Senior Research Program Coordinator

Summary:

The Health Equity Across the Lifespan inVirginia Lab (HEAL-VA Lab) in the VCU Department of African American Studiesseeks an enthusiastic and detail-oriented individual to join our team as aSenior Research Program Coordinator. The Senior Research Program Coordinatorwill be pivotal in managing and coordinating all research and researchdevelopment activities within the HEAL-VA lab, ensuring alignment with theoverarching goals of each project. This position is comprised primarily ofcoordinating Lab Research Activities and coordinating Research Training Program Activities. Thisremote/hybrid position is grant-funded and offers an exciting opportunity tocontribute to cutting-edge research initiatives aimed at advancing healthequity and social justice.

Responsibilities will include coordinating activities that span acrossvarious stages of several research projects, from pre-proposal development todissemination of findings. The Senior Research Program Coordinator will play acrucial role in research support staff training and supervision. This positionwill provide support to the Director of HEAL-VA by coordinating a program aimedat enhancing the career development, skills, and competency of health equityinvestigators. This position will act as a liaison between senior investigatorsand program applicants by assisting with the development of and coordinatingmentoring and training for pilot award applicants and grantees, guiding them towardssuccessful grant submissions and subsequent project implementation andpublication. This position will liaise with the senior investigators to refineapplicant’s research proposals aligning with the program goals, contribute tothe development of project-related websites, and assist in developingrecruitment materials and refining training resources. The Senior ResearchProgram Coordinator will provide support to applicants in order to assist inskill development and competency building that ultimately enhances theircompetitiveness for grant funding. This position establishes methods andprocedures for attaining specific goals and objectives and receives guidance interms of broad goals. The successful candidate demonstrates:
•the ability to guide research project implementation;
•strong organizational skills with attention to detail;
•the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously;
•the adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic research environment;
•strong interpersonal skills;
•excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicatewith a wide variety of stakeholders;
•a willingness to learn and apply new skills;
•a commitment to excellence;
•the ability to work independently and in a team;
•is highly motivated, creative, critical thinking, resourceful, responsible,has a high level of integrity, collaborative, exhibits problem-solving skills;and
•is familiar with health equity and social justice concepts.

NOTE: The successful candidate understands that this is a restricted positionand ongoing employment depends on continued funding.

The VCU job series is Research Administrator in the Research and Innovation jobfamily for these positions. For more information, please see the VCU HumanResources’ Job Family and Salary Ranges site at

VCU combines learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with acommitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by News as one of the 30 “mostinnovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, publicresearch university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here yoursuccess is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers a robust benefitspackage that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holidayleave granted up front, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferredannuity and cash match programs, generous tuition benefit, employee discounts,well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development andadvancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here,

VCU is committed to hiring veterans VCU will add your military years ofservice to our leave plan. This may provide veterans with an increased leaveaccrual

Job-Specific Duties

CoordinateLab Research Activities . Coordinate all research and research developmentactivities within the HEAL-VA Lab. Coordinate research proposal developmentactivities to include reviewing RFAs, coordinating research team meetings,assisting in drafting and refining research proposals, facilitating budgetdevelopment and final submission. Coordinate and participate in activities toinclude research team and community partner meetings, assisting in thedevelopment of study protocols, obtaining human subjects approvals,recruitment, participant remuneration, data collection, cleaning, coding,analysis, interpretation, and dissemination. Track study progress and ensuringadherence to research protocols and ethical guidelines. Work with study team to develop and implementsecure systems for assuring the quality, confidentiality, and safety of thedata and maintain appropriate study-related documentation, records, anddatabases. Assist in providing training and supervision to support staffinvolved in research projects. Ensure staff competency in researchactivities and protocols. Supervise student research assistants. Assistin developing periodic reports for funding agencies that provide updates on theprogress and outcomes of research projects and the development of presentationsdelivered via seminars, professional meetings and conferences and scientificmanuscripts.

CoordinateResearch Training Program Activities . Coordinate grant training for pre- andpost-award grant training activities. Maintain grant training and updatecurricula in learning management system. Work with Arkansas and Virginia pilot grant-eligible institutions tobuild capacity for their faculty to apply and successfully compete for researchgrant awards. Monitor program-related communication channels and respond in atimely manner. Work with IDC PIs to problem-solve issues, develop appropriatesolutions, and assist PIs and/or research staff when needed. Assist indeveloping, adapting and updating web-based training modules, schedule grantcoaching and follow up sessions, and connect applicants with appropriatementors. Coordinate the submission of pilot grants; coordinate diverserecruitment of eligible postdocs and faculty to the pilot study program;coordinate and schedule training and follow up grants development sessionsvirtually to reach broad audience of candidates; assure that candidates receiveand complete pre-application assessments and post-tests; track applicant datausing online systems; manage performance outcomes and remediation plans withpilot applicants. Work with Director and pre-award grants management to scheduleand facilitate pilot grant review sessions as well as compile post reviewsession reports. Schedule weekly meetings with MPIs to provide updates on IDCprogress and facilitate deadlines within the Core. Coordinate meetings withMPIs and financial team to problem solve budget issues. Work with MPIs andEvaluation Manager to develop and implement evaluation tools. Provideevaluation data regularly to the evaluation manager, MPIs and/or Center staffto assess progress and challenges. Work with the Evaluation Manager toimplement a system for regular collection of data for evaluation. Provideregular updates to MPIs about the status of evaluation of the Core and problemsolve evaluation issues. Assist indeveloping periodic reports for funding agencies that provide updates on theprogress and outcomes of the program.

Otherduties may be assigned to this position.

Job-Specific Education and Experience

Minimum Hiring Standards
The successful candidate will possessthe following qualities:
•Master’s degree in health sciences, public health, social sciences or related field of study.
•Proficiency in qualitative research methods, procedures, and protocol development.
•Knowledge of human subjects research regulations.
•Experience in using project management software programs.
•Experience in research program development. 
•Grant writing experience. 
•Experience in developing curricula and training programs. 
•Experience in developing PowerPoint and other scientific presentations.
•Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, RedCap, or other qualitative data analysis program, Covidence, Excel, RISE and Articulate 360.

Job-Specific Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Physical Demands
Light lifting (