Research Manager

Job Description

The Department of Surgery is seeking a Research Manager to oversee laboratory and research operations supporting the immuno-oncology program led by Dr. Venu Pillarisetty. This position manages scientific, administrative, and operational functions for a dynamic research team investigating tumor immunology and novel immunotherapy approaches for pancreatic and other solid organ cancers. The Research Manager provides leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating research studies, while ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements.

The portfolio for this position includes oversight of multiple research efforts supported by federal and philanthropic sources.

The areas of responsibility of this position fall into these categories:

• Lab and Research Project Management (50%)
• Research and Laboratory Oversight (30%)
• Administrative and Fiscal Oversight (20%)

The individual in this position will report to Dr. Pillarisetty and will collaborate with Division of Research Leadership. The position will supervise up to 2 FTE of professional staff.

Position Complexities:

This position oversees and manages a growing and diverse portfolio of research projects supported by Department of Defense and philanthropic funding sources. The Research Manager must oversee complex research and laboratory operations requiring both technical expertise and strong organizational skills The Manager supervises professional staff, collaborates with postdoctoral fellows, and trainees in a high-volume lab environment while ensuring compliance with institutional, biosafety, and IACUC standards.

The position also requires balancing daily operational demands with strategic planning for the expansion of the immunotherapy research program. This position will coordinate with the Division of Research as an administrative home. Success requires navigating across laboratory, clinical, and administrative settings, ensuring high-quality science while maintaining efficiency, compliance, and sustainability of the program.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI):

The Department of Surgery strives to dismantle systemic racism, eliminate healthcare disparities, and promote health equity in our work. Racism and intolerance have no place in our community. We celebrate our multitude of intersecting identities and commit to the ongoing effort of creating an inclusive and supportive workplace climate.

Department Core Competencies

All staff in the Department of Surgery are asked to demonstrate and develop the following core competencies:

• Quality Focus: strives to deliver the best possible service and results, and continuously seeks opportunities for improvement.
• • Key attributes: accuracy, customer service, continuous improvement, problem-solving, and self-development
• Planning & Organization: completes work in a timely, efficient, and resourceful manner
• • Key attributes: priority setting, efficiency, resourcefulness, adaptability and flexibility, organizational awareness, and initiative
• Teamwork & Relationship Building: builds and fosters positive working relationships with others to achieve shared objectives.
• • Key attributes: collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, recognition, accountability, and integrity
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: values and honors diverse experiences and perspectives, strives to create welcoming and respectful work environments including dismantling structures of oppression, and promotes and contributes to a culture of access, opportunity, and justice.
• • Key attributes: respect, cultural humility, inclusiveness, advocacy, and commitment

Position Dimensions and Impact to the University:

The Department of Surgery is among the largest clinical departments within the School of Medicine, and its strategic and financial impact on UW Medicine are disproportionately greater than the size of the department. The department has grown substantially over the last 3-4 years, by about 25% - and we continue to appropriately, but rapidly, add faculty, programs, and staff. As of January 2025, the Department composition is 151 paid professorial track academic faculty located at all the UW clinical sites; 161 clinical faculty located throughout the community and WWAMI region; Four (4) ACGME residency programs (General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vascular Surgery) with 107 residents in these four programs. 20 ACGME and Research Fellowships; 150 Administrative and Research staff. More information about the Department of Surgery can be found at .

How this Position Contributes:

This position contributes to the Department of Surgery's mission by advancing translational cancer research that informs clinical care, mentoring trainees and staff to support educational goals, and ensuring efficient and compliant use of research funding. By bridging Dr. Pillarisetty' s laboratory with the Division of Research the Research Manager strengthens the Department's capacity for innovation in surgical oncology and immunotherapy

Position Duties & Responsibilities:

Lab and Research Project Management (50%)

• Oversee and manage research projects and activities across multiple federal and philanthropic funding sources.
• Track milestones, prepare operational updates, and deliver sponsor reports.
• Support regulatory submissions
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals, progress reports, and renewals in collaboration with Dr. Pillarisetty and Division of Research staff.
• Contribute to manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations, ensuring dissemination of research findings.

Research and Laboratory Oversight (30%)

• Direct daily operations of the immuno-oncology laboratory, including experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
• Maintain lab infrastructure, equipment, and biospecimen repositories.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols.
• Provide technical expertise across research methods.
• Supervise and mentor staff, postdoctoral fellows, and trainees in laboratory techniques and scientific rigor.

Administrative and Fiscal Oversight (20%)

• Oversee budgets across funding sources, monitoring expenditures and reconciling accounts.
• Coordinate fiscal reporting and compliance activities with the Division of Research administrative team.
• Ensure sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements are consistently met.
• Support long-term strategic planning for growth of the immunotherapy research program.

Minimum Requirements:

• BA or BS in immunology, molecular biology, oncology, or a related scientific discipline
• Minimum 4 years' of progressively responsible experience managing basic (bench-based) research projects.

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated expertise in immunology, tumor biology, or translational cancer research.
• Experience supervising laboratory staff, postdoctoral fellows, and trainees.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work across laboratory, clinical, and administrative teams.
• Familiarity with biosafety, IACUC, and institutional compliance processes.
• Experience supporting grant applications, sponsor progress reports, and scientific manuscripts.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently under deadline pressures and changing priorities.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and adaptability in fast-paced research settings.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in supervision and team management.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications:

• MA or PhD in immunology, molecular biology, oncology, or related field, strongly preferred.
• Advanced technical expertise in molecular and cellular immunology methods, tissue culture, animal models, and biorepository management.
• Prior experience writing or contributing to funded federal or philanthropic grants.
• Record of contributing to peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across basic science and clinical research teams.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to work primarily on-site at UWMC-Montlake
• May require occasional travel between UW Medicine and Division of Research sites.
• Flexibility to adjust to evolving project priorities and timelines across multiple funding sources.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$84,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$114,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .

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