Program Coordinator, Cancer Research and Training

About the Role

The Coordinator supports a portfolio of programs and activities at the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) that advance cancer research and training initiatives. This role involves the implementation, coordination, administration, tracking, monitoring, and evaluation of education, training, and research support programs aligned with Cancer Center priorities.

Responsibilities

• Training and Education
  • Coordinate and administer education, training, and workforce development programs across the cancer career continuum (high school to faculty levels), spanning basic, translational, clinical, and population science.
  • Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of cancer-focused education and training initiatives, including experiential summer programs, undergraduate research training, faculty leadership and mentorship development, and educational activities such as journal clubs, seminars, symposia, lectures, and workshops.
  • Collect and organize program information to identify gaps in the training pathway and coordinate new initiatives to address these gaps.
  • Ensure integration of education and training activities across the Cancer Center’s three Research Programs, eight Shared Resource units, the Community Outreach and Engagement Office, and the Sue & Ralph Stern Center for Cancer Clinical Trials & Research.
  • Engage faculty, trainees, and institutional partners to expand participation and strengthen interdisciplinary training opportunities.
  • Align education, training, and workforce development activities with Cancer Center strategic priorities, NIH expectations, and NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) requirements.
• Research Oversight and Support
  • Provide administration and operations for programs and initiatives supporting cancer research activities, services, training grants, and collaborative funding opportunities.
  • Assist with coordination of cancer-focused training and research funding mechanisms, including T32 programs, R25 initiatives, ACS-IRG, ACS-DICR, and related research support services.
  • Support logistics and coordination for programs and resources that enhance research activities, services, and collaborative/multidisciplinary cancer research funding proposals.
  • Coordinate and provide administrative support for activities that strengthen research and grant competitiveness, including pilot support, mentoring structures, proposal development, and coordination with institutional research development service units.
  • Track and monitor program performance, funding outcomes, and alignment with Cancer Center research priorities.
• Program Evaluation, Tracking, and Outcomes Monitoring
  • Assist in maintaining systems to monitor participation, outcomes, and program impact across research and training initiatives.
  • Coordinate data collection and documentation to support tracking and monitoring of trainee progression across the cancer career pipeline, including academic advancement, publications, funding success, and career placement.
  • Track, monitor, and organize program metrics to inform program improvement and decision-making.
  • Assist in preparing reports, summaries, and documentation for leadership, university units (e.g., Office of Research, School of Medicine), advisory committees, and external funding agencies, including materials supporting NCI CCSG and training grant reporting requirements.

Requirements

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across UC Irvine and the Health System with leadership, faculty, staff, and students.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Proficiency in common organization- or research-specific computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills in English, both verbal and written, to engage with all levels of leadership, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of organizational processes, protocols, and procedures, as well as pertinent policies, regulations, and requirements of the University of California, State, Federal, and other external agencies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to implement creative solutions to complex problems.
• Strong skills in analyzing, researching, and synthesizing large amounts of data for preparing sound and relevant proposals/analyses with attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task under demanding timeframes and meet deadlines.
• Experienced program and project management skills, with demonstrated attention to detail.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• A minimum of 4-6 years of progressively responsible experience in an academic research environment, medical center, community non-profit setting, or other large matrix organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional certification, Lean Six Sigma certification, or similar certification.
• 4-6 years of experience in higher education, preferably within the UC system.
• 4-6 years of experience with large multidisciplinary, multi-component research grants (e.g., Cancer Center Support Grant).

Benefits

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks.

Conditions of Employment

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) requires compliance with several conditions of employment for all applicants who accept an offer, including but not limited to:

• Background check and Live Scan.
• Employment misconduct disclosure.
• Legal right to work in the United States.
• Vaccination policies.
• Smoking and tobacco policy.
• Drug-free environment.
• Additional conditions may apply based on business unit or job-specific requirements, such as California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, E-Verify, and pre-placement health evaluation.