Research Program Manager

Department:

Peds-Genetics and Metabolism-412010

Career Area :

Research Professionals

Posting Open Date:

03/18/2025

Application Deadline:

04/01/2025

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title:

Research Program Manager

Appointment Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number:

20069772

Vacancy ID:

NF0009017

Full Time/Part Time:

Full-Time Permanent

FTE:

1

Hours per week:

40

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

$82,000 – $92,000

Proposed Start Date:

04/28/2025

Be a Tar Heel:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.

OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.

OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.

Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.

Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

Position Summary:

This position will serve as a Research Program Manager within the Dr. Joseph Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center (Muenzer MPS Center) in the Division of Genetic and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics. The Muenzer MPS Center is focused on improving the outcomes of individuals with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) and their families and developing new treatments. The Muenzer MPS Center team is dedicated to developing new treatments for children and adults with MPS, a group of ultra rare genetic disorders, including clinical trials to test new forms of intravenous enzyme replacement therapy as well as novel therapies, such as gene therapy and intrathecal drug delivery.

The Muenzer MPS Center (Director Dr. Joseph Muenzer) offers an exciting opportunity for a Research Program Manager to become an integral part of this fast growing and successful team. You will work directly with the PIs (Dr. Joseph Muenzer and Dr. Elizabeth Jalazo) and with the Director of MPS Clinical Research (Lindsay Torrice, CPNP) on our clinical trials delivering novel therapeutics to children/adults with MPS and other lysosomal storage disorders. This is a highly rewarding job working with our interdisciplinary and collaborative team of physicians, advanced practice providers, research staff, and dedicated health professionals, who love working with children and adults with rare genetic disorders and are dedicated to improving their health and quality of life.

The Research Program Manager is responsible for the planning, organization, conducting, and evaluation of multi-faceted clinical research protocols, including study execution, developing strategies and solutions to improve study processes and execution, providing reviews of other team members' work product, and serving as mentor/leader to research team staff. The Research Program Manager will serve as the first point of contact within the leadership team for research staff members. The Research Program Manager will coordinate and oversee onboarding of new research staff and training of current staff on changes to team guidelines/practices as necessary. The Research Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the research coordinator and research nurse teams. They will facilitate weekly team meetings for all providers/staff and may lead study team meetings in the absence of the respective Senior Coordinator. They will be responsible for following and disseminating relevant institutional updates and education opportunities. They will serve as the Laboratory Safety Supervisor for the Muenzer MPS Center. They will assign study visit responsibilities and work with Senior Nurse/Coordinators to ensure equitable/manageable distribution of effort within and across study teams. The Research Program Manager will serve as supervisor for a subset of SHRA/EHRA employees within the Muenzer MPS Center and, in collaboration with the Director of MPS Clinical Research, will manage/approve time off requests for all research staff.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to work and communicate with diverse populations effectively and professionally. Ability to work independently as well as function as part of a team. Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Clinical research experience in Phase I, II and/or Phase III clinical trials. Knowledge of clinical research and the fundamentals of regulatory practices relevant to clinical research.

Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited guidance.

Demonstrated leadership experience and strong organizational skills.

Ability to identify needs and develop and implement improvements, including development of SOPs.

Experience in study start-up activities, including development of source documentation, working with external vendors and internal units/departments to ensure compliance with protocol and applicable regulations

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Preference will be given for previous experience with therapeutic clinical research involving drugs/medications for mucopolysaccharidoses.

Preference will be given for Master's degree in a discipline related to the field assigned.

Familiarity with academic research structures, preferably the organization of the UNC School of Medicine.

Strong attention to detail and ability to communicate complicated issues effectively.

Experience in developing and executing laboratory safety plans and staff onboarding plans.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.

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