Research Training Manager

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Boston, MASSACHUSETTS
Deadline: 14 Dec 2021

General Summary: 


The Research Training Manager is responsible for the day to day operation of the UMass Boston Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center U-54 Research Education Core (REC).  She/he manages three research training programs aimed at developing the next generation of scientists from underrepresented backgrounds who can assist in reducing the unequal burden of cancer—undergraduate/graduate (21-30 per year); post-baccalaureate (2 per year), and post-doctoral fellow (3 per year). The Manager is responsible for student recruitment and placement in U-54-related research experiences and cancer/cancer disparities-related experiences at UMass Boston and DF/HCC; mentor recruitment and training; research skills and career development; and student tracking and outcomes. The Manager works with the Outreach Core to ensure training provided by both cores is complementary and synergistic. She/he works with the Research Design and Analysis Core (RDAC) to implement the comprehensive system for tracking educational and career progress of trainees, to assess the impact of the training activities on student outcomes, and to evaluate the REC. The Research Training Manager is also responsible for the day to day administration of the Summer Program to Advance Research Careers (SPARC) which provides an intensive summer experience for students at the beginning of their undergraduate careers—UMB freshmen and sophomores and students from area community colleges—aimed at sparking their interest in research careers. In addition, she/he works collaboratively with other UMB research training and support programs (Bridges, IMSD, McNair, LSAMP), assisting with placing participating students in in DF/HCC labs and jointly providing of research skills workshops and career development activities.


 

Examples of Duties: 

  • Manage the day to day operations of the UMass Boston Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center U-54 Research Education Core and its three research education programs: undergraduate/graduate (20-30 students per year); post-baccalaureate (2-4 per year), and post-doctoral fellow (3 per year).
  • Broadly disseminate information regarding partnership-related cancer-related research training opportunities to UMB students and other eligible prospective candidates.  
  • Recruit, screen, and select students to participate in the Research Education Core training programs, SPARC, and other cancer-related research programs, specifically:
    • Undergraduate/Graduate Program: work with U-54 PI’s to identify undergraduate and graduate students to work on their research projects, hold information sessions, provide assistance with application preparation, and facilitate placement and project development.
    • Post-baccalaureate Program: recruit students who are completing or have recently completed their bachelor’s degree who have demonstrated an interest in cancer and cancer disparities research, have high levels of motivation to pursue doctoral study in a cancer/cancer disparities field, a strong academic record, and prior experience in research training; hold information sessions, provide assistance with application preparation, and manage applicant review process.
    • Post-doctoral Fellowship Program: work with the population science, nursing, and basic science mentor leads to recruit post-doctoral fellows; advertise in relevant scientific journals and network with relevant professional associations and doctoral programs; and manage applicant review process.
    • SPARC: recruit UMB freshmen and sophomores and community college students; hold information sessions/visit relevant classes, provide assistance with application preparation, and facilitate placement and project development.
  • Work with UMB and DF/HCC staff and faculty to recruit UMB and DF/HCC mentors to develop research experiences in their labs for students/trainees involved in the REC and SPARC programs, specifically, and for UMB students more generally. Facilitate ongoing communication with mentors and participants.
  • Work with the research mentors to supervise 2-4 post-baccalaureate students and 3 post-doctoral fellows and monitor student/trainee progress through coaching, site visits, participant and mentor reports and student interactions with mentors. Ensure that all trainees develop an Individual Development Plan in collaboration with their mentor(s) and that the plan is regularly discussed and is updated as needed.
  • Implement scientific and professional development programming during the summer and academic year to augment the hands-on research experiences of student trainees and fellows and further prepare them for research careers. 
  • Implement mentor training workshops and other activities, in collaboration with UMB science training programs, aimed at enhancing DF/HCC and UMB investigators’ mentoring skills. Work with the RDAC to assess the impact of these activities on the mentors and the students’ mentoring experiences.
  • In collaboration with the Post-Doctorate Office Consortium, disseminate information to post-doctoral fellows regarding career enhancement activities such as serving as career speakers, facilitation of journal clubs, guest lecturer, teaching and mentorship opportunities.
  • Ensure the U-54 training goals and outcome metrics are achieved and core services are delivered in a high quality manner.
  • Partner with the Research Design and Analysis Core (RDAC) to develop instruments and systems for data collection (application and profile sheets; surveys; academic and educational progress impact, and information on trainee/fellow publications, grants and fellowships) and analysis.
  • Budget planning and monitoring. Initiate personnel and financial transactions and ensure compliance with unit, university, state, and federal regulations and policies.
  • Prepare responses to requests from the National Cancer Institutes’ Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, including, but not limited to, annual progress reports and other requests related to information on trainees and early stage investigators.  
  • Assist with the preparation of articles on the impact of the UMB DF/HCC Partnership on the diversity of the biomedical workforce and on effective strategies for developing research scientists from underrepresented backgrounds for peer reviewed journals.
  • Assist with the preparation of grant proposals/philanthropic requests to sustain and expand the Partnership’s research education strategy.
  • Provide regular briefings to the Deputy Associate Director of the Initiative to Eliminate Cancer Disparities (IECD) and the Vice Provost for Academic Support Services. Prepare progress reports.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

  • Master’s Degree in science, health science, education or a related field required.
  • 4 years experience working or participating in science training or similar educational programs required.
  • 2-4 years administrative or teaching experience within an institution of higher education or equivalent experience required.
  • Demonstrated experience training and mentoring underrepresented students for research careers required.
  • Demonstrated experience in program development, implementation, supervision, evaluation and in developing systems for continuous improvement preferred;
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with low income, first generation students and students with disabilities required.
  • Proven ability to work with internal and external constituencies to train and mentor students for research careers.
  • Knowledge of databases and data management systems.
  • Excellent communication skills: written, oral and interpersonal.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully prepare funding proposals preferred.

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 32

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of September 30, 2027, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.


All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons. Regardless of vaccination status, you must wear a face covering in public indoor spaces on campus.



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