Job Opportunity - Cohort Research Manager, BC Centre on Substance Use

SUMMARY 
Reporting to the Principal Investigators (PI) of the VIDUS, ACCESS and ARYS prospective cohort studies, the Cohort Research Manager is responsible for leading and supporting cohort research. Funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, these cohort studies represent some of the longest-running and largest prospective cohort studies of community-recruited people who use drugs in the world. Under the supervision of the cohort PIs, the Cohort Manager oversees research and safety protocols and systems to ensure the effective and ethical collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination of cohort data. Specifically, the Cohort Research Manager: is responsible for cohort research ethics applications; interfaces with the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) for data management and programing as well as biorepository operations; oversees biorepository operations; represents the cohorts in external cross-cohort collaborations (e.g., the Collaborating Consortium of Cohorts Producing NIDA Opportunities); interfaces with external and internal investigators who intend to use the cohort data or conduct a sub-study and leads administration and reporting related to data sharing and transfer of biological samples (including research ethics approvals and compliance); leads and develops data sharing agreements for external data linkages; supports grant development and manages reporting requirements; supports the development of protocols for new data capture systems and measures; undertakes manuscript submissions, and manages tracking of cohort-related publications and grants; interfaces with BCCSU Communications Lead and contributes to cohort knowledge translation activities; oversees cohort-related finance; and supports cohort related human resources.

SKILLS 

            • Strong project management skills and experience, including managing research organizations. 

            • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment under deadlines.

            • Excellent ability to work and learn independently with minimal supervision and ability to collaborate in a larger team. 

            • In depth knowledge with the concepts of prospective cohort research and prospective cohort research design. 

            • Computer literacy including experience in Microsoft Office suite and reference management tools (e.g., EndNote, Zotero) 

            • Knowledge of electronic data capture system is an asset. 

            • Ability to take initiative including independent thinking and creative problem-solving to implement project plans and realize project completion. 

            • Exceptional organization, planning, analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail. 

            • Advanced knowledge of research ethics principles, ethical research best practices and ethics reporting procedures for behavioural research ethics boards as they pertain to observational research among vulnerable and marginalized populations. 

            • Familiarity with working environment Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 

            • Highly developed analytical and critical thinking skills. 

            • Excellent written and spoken communication and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with external service providers, community groups, and other healthcare decision makers. 

            • Familiarity with grant and manuscript submission processes, and both local and federal funding sources and working with granting agencies. 

            • Familiarity with budget development and working across government and agencies from development to execution. 

            • Familiarity with provincial and national privacy and data sharing legislation.

EDUCATION 

            • A Master’s degree in an area relevant to health or other relevant scientific discipline.

            • Minimum two (2) to five (5) years’ experience working in an academic research environment as a research coordinator or research assistant. 

            • Minimum of two (2) to five (5) years of experience working with local community clinics, organizations and populations of people who use drugs. 

            • Experience in conducting and/or managing interdisciplinary local, regional and national research. 

            • Previous experience working with local and/or national or international research ethics boards. 

            • Academic research background in substance use and addictions research is preferred. 

            • TCPS-2 Ethics certification is a requirement.

DUTIES 

1. With support from cohort research and nurse coordinators, ensures cohort research ethics applications are in place with PHC, UBC and SFU Research Ethics Offices and ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulations. 
2. Manages procurement and cost-sharing agreements for cohort study supplies (e.g., urine drug screen testing, HCV testing, HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing).
3. Monitors cohort study progress, including but not limited to recruitment and retention of participants, participant safety monitoring and reporting. 
4. Oversees cohort biorepository operations by ensuring that the standard operating procedures, research ethics requirements, and any other requirements from the funder (U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse) are adhered to and updated in accordance with best practice standards, and supporting the PIs’ decision making process and administrative procedures for an external investigator’s use of biospecimen (e.g., handling material transfer agreements). 
5. Interface with HLI (Heart and Lung Institute) for data management, programing and biorepository operations, including monitoring costs. 
6. Ensures development, implementation and adherence to standard research operating procedures related to data programming, data quality, and data storage, safety and protection. 
7. Represents the cohorts in external cross-cohort collaborations (e.g., C3PNO) in terms of research operations. 
8. Supports cohort research collaborations and interfaces with external and internal investigators who intend to use cohort data or conduct a sub-study and leads administration and reporting related to data sharing and transferring of biological samples (including research ethics approvals, MoUs, and compliance). 
9. Supports, facilitates and manages data sharing agreements for external data linkages (e.g., with BC Ministry of Health, PopData BC, Health Authorities). 
10. Supports the development of protocols for new study measures and data capture systems. 
11. Supports grant development and manages reporting requirements for peer reviewed funding to funding agencies and universities as needed and communicates with study sponsors, as required. 
12. Undertakes manuscript submissions, and manages tracking of cohort-related publications and grants. 
13. Oversees cohort-related finances within the context of funding agency guidelines, operational demands and resource constraints and uses best practice methods to thoroughly monitor and adhere to allocated budgets, including: interface with BCCSU, PHC, UBC and SFU finance; responsible for understanding all relevant fiscal policies and procedures of universities, BCCSU/PHC and funding agencies, and ensuring that requirements and protocols are met; monitors burn rates and account balances, provides budget forecasts, supports the cost-effective operation of grant funds, and provides regular fiscal updates and plans to maximize research capabilities within available recourses. 
14. Supports cohort related human resources including: interfaces with BCCSU, PHC, UBC and SFU HR; supports onboarding of new hires (in collaboration with cohort research coordinators and BCCSU research project manager); provides feedback to PIs on staff performance and assists in determination of annual salary progression evaluations. 
15. Collaborates with BCCSU Communications Lead and cohort research coordinators, and contributes to cohort knowledge translation activities as well as other community engagement activities (e.g., community advisory board). 
16. Represents cohort studies on BCCSU committees related to shared resources including, but not limited to, data management, research space and human resource needs. 
17. With support from cohort research and nurse coordinators as well as others, develops and maintains standard operating procedures documents for the cohorts, including keeping track of any significant changes in the operations. 
18. Establishes positive working relationships and partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders, including BCCSU, PHC, UBC, SFU, HLI, C3PNO, funding agencies, researchers, healthcare providers, community partners and policy stakeholders as appropriate. 
19. Keeps abreast of relevant scientific literature in the field of substance use. 
20. Engages in training and educational opportunities as appropriate. 
21. On call as required. 
22. Performs other related duties as required. 

APPLY 
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