Research Area Specialist Sr (underfill to Intermediate)

Michigan Medicine; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health coverage

2:1 retirement match

Job summary

Michigan Medicine's Division of General Medicine seeks a Project Lead to join the CanSORT Research Management Team at the University of Michigan Medical School. The role focuses on grants, study coordination, and multicenter projects in cancer surveillance and outcomes research.

The position offers a remote-first policy with flexible hybrid options and occasional on-site meetings at NCRC. Ideal for candidates pursuing public health, clinical research, or health policy careers.

Qualifications

• Senior Level: Master's Degree in Public Health or related field with 5–7 years in an academic research environment.
• Experience with NIH and non-federal sponsor grant submission processes.
• Experience with IRB management via eResearch.
• Experience managing a multi-site grant.
• Proficiency in data management applications (REDCap, Qualtrics, Google Forms).
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks with deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage large and complex research projects for multiple investigators.
• Coordinate meetings, take notes, and assign tasks to team members.
• Grant development, timeline preparation, and data-use agreement applications.
• Oversee IRB-related activities and human subject considerations.
• Coordinate data collection, recruitment, and participant retention for studies.
• Support manuscript preparation, dissemination, and presentation materials.

Skills

Grant management

IRB management

Data management

Project management

Communication

Education

Master's Degree in Public Health or related field

Bachelor's Degree in Public Health or related field

Tools

REDCap

Qualtrics

Google Forms

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The Division of General Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School is seeking a Project Lead to join the Research Management Team (RMT) of the Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team (CanSORT) (https://cansort.med.umich.edu/). CanSORT is a multidisciplinary team of cancer scientists who conduct innovative and rigorous patient-centered research to develop and disseminate interventions that improve cancer care and outcomes. The team maintains a multifaceted portfolio of research that includes observational work (secondary data analysis; surveys and interviews of patients, family members, and clinicians) as well as intervention and implementation studies targeting decision making, communication, and care coordination. This position offers a flexible work schedule and the ability to work a hybrid schedule or fully remote with occasional on-site in-person meetings. This is a grant-funded position working with a team of six core research faculty. Our office is located at the North Campus Research Complex (NCRC).

The successful candidate will work with other RMT Project Leads to prepare grants, conduct research projects, and coordinate core activities funded under this program. This position is ideal for someone who desires a career in public health, clinical research, or health policy.

This department follows a remote-first work policy. Shared work and meeting space at the North Campus Research Complex (NCRC) is available as needed. The position offers a flexible, hybrid schedule, with remote work supported and encouraged when appropriate. Occasional on-site meetings and other in-person work across CanSORT will be required.

Responsibilities

• Manage large and complex research projects for multiple investigators
• Schedule, attend, and take notes at research team meetings
• Assign tasks to team members and supervise individual and project progress
• Formulate research methods, suggest options for improving quality, identify potential problems, recommend/implement solutions
• Grant development and project management: funding acquisition, timeline preparation, data use agreement applications, RPPRs
• Handle IRB-required activities (internal/external/central IRBs): prepare human subject applications, protocol creation, amendments, continuing reviews
• Coordinate human research studies (including observational and clinical trials): recruitment; consent; participant retention; coordinating/participating in primary data collection via in-person and virtual interviews/focus groups and distribution/collection of surveys
• Clinical trial registration and recordkeeping in accordance with local policy, National Cancer Institute policy, and Federal government policy
• Track participants and maintain accurate and detailed study records
• In collaboration with our CanSORT statistical team, perform data quality control, including data abstraction and cleaning
• Assist with poster and slide preparation materials
• Assist with manuscript preparation, submission, and dissemination
• Communication and coordination with CanSORT team members and collaborators both internally (across the University of Michigan) and externally (nationwide)

As Needed, The Candidate May Also Be Responsible For

• Update/Maintain the CanSORT website
• Management of temporary employees and students
• Research event planning and coordination
• Co-present with Principal Investigator at meetings and conferences
• Author/co-author publications

Required Qualifications

Senior Level: Master's Degree in Public Health or a related field (e.g. Social Sciences) with at least 5-7 years of experience in an academic research environment. Supervisory and/or financial management experience preferred.

• Knowledge of University policy and procedures regarding human subjects research (HIPAA, HSIP, etc.) and reporting requirements for federally funded research
• Experience with NIH and non-federal sponsor grant submission processes
• Experience with IRB management via eResearch
• Experience managing a multi-site grant
• Experience with data management applications (e.g. REDCap, Qualtrics, Google Forms)
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Superb interpersonal skills and strong work ethic
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple team members
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in both verbal and written forms to scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks within deadlines
• Flexibility and ability to multitask to manage competing deadlines and demands
• Proficiency in the PC environment and with programs such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Canva

Intermediate Level: Bachelor's Degree in Public Health or a related field (e.g. Social Sciences) with at least 3-5 years of experience in an academic research environment.

• Knowledge of University policy and procedures regarding human subjects research (HIPAA, HSIP, etc.) and reporting requirements for federally funded research
• Experience working with a multi-site grant
• Knowledge of IRB management via eResearch
• Knowledge of data management applications (e.g. REDCap, Qualtrics, Google Forms)
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple team members
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in both verbal and written forms to scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks within deadlines
• Flexibility and ability to multitask to manage competing deadlines and demands
• Proficiency in the PC environment and with programs such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Canva

Desired Qualifications

• Clinical trial management/OnCore experience
• Experience with NIH and non-federal sponsor grant submission processes
• Qualitative research skills, including experience in both collecting and coding qualitative data
• Demonstrated scientific writing experience, including the use of reference management tools (e.g., EndNote) and research literature search engines
• Experience with data entry and database management using REDCap
• Knowledge of data analysis/statistical concepts and procedures
• Experience with project management applications (e.g. Basecamp, Smartsheet)
• Experience with website building platforms (e.g. Drupal, Google Sites, Wordpress)

Why Work at Michigan

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Why Join Michigan Medicine

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.