Research Coordinator - (Oncology)

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is seeking a regular full-time Research Coordinator to support the Clinical Research Services team at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside/Pittsburgh, PA, and at the UPMC Magee Women’s Oncology Research program in Oakland/Pittsburgh, PA. This role supports various Oncology Disease Center program studies during Monday through Friday daylight hours.

The Clinical Research Services (CRS) team consists of nearly 200 staff members who facilitate the development, implementation, coordination, internal data monitoring, and completion of oncology-focused trials. These trials include institutional (investigator-initiated), multi-center cooperative group/National Clinical Trial Network (NCTN), consortium, and industry-sponsored trials. CRS provides study development and implementation assistance, FDA submissions, IRB processing, patient recruitment, study coordination, training, data collection, and specimen collection and processing.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for ensuring the effective use of CRS services by multiple Oncology program investigators involved in clinical research.
• Work with Principal Investigators (PIs) to address challenges in all phases of research, including developing recruitment plans, achieving institutional approvals, planning implementation, coordinating with clinical providers, and tracking accruals.
• Prepare reports on accruals, adverse events, and outcomes, and monitor progress with troubleshooting to address impediments.
• Develop tools to build community relationships for participant enrollment and create metrics for evaluating clinical research sites.
• Prepare evaluation reports summarizing site effectiveness and network processes such as protocol development and laboratory initiatives.
• Administer research questionnaires, collect, enter, and verify data, and assist in quality control procedures.
• Provide regulatory reviews and updates, write clinical study protocols and sample informed consent documents.
• Revise, renew, and maintain IRB approval, protocols, and consent forms for studies.
• Recruit subjects for ongoing and new research studies.
• Assist in hypothesis generation, data collection, analysis, presentation, and publication.
• Perform duties for approved research projects according to defined protocols, including data collection, recording, and storage.
• Follow research policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations and maintaining scientific integrity.
• Perform literature reviews and generate materials needed for future studies.
• Complete online IRB certification modules 1 and 2 (Research Practice Fundamentals).
• Design and implement evaluations of processes, including clinical site performance and laboratory processes.
• Manage the development and review process for manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations generated by the research group.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience and training, including experience in process evaluation or coordinating multiple aspects of research projects (e.g., study participant recruitment, assessment, and data collection).
• Master's degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately collect and store research data.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, staff, and investigators while maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Flexibility to work a schedule based on study needs.
• Oncology experience preferred.
• Regulatory experience preferred.

Qualifications

Act 34 clearance required.