Principal Research Associate

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 105,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutgers University in New Jersey is seeking a Principal Research Associate within Cancer Health Equity and Engagement at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. Under the PI, you will direct highly specialized biobehavioral cancer disparities research, manage staff and students, and oversee data management and reporting.

The role requires leadership across multiple sites and collaboration with off-site partners. Salary ranges from 105,266 to 151,360 USD, and the position is fully on-site with standard

Qualifications

• PhD degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree plus five (5) or more years of relevant work experience.
• This combined experience must involve human subjects research, enrolling people in clinical trials, and proactively collecting data from people (e.g., surveys).

Responsibilities

• Oversees observational, behavioral, and health services cancer research across sites.
• Leads study implementation, QA reviews, and data quality oversight.
• Manages researchers, staff, and subcontractors; allocates projects.
• Supports grant writing, manuscript preparation, and reports.
• Prepares IRB protocols, SOPs, and progress reports.
• Oversees recruitment and retention of study participants.

Skills

Quantitative skills

Writing communication

Team collaboration

Computer literacy

Database tools

Education

PhD degree + 3+ years

Master’s degree + 5+ years

Tools

Epic electronic records

Statistical software

Job description

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)

Department

Department CINJ - Cancer Health Equity &

Overview

RUTGERS CANCER INSTITUTE VISION , MISSION , AND CORE VALUES :

VISION :

Through our science, our evidence-based actions, our openness, and our respect for those we serve, we will advance cancer-focused research worldwide and reduce the burden of cancer in our catchment area. By engaging with and empowering our exceptionally diverse populations, and addressing their questions and fears, we will engender hope for cancer patients and their families and play a critical role in strengthening the fabric of our communities by gaining and protecting their trust and providing access to the outstanding oncology care each person deserves.

MISSION :

Our mission is to accelerate scientific discovery focused on understanding cancer, innovating cancer treatment, and improving cancer prevention; to provide outstanding, novel, and compassionate patient care; to provide evidence-based and culturally informed education to physicians, nurses, researchers, staff, and the community; and to achieve cancer health equity in our state through outreach to and engagement of our extraordinarily diverse communities.

CORE VALUES :

Curiosity and Discovery: encouraging an environment of continuous inquiry, creativity, and innovation to generate new knowledge

Integrity: earning the trust of those we serve and each other through honesty, transparency, accountability, and continuous reflection

Collaboration: approaching all opportunities with an understanding that together we are better and can achieve more; promoting and maintaining an environment of teamwork and shared knowledge

Respect and Caring: consistently demonstrating caring, compassion, and respect through our words and actions

Perseverance: maintaining an unwavering commitment to our mission; embracing change, overcoming obstacles, and creating and recreating the path to achieve our goals

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Principal Research Associate within Cancer Health Equity and Engagement at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the Principal Research Associate is responsible for the direction, planning, and coordination of highly specialized and technical biobehavioral and cancer disparities research and develops and directs personnel, technical and research staff, postdoctoral trainees, and graduate, medical, and undergraduate students. In addition, the Principal Research Associate leads the management of complex datasets and makes decisions and establishes work priorities on essential procedure-oriented operations. The Principal Research Associate also assists the Principal Investigator with study development, grant submissions, study execution, data management, quality control, regulatory activities, reporting, and the preparation of reports and manuscripts, while overseeing recruitment and other aspects of research studies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Ensures complex studies including observational, risk communication, behavioral and health services intervention research (involving biospecimens, genetic information, clinical and/or patient reported data) and implementation science projects in cancer patients and persons at risk for cancer, including socioeconomically disadvantaged and underserved racial and ethnic populations are administered as per study protocol, including enrolling and retaining study enrollees as per study timelines.
• Provides strategic and operational leadership for study implementation, including weekly quality assurance and quality control reviews across all research activities. Oversees subordinate project staff and subcontractors, ensuring standardized implementation of study protocols, adherence to regulatory and sponsor requirements, maintenance of data quality, timely achievement of project milestones, and consistent execution across participating sites.
• Oversees research progress of postdoctoral research fellows, students, and employees. Assigns research projects to staff based on assessment of technical skills and scientific ability.
• Assists the PI with writing research grant proposals and manuscripts.
• Writes and revises IRB and other types of study protocols, standard operating procedures and progress reports. Maintains a log of existing projects, and pro-actively monitors due dates.
• Writes, edits, and provides guidance to staff personnel for research materials, institutional board proposals and reports, papers, posters and abstracts.
• Provides slides and figures for presentations and papers to be submitted for publication, research posters, and web photos.
• Works with off-site collaborators and contractors and government agencies and monitor performance of each on a regular basis.
• Oversees and maintains budget controls. Ensures research team adheres to budgetary guidelines and implements study within budget. Writes justifications for initial budgets and re-budgeting when necessary. Approves all expenditures. Works with the Division of Grants and Contracts in finalizing fiscal year-end progress reports. Develops budgets for grants and research proposals.
• Works with the Program Director to coordinate and conduct all research activities, including patient recruitment and follow-up. Trains, supervises, valuates and/or disciplines subordinate staff. Conducts orientation and ensures the integration of new staff members into the Department and work unit. Coordinates schedules with research team and key stakeholders to ensure efficient performance of studies. Provides ongoing training to staff and ensures quality control and scientific integrity.

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Grade

Grade 32S

Salary Details

Minimum Salary 105266.000

Mid Range Salary 128315.000

Maximum Salary

Maximum Salary 151360.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Position Status Full Time

Working Hours

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 37.50

Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description

Union Description CWA 1031

Payroll Designation

Payroll Designation PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• PhD degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree plus five (5) or more years of relevant work experience.
• This combined experience must involve human subjects research, enrolling people in clinical trials and proactively collecting data from people (e.g., surveys).

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated proficiency in the coordination of administrative and fiscal activities as well as the ability to formulate and expedite policies and programs.
• Experience/knowledge with statistical software required.
• Excellent quantitative skills and excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Must work well in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Must be computer literate with proficiency and working knowledge of database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Epic electronic record data is preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS : Standing, sitting, walking, talking and hearing. No special vision requirements. Lifting up to 25 lbs.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT : Office environment. Moderate noise.

Special Conditions

Posting Number

Posting Number 26ST1746

Posting Open Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus

Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus

Home Location Campus Downtown New Brunswick

City

New Brunswick

State

NJ

Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a PhD degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus five (5) or more years of relevant work experience, with this combined experience involving human subjects research, enrolling people in clinical trials, and proactively collecting data from people (e.g., surveys)?
• Yes
• No

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of Professional References (contact Info)

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