Research Project Manager

About the Role

The Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Research Project Manager to implement the day-to-day activities of a new research project focused on developing and evaluating communication strategies regarding translational molecular therapies for rare diseases. The study will assess views of key stakeholder communities (patients and families, treating clinicians, patient groups, investigators, biopharma, policymakers, journalists, and the public) and develop and test communication strategies to refine message content, identify optimal messengers, and explore delivery formats.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project startup and site startup activities.
• Facilitate multi-sectoral stakeholder meetings, discussions on communication needs and preferences, and co-design workshops to generate health messages for a variety of audiences.
• Conduct data collection using focus groups, surveys, and experiments among key audiences.
• Prepare study intervention protocols, initial IRB applications, amendments, continuing review reports, annual project reports, regulatory submissions, and other reports as needed.
• Assist with analysis and reports on study results at scientific meetings and preparation of manuscripts.
• Coordinate with internal and external grant management staff, research vendors, and research participants.
• Plan weekly meetings with investigators and project staff.
• Notify the PI of issues affecting and relating to study progress and timeline.
• Work with investigators to ensure data collection according to protocol, coordinate data systems, and maintain required study documentation.
• Provide information relevant to budget decisions and assist with processing budget forms under the supervision of the PI.
• Perform other project-related duties as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences such as psychology, public health, communication, or related disciplines is required.
• 3+ years of experience in conducting and/or managing externally funded research projects.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences such as psychology, public health, communication, or related disciplines (strongly preferred).
• Research project management experience in health communication research projects.
• Experience working directly with community advisory boards (CABs) or stakeholder advisory boards (SABs) from multiple sectors such as clinicians, patients and caregivers, patient advocates, and journalists.
• Experience co-designing health messages with a variety of audiences and community stakeholders for message testing.
• Facilitating community and/or stakeholder advisory discussions, documenting qualitative and quantitative feedback, summarizing inputs from advisors, and documenting reports from CABs.
• Conducting or assisting in data collection and participant recruitment using mixed methods in formative research of health messages, including focus groups, interviews, A/B testing, discrete choice experiments, and/or randomized controlled experiments of message stimuli.
• Scientific writing experience, including peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations (e.g., conference talks and posters).
• Experience preparing IRB protocol applications, budget preparation, and coordinating data collection activities for human subjects research.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, ability to work independently, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Experience supervising and mentoring research assistants, interns, and students.

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits. Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition Assistance: Exceptional tuition benefits for you, your spouse, and dependent children at Penn and other institutions.
• Retirement Plans: Generous retirement plans allowing pre-tax or Roth savings with a variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Substantial paid time off for vacations, personal affairs, illness, or injury.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Coverage for long-term care services at home, in the community, or in a nursing facility for you and eligible family members.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Programs and resources to support work-life balance, including flexible work hours and professional development opportunities.
• Professional and Personal Development: Access to resources for advancing personal and professional growth.
• University Resources: Access to libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, and cultural and recreational activities.
• Discounts and Special Services: Discounts on arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, and other goods and services.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Forgivable loans for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia.
• Adoption Assistance: Reimbursement for qualified expenses related to the legal adoption of an eligible child.

Pay

$58,506.00 - $70,000.00 Annual Rate. Salary offers are based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with external market and internal peer data.

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania