Sr. Specialist, Research Operations and Strategy

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lindau Lab at The University of Chicago is seeking an Operations professional to support complex grant operations, budgets, and strategic initiatives. This role works with a cross-disciplinary team to ensure compliance, develop proposals, and manage contracts with vendors and partners.

Ideal candidates bring 2–5 years in research support, a Masters degree, strong communication, and proven project management capabilities within a university research environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Masters degree.
• Experience in effective support, management and training of research personnel.
• Experience in and track record of success with identification, development and writing of federal and other funding proposals.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience working in a research environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute the Lindau Lab’s grant operations plans and help develop the overall plan to meet externally funded deliverables and organizational goals.
• Oversee the management of lab space, facilities, equipment, purchasing, human subjects compensation, and HR activities.
• Contribute to dissemination through web and digital content.
• Assist leadership in community-engaged research strategies.
• Build and maintain partnerships across the University and with external collaborators.
• Present operational, strategic, scientific and programmatic findings in public forums.
• Enable translation and implementation of novel research and operations methods in diverse settings.
• Assist with developing Lindau Lab's operational plan and financial strategy.
• Assist with budgeting, multi-year forecasts, and grant budgets.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Initiative

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Masters degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

About The Department

The Lindau Laboratory at The University of Chicago is an interdisciplinary, team-based laboratory performing human-level observational, interventional, and health services research motivated by a fundamental concern for the principle of justice in health and health care. The lab, funded predominantly by agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for more than 15 years, employs about 20 full and part-time researchers and staff across disciplines including epidemiology, gerontology, anthropology, neurobiology, cancer biology, public health, and data science. The lab routinely collaborates across disciplines, departments, and with investigators at other institutions including experts in the fields of computer science, geriatrics, oncology, public health, social services administration, psychology, neuroscience, materials science, engineering and other medical and social science fields. The work of the lab focuses in two main areas: 1) preservation and treatment of female sexual function in the context of aging, cancer and other common diseases and 2) social determinants of health, with a particular concern for women and older adults living in socioeconomically marginalized communities. Our research and programmatic activities include Bionic Breast, WomanLab, Feed1st and CommunityRx. The Lab has spun out two companies: Now Pow, LLC (acquired by Unite USA, Inc. in 2021) and MAPSCorps, 501c3 (joined Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy in 2023), both originally headquartered in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL.

BSD OBG - Lindau Lab - Operations

Job Summary

The job supports all aspects of scientific research and programmatic projects and scientific research and programmatic facilities. Uses considerable on-the-job experience to ensure compliance of research and programmatic activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies. Works independently to write proposals, presentations, web content, articles, reports and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/or conferences. This role reports to the Associate Director of Research Operations and Strategy, collaborates internally with a team of researchers responsible for scientific research projects and research operations, collaborates externally with departmental, divisional and institutional peers including (but not limited to) departmental administrators, HR professionals, procurement, event planning, marketing and communications, event planning, maintains relationships with external partners including researchers and vendors and may manage lab staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Execute the Lindau Lab’s grant operations plans and play a key role in developing and implementing the overall plan to meet externally funded deliverables and organizational goals.
• Oversee the management of lab space, facilities, equipment, purchasing, human subjects compensation, and human resources activities.
• Contribute to dissemination activities through the development, maintenance and management of web and other digital content.
• Assist leadership in the implementation of community-engaged research strategies and activities.
• Build and maintain partnerships across the University and with external collaborators, including community leaders and residents.
• Independently present operational, strategic, scientific and programmatic findings in public forums.
• Independently enable translation and implementation of novel research and operations methods and interventions in diverse settings.
• Assists with the development and execution of Lindau Lab's operational plan and play a key role in developing and implementing the organization’s overall financial and business strategy.
• Assist with planning, developing, analyzing and managing budgets, including developing multi-year budget forecasts.
• Support budget management for grants including centralized internal controls, budget development, and financial reporting and analysis.
• Oversee the review, approval, tracking and reporting of all expenditures on physical plant, goods and services.
• Conduct research on grant and business opportunities and assist with proposal development processes.
• Assist with the development and management of all contracts, including those with vendors, consultants and subcontracts with other institutions.
• Work closely with department pre- and post-award management professionals and the University Research Administration on proposal submission and award management.
• Assist with the development and implementation of strategic projects in women’s health, entrepreneurship, and population sciences.
• Provide executive calendar management and scheduling support to the Principle Investigator, including coordination of related lab activities.
• Assist and support all activities of the Lindau Lab as needed to achieve success.
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Education

• Masters degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in effective support, management and training of research personnel.
• Experience in and track record of success with identification, development and writing of federal and other funding proposals.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience working in a research environment .

Preferred Competencies

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new subject matter quickly.
• Superior time management and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated project leadership skills.
• Ability to collaborate with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Mastered proficiency of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe internet navigation and electronic communication skills.

Working Conditions

• Office and Lab.
• Remote work from home office in Chicago as permitted .

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$60,000.00 - $80,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

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.

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