops departmental plans, including strategic initiatives for the department, in collaboration with departmental and divisional leadership.
• Advises faculty and research staff on all facets of clinical trial research management, including research conduct and compliance.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Clinical research management

Leadership

Project management

Budgeting

Staff supervision

GCP knowledge

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree

Job description

About The Department

Department

BSD MED - Administration

The Department of Medicine (DOM), housed within the BSD, is the largest department at the University of Chicago, measured by faculty count, wRVU generation, research funding and size of its training programs. It is comprised of over 340 full-time faculty and supported by 830+ staff members. The Department of Medicine is organized into 15 subspecialty sections, each directed by nationally recognized experts in their field. The faculty and staff members working in the Department collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV): MISSION: As part of the University of Chicago, we pursue globally impactful solutions to seemingly unsolvable challenges. Through our rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing, we collaborate on life-changing advancements that create meaningful results for our community and the world, including a greater, more equitable future for all. VISION: Together, we elevate the human experience with knowledge and health care. Values: Commit to Excellence: We contribute our exceptional talents to all we do and empower the same spirit of excellence in others. Embrace Curiosity: We stay open to new ideas, champion diverse perspectives, and drive a culture of thoughtful risk‑taking to deliver transformative innovation. Embody Equity: We identify systemic issues and then foster change to drive a more equitable environment inclusive of diverse people, ideas, and fields of science. Grow Together: We meaningfully collaborate with one another to create something bigger than we could ever achieve alone. Make a Difference: We lead with heart and compassion in all our interactions. We create positive change in our areas of influence, whether expanding scientific inquiry, developing the next generation of leaders, or healing our community. Take Ownership: We accomplish what we say we will and hold ourselves and one another accountable for our actions. The MVV serves as our True North, charting our strategic plan for the next ten years and beyond. It is an exciting time to be a part of the University of Chicago and the BSD. Our team is helping shape the future for our learners, staff, faculty, patients, and community. The DOM was the first department created when the medical school began over 110 years ago. It has evolved into the largest department not only in the medical school with over 340 full time faculty and research faculty but is the largest department in the University. The main missions of the DOM, scholarship, discovery, education and outstanding patient care, occur in a setting of multicultural and ethnic diversity. These missions are supported by exceptional faculty and trainees in the DOM. We believe you will quickly agree that the DOM’s faculty, fellows and trainees very much represent the forefront of academic medicine – extraordinary people doing things to support the missions of our department. The result is a Department which reaches far beyond the walls of our medical school to improve humanity and health throughout our community and the world providing high quality patient care and training of the next generation of leaders in medicine. The DOM has a long and proud history of research and discovery in the basic, clinical and translational sciences. Currently, the DOM is among an elite group of medical centers who are leading in the discovery and delivery of personalized medicine. Our impressive pool of talented researchers are renowned for bridging the bench to the bedside, and clinical research evaluations of new drugs and devices.

Job Summary

The Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Medicine is responsible for leading the operations and conduct of clinical research across all general research sections within the department. This position will have primary accountability to the Executive Administrator within the Department of Medicine and secondary accountability to the Office of Clinical Research. The Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Medicine will partner with leaders within and outside of the department who are responsible for research compliance, regulatory affairs, research finance, human subjects protection, and clinical care to advance the research mission of UChicago Medicine.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes their deep subject matter expertise in clinical research regulations, research operations, people management, and project management to guide research teams and identify opportunities for department-wide clinical research excellence.
• Manage a team of Clinical Research Managers to lead the department’s human subject research portfolio and ensure high quality, standardized, and efficient clinical research operations.
• Participate in strategic decision making within the department as it relates to clinical research, guide staffing and resource allocation decisions, ensure timely and high quality clinical research services to faculty Investigators, evaluate staffing performance and quality, and advocate for clinical research staff to ensure an engaged and high functioning clinical research workforce.
• Monitors project management and ensures that clinical trials are conducted in compliance with federal and institutional regulations. Manages, monitors and reports project budgets and annual projections.
• Develops departmental plans, including strategic initiatives for the department, in collaboration with departmental and divisional leadership.
• Advises faculty and research staff on all facets of clinical trial research management, including research conduct and compliance.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree.

Experience

• Supervisory skills.
• Background in a leadership role.

Licenses And Certifications

• Research certification, such as Graham School Clinical Trials Management and Regulatory Compliance, SoCRA, ACRP.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

• Proficient in monitoring and auditing clinical research trials for compliance/billing accuracy, such as site monitoring, quality assurance, and creating monitoring plans.
• Working knowledge of managing research projects.
• Develop research program and work strategically with principal investigator(s).
• Lead robust operational and financial analysis of study(ies) and/or program performance.
• Read and understand clinical trials protocols.
• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of grant and contract administration.
• Familiarity with medical and scientific terminology.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP).

Preferred Competencies

• Develop a program and a team.
• Excellent time management skills and work independently.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Identify funding sources.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

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

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$120,000.00 - $160,000.00

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. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.