Senior Research Nurse – Thoracic-Head & Neck Medical Oncology

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas

On-site

USD 89,000 - 133,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Tuition benefits

Educational opportunities

Job summary

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Senior Research Nurse to lead protocol coordination and patient management in thoracic-Head & Neck oncology research. You will oversee regulatory compliance, data quality, and study leadership, collaborating with investigators and sponsors to advance cancer clinical trials.

Ideal candidates bring oncology research nursing experience, the ability to prioritize changing demands, and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with RN licensure.

Qualifications

Registered nurse with oncology research experience preferred.
Experience in protocol operations and data quality oversight.
Knowledge of IRB processes and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Coordinate protocol operations with investigators and sponsors.
Ensure regulatory compliance across trials and maintain documentation.
Mentor junior staff and support continuous program improvement.

Skills

Nursing

Clinical trial coordination

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Job description

Senior Research Nurse

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Thoracic-Head & Neck Medical Oncology department specializes in the treatment and clinical research of thoracic malignancies and head and neck cancers, advancing innovative therapies and improving outcomes through multidisciplinary patient care and clinical trial participation. The Senior Research Nurse supports these efforts through protocol coordination, patient management, regulatory compliance, and research leadership.

The Senior Research Nurse serves as a key member of the clinical research team, collaborating with principal investigators, sponsors, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to ensure the successful conduct of clinical trials. The Senior Research Nurse provides expert oversight of protocol implementation, patient participation, data quality, and regulatory requirements while contributing to the advancement of cancer research and patient care at UT MD Anderson. The Senior Research Nurse also serves as a mentor and resource for research team members, supporting operational excellence and continuous program improvement.

The ideal candidate will have experience with Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical research studies, managing regulatory and protocol requirements, overseeing research data quality, educating patients and healthcare professionals, and mentoring research personnel. Experience in oncology research, clinical trial management, protocol operations, and leadership within a research environment is highly desirable. Must be a critical thinker, have the ability to prioritize changing demands and be a team player. Additionally, the deal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, two years of registered nurse experience, and one year oncology research nurse experience with UT MD Anderson.

Salary Range: $89,000 (minimum) – $111,000 (midpoint) – $133,000 (maximum)

Work Week: Days, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m./Hybrid Onsite/Remote. The first 6 months will be required to be onsite 4 days a week.

Why Us?

At UT MD Anderson, the Senior Research Nurse plays a vital role in advancing groundbreaking clinical research that improves treatment options and outcomes for patients with thoracic and head and neck cancers. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with leading clinicians and researchers, contribute to innovative clinical trials, develop leadership and mentoring skills, and support a culture of excellence while maintaining a strong commitment to professional growth and work-life balance.

Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30 hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.

Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.

Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.

Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

Protocol Management

Assume responsibility for the effective operation of research protocols in collaboration with principal investigators and study sponsors
Participate in site initiation visits, conference calls, interim assessments, and written business correspondence
Ensure research-associated test and procedure charges are captured to research financial accounts when required by protocol
Assess patient eligibility through personal interviews and medical record reviews in inpatient and outpatient settings
Assess patient clinical status in real time and coordinate, evaluate, and monitor participation in clinical trials
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel, and multidisciplinary care teams as necessary
Document protocol activities in patient medical records, protocol-specific documents, and institutional systems
Communicate protocol treatment availability and support study accrual efforts
Participate in the development and maintenance of protocol-specific order sets
Maintain regulatory requirements including deviation logs, serious adverse event logs, adverse event logs, and IRB continuing reviews

Clinical Trial Operations & Regulatory Compliance

Notify clinical and research laboratories of protocol-required testing including EKGs, pharmacokinetic studies, pharmacodynamic studies, and urine collections
Prepare orders for protocol-related tests, procedures, consultations, pathology slides, and pathology blocks
Facilitate communication among investigators, sponsors, laboratories, and research staff
Ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, sponsor, and protocol-specific requirements
Support protocol activation, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance activities
Monitor adherence to protocol requirements throughout study participation

Protocol Data Management

Assist principal investigators in the collection, review, and evaluation of clinical research data
Oversee protocol-related documentation within the medical record
Collaborate with data entry personnel to ensure accurate completion of databases and case report forms
Review patient treatment responses, treatment-related toxicities, and adverse drug reactions with principal investigators
Report required information to the Institutional Review Board and study sponsors
Prepare protocol summary reports and other required study documentation

Patient & Professional Education

Identify patient and family educational needs related to clinical trial treatment management, evaluations, and follow-up care
Provide education and educational materials through in-person and telephone interactions
Ensure protection of human research participants in accordance with federal, state, and institutional requirements
Facilitate informed consent and re-consent processes for research participants
Address participant questions and concerns throughout study participation
Develop and provide in-service education regarding research protocols for professional and ancillary staff
Provide accurate protocol information to multidisciplinary team members
Maintain current knowledge of oncology and research study management through continuing education, professional meetings, and training programs

Training & Mentoring

Mentor, train, and support newly onboarded and transferring research team members under the direction of the Research Nurse Manager
Serve as a resource for team members and provide guidance in the absence of the Research Nurse Manager
Pursue educational opportunities and share knowledge and best practices with research staff
Develop research documents and tools that support successful clinical trial execution
Participate in professional activities beyond the departmental level
Identify program deficiencies and communicate recommendations and potential solutions to Research Nurse Managers
Approach challenging situations constructively and support effective resolutions
Assist in SOP development and implementation of guidelines and processes that improve efficiency and research program operations
Support continuous process improvement initiatives and overall research program effectiveness
Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION

Required: Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree Nursing.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required: Two years Registered Nurse experience.
Preferred: One year Research Nurse experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required: RN – Registered Nurse State of Texas Professional Nursing License (RN).
Required: BLS – Basic Life Support or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Preferred: ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification as required by patient care area.
Preferred: PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification as required by patient care area.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information