Research Program Supervisor

Job Title: Research Program Supervisor

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to supervise research staff at the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU) and assist with the overall functioning of research projects and study team members. This role will be accountable for staff and resource management and must have exceptional time management and organizational skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise Research Coordinators and Assistants
• Complete 120-day evaluations and Annual Performance Reviews
• Recruit, interview, and hire research staff, submit and monitor requisitions for new hires, conduct reference checks
• Prepare documents and space for new employees (e.g., phone lines, email, office space, keys)
• Provide initial and ongoing training to staff, including updating and maintaining RA orientation and training
• Recommend and provide trainings to staff on procedures, ensure trainings are up-to-date, and develop trainings to address the changing landscape of research
• Advocate and provide support and guidance to the research staff, serve as mediator in disagreements, and recommend solutions
• Plan and support employees in career development opportunities, design events, and promote opportunities for personal growth and development
• Document performance issues and serve as the liaison to human resources for the disciplinary process
• Monitor workload and recommend changes in staffing efforts and delegate appropriately, coordinate with the office manager to ensure staff have salary support and rotate staff as needed
• Notify investigators of RA performance (includes areas where improvement is needed)
• Routinely implement and edit policies and procedures, new hire orientation materials, and job descriptions to improve clarity and workflow
• Run monthly RA and RPC meetings - prepare agenda and address group concerns, invite faculty members to present research and career story
• Attend trainings, classes, and events to promote the BPRU and grow personally and professionally. Share information, techniques, and tools with staff as applicable.
• Update and maintain BPRU Shared Resources – BPRU Organizational Chart, BPRU Phone List, BPRU E-mail List, study/staff reference lists
• Update and maintain email addresses, email groups, and list-serves on Sympa portal
• Fulfill staff clearance requests - email, key requests, and badge access
• Fulfill and document all parking voucher requests. Replenish parking voucher supply as needed.
• Submit and follow-up on BPRU maintenance requests
• Plan and coordinate staff engagement events – CPDD Week, informational sessions, employee appreciation initiatives
• Student Internship Program – attend weekly meetings, create and revise policies and procedures, interview and conduct orientations with new students, complete routine check-in meetings with students to monitor performance and program satisfaction
• Coordinate with Clinical Engineering to ensure completion of annual PM checks on BPRU medical equipment
• Organize and purge office spaces to maximize space, safety, and efficiency
• Assist Technical Supervisor with clean-up and recycling of dated equipment
• Serve as a BPRU point of contact for special projects and events (e.g., building renovations)

Research Functions:

• Supervise the conduct of studies to guarantee the normal development of the research activities (recruitment, enrollment, follow-ups), reporting weekly progress to fulfill study goals in a timely manner
• Coordinate participant visits and follow-up, schedule appointments with study participants, track and locate participants alongside with recruitment and telephone pre-screening as necessary
• Monitor staff in regard to their adherence to protocols for the recruitment of participants and delivery of study procedures to participants
• Train and supervise existing and new research assistants and/or students. Assign visits to RAs, track visit completion, inform them of upcoming scheduled clinic appointments
• Ensure proper written informed consent from each study participant is obtained prior to entering the study and that the original signed and dated consent form for each participant is filed in the research record
• Manage study procedures concerns and/or issues that arise during visit assessments
• Troubleshoot participant difficulties with assessment completion
• Provide Investigators a weekly study status report covering recruitment and retention of participants and other ongoing study issues
• Make recommendations for and oversee resolutions to new/outstanding operational issues
• Be knowledgeable of the protocol so that study activities are completed correctly and completely
• Work with principal investigator and co-investigators to develop and implement a manual of procedures that includes recruitment tools and strategies. Create protocol-specific data collection forms
• Prepare site IRBs, DSMB, sponsor reports, and subcontract documents. Coordinate serious adverse event reporting with the investigators to ensure prompt reporting to the IRB, DSMB, and study sponsor
• Serve as the point-of-contact and liaison between multiple collaborators and disciplines, including physicians, clinic administrative staff, schools, lab facilities, and pharmacies
• Schedule investigator, data management, and other study-specific meetings, including developing agendas, reports, and minutes
• Establish and follow a protocol for tracking, quality control, and maintenance of study equipment. Place study supply orders
• Upload device data to server and/or input, organize, edit, and verify accuracy of data in databases in a timely fashion
• Assist the data management team with resolution of data inconsistencies and maintaining protocol statistics
• Run pre-established queries and develop ad-hoc queries/reports as requested
• Understand the importance/impact of data integrity regarding honest reporting of sensitive and confidential patient information
• Adhere to guidelines regarding the sensitivity and confidential nature of patient information
• Work independently and under the direction of the Principal Investigator to ensure successful completion of the clinical research study
• Exercise good judgment, tact, and sensitivity at all times while working in a busy hospital clinic environment
• Assist investigators in the Hiring/Termination process
• Track that study research staff are in compliance with HR, IRB, and other regulatory trainings and certifications
• Assist with oversight and maintenance of petty cash account and funds for research protocol

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related discipline required
• Two years related experience in research required
• Some supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula*

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to work in a team dynamic and troubleshoot programmatic issues
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent oral communication skills to deal effectively within and outside the department
• Excellent written communications skills
• Skilled in computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn about the work of the department as well to acquire new technical skills as needed
• Excellent organizational skills to work effectively in an environment that requires balancing multiple assignments
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals at all levels and from diverse cultures

Physical Requirements:

• Able to sit in a normal seated position for extended periods
• Able to reach by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction
• Finger dexterity required, able to manipulate objects with fingers rather than entire hand(s) or arm(s), e.g., use of computer keyboard
• Communication skills using the spoken word
• Ability to see within normal parameters
• Ability to hear within normal range

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Up to 25 casual, part-time, and full-time research staff

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