APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

Job Summary:

The Research Project Manager oversees and advises on research project operations including study methodologies, protocol development, project deliverables and timelines, data management and analysis plans, and financial administration; provides guidance and oversight to research team members; and serves as the project point of contact with faculty, sponsors, and leadership.

About the Unit:

The Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities (CAHE-RUC) is a unique academic and community partnership committed to the comprehensive evaluation and implementation of evidence-based, community-level strategies to improve health outcomes for rural and underserved communities. With locations in Chicago and Hershey CAHE-RUC tackles a variety of complex public health and health system issues that require multi-disciplinary and multi-methodological approaches to achieve outcomes that benefit individuals and whole communities.

The Pennsylvania State College of Medicine (and its academic partners, Penn State Health and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center) are committed to enhancing the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all. Penn State College of Medicine is part of an academic medical group that also includes: Penn State Health, a multi-hospital health system serving patients and communities across 29 counties in central Pennsylvania.

Essential Responsibilities:

Manage and Implement Center’s Research Projects

• Work directly with Research Director and leadership on key local state and national initiatives and research projects.
• Work directly with health system leadership and staff to implement evidence-based interventions within their health systems.
• Oversee and advise on research projects and investigative studies from study initiation to conclusion including study design, data collection and management plans, and IRB submissions.
• Develop surveys and interview guides using conceptual frameworks to ensure structured, theory-driven data collection.
• Design research project work-flow processes and project infrastructure; delegate, prioritize, and review research tasks in order to achieve research project goals and improve results.
• Participate in established and future research projects and assist with developing or amending study protocols, developing data collection tools, and building databases.
• Participate in the dissemination of program data, outcomes, and impact.
• Oversee data collection, data management and reporting methods; interpret and present complex data findings to department executives, external organizations, sponsors, and the larger research community.
• Conducts comprehensive literature reviews to support manuscript development, grant proposals, and the identification of innovative evaluation strategies.
• Research, evaluate, and advise investigators on research trends and other relevant resources.

Grant and Publication Management

• Assist in the development and writing of grant proposals
• Support and lead the writing of manuscripts, and publications.
• Prepare grant proposal and manage all components of the grant submission process, including identifying application requirements, coordinating responsibilities with the Principal Investigator (PI), and ensuring timely completion of all materials.
• Interface with external collaborators to direct and facilitate multi-site and collaborative research.
• Provide guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with government regulations and University research policies

Collaborate with team and leadership

• Build strategic partnerships among members, strengthen research initiatives and projects, and support financial planning.
• Provide training and guidance to program staff and interns.

• May supervise and provide guidance to one to two program staff including hiring, development, and performance management.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Center’s programs and contribute to planning.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated knowledge of cancer prevention, implementation science, and core public health principles, with experience in quality improvement and project management.
• Strong understanding of social determinants of health, including barriers to care at both community and health system levels.
• Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems
• Ability to function as part of a collaborative team while demonstrating initiative to achieve project’s goals and advance the Center’s mission.
• Strategic thinking skills including effecting planning, setting goals, monitoring progress, tracking results, and making appropriate adjustments to plans based on circumstances.  
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work simultaneously on multiple initiatives, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
• Effective organizational and time management skills with a high degree of attention to detail.
• Excellent written communications skills for grant proposals, reports, manuscripts, publications, and community education and communication materials.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills to facilitate multicultural, multi-generational community meetings, committee meetings, and programming, as well as one-on-one conversations with community leaders, funders, and decision-makers.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
• Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution
• Familiar with and prior experience using Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

 

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Master's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None

 

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 3+ years of professional experience in public health. 
• 3+ years of experience in research project management.
• Experience working with rural and underserved populations preferred.

 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, and the National Sex Offender Registry Clearance (NSOR). Additional clearances may be necessary if you resided outside of Pennsylvania in the past five years.

 

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

 

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,200.00 - $102,300.00.

 

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

 

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

 

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