Sr. Specialist, Research Operations and Strategy

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Lindau Lab is seeking an Operations professional to support all aspects of scientific research and programmatic activities. The role involves ensuring regulatory compliance, writing proposals, and coordinating with internal teams and external partners in a dynamic lab environment.

The position reports to the Associate Director of Research Operations and Strategy, with responsibilities spanning budget planning, contract management, and dissemination of research

Qualifications

• Education: college or university degree in a related field.
• Minimum 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Masters degree preferred; experience in managing research personnel.

Responsibilities

• Execute the Lindau Lab’s grant operations plans and help meet externally funded deliverables and goals.
• Oversee lab space, facilities, equipment, purchasing, and HR activities.
• Develop and manage web and digital content; disseminate research findings.
• Assist with budgets, contracts, and proposal development; manage relationships with partners.

Job description

Department BSD OBG - Lindau Lab - Operations

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.

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

Education: 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. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: Masters degree. Experience: 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.

Job Family

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. 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. The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/