SHIFT:
Day (United States of America)
Seeking Breakthrough Makers
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.
At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care—and your career.
CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non-discriminatory means.
A Brief Overview
This role is an advanced researcher that plans, coordinates and executes complex research projects. Contributions are scientific or intellectual, characterized by unique originality and autonomous creativity. Works in collaboration with an established principal investigator to conduct research in a specific scientific area. Initiates and conducts independent experiments without direct supervision. Develops own research project with the guidance of the principal investigator. Develops new experimental procedures and hypotheses for further investigation.
Prepares manuscripts and abstracts for publication, publishes scientific articles in refereed journals, presents at scientific symposiums. Collaborates and interacts with other researchers within CHOP - RI and at other institutions. Assists in the preparation of scientific publications and research grant proposals. Serves as resource person for colleagues and as a mentor for less experienced research personnel. May manage/supervise other research staff or projects; assists with the management of laboratory operations.
This Staff Scientist position offers the opportunity to play a central role in shaping and expanding a funded research portfolio through active participation in grant development. The Staff Scientist will perform grant writing and management functions to maximize essential support for global health research initiatives. This role will work closely with the PI, submitting research grants, providing operational oversight, and managing a variety of established programs while simultaneously developing and building new programs. This role will support project timelines, provide supervision for reporting program activities, and facilitate communication with collaborators and stakeholders in assigned programs.
The scientist must have experience in grant writing, outstanding communication and relationship skills, international public health, project and program administration, and supervision experience. Additionally, the ability to assess the environment and develop new programs is essential. Must also support and lead implementation of existing programs in reporting outcomes and activities in collaboration with key global health stakeholders.
Job functions:
1. Grant Writing (40%) with a focus on global health (GH) research
- Leads grant prospecting efforts to identify new funding opportunities, including creating and updating a growing list of relevant grants (NIH, foundation, etc.) for the lab.
- Works closely with the PI to lead the proposal preparation process, including communicating information to and from the PI, research team members, sponsor, sponsored projects office, and research business manager. This will include organizing grant preparation meetings, creating a grant submission timeline, furnishing boilerplate language, and facilitating conference calls.
- Develops and manages plans for proposal completion, including systematically drafting and collecting components (e.g. bio sketches, letters of support, facilities descriptions, personnel information, etc.), determining timelines, and creating/maintaining collaborative workspaces.
- Serves as the frontline liaison between PI and investigators from other institutions (U.S. and non-U.S.) to facilitate cross-institutional research collaborations.
- Creates and maintains a database of funded grants and repository of boilerplate grant material, including examples of facilities description, bio sketches, successful proposals, etc.
- Facilitates an essential and unique service to develop research grant writing skills of global health trainees, a distinguishing feature of global health training experiences at CHOP
- Aligns with PI to determine project needs and develop a budget in collaboration with the research business manager to formalize and place in the correct format.
- Engages with the CHOP Sponsored Projects Office and collaborating Sponsored Projects Office/s to upload all proposal documents for timely submission in the correct format and ensure that all required elements are complete.
2. Program Management (40%) includes supporting partnerships in settings like Africa, Asia, and South America and any additional future partnerships; overseeing existing and new global health research projects; HR activities
2a. Global Health Program Management Responsibilities:
- Works closely with the PI to develop and implement strategic priorities and provides reporting on progress and outcomes on those priorities to CHOP leadership and external partners and funders.
- Works collaboratively with local stakeholders in the partner communities to ensure the advancement of program initiatives. This will require international travel (approximately 10-20% of the time).
- Organizes and administers timelines, and workflows, with identified stakeholders to meet the project goals and objectives and provides corroboration with leadership to manage outcomes.
- Leads collaboration across numerous departments/divisions (10+) at CHOP to advance global health research initiatives and assure that existing CHOP policies and procedures guide global health programs and projects.
- Communicates directly and regularly with leadership in the partner communities to ensure effective collaborative management of projects and initiatives.
- Operates the financial process research programs (prepares invoices, monitors supplies, creates and tracks budget expenditures) to provide efficient and appropriate expensing of funds, in collaboration with the research business manager and under the direction of the PI.
- Coordinates Penn medical, nursing, MPH, and undergraduate summer students rotating to study sites.
2b. Manages research studies and oversees day-to-day operations:
- Plans, directs, coordinates and leads activities of several international research projects to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
- Tracks progress of study tasks to ensure timely accomplishment of deliverables. Independently establishes work plans, timeline and staffing for each phase of the project and arranges assignments and follow-up on action points of projected personnel.
- Manages communications with teams and partners, tracking study decisions and action points
- Provides regulatory submission and oversight of Data Use Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, and other Agreements.
- Manages regulatory documents according to study sponsor guidelines and monitors protocol operations to ensure compliance with local and federal regulations.
- Provides IRB oversight and oversight of the development of study documents including protocols, SOPs, data collection tools, and training tools for implementing partners
- Supports study team to ensure that study and protocol procedures are followed and managed according to sponsor and organizational SOPs.
2c. HR
- Recruits, retains, and supervises staff, leading on/off boarding, performance reviews, trouble- shooting HR issues
- Assesses staff capacity, quality of work and workload.
- Identifies staffing needs across projects and coordinates additional hiring as needed.
- Provides support to team members, document organization, to ensure the team runs smoothly.
3. Marketing, Fundraising, and Communication (20%)
3a. Marketing
- Develops and updates slide decks and informational documents about the lab work
- Drafts timely content, including news stories and blog posts, to keep the lab web page up-to-date.
- Coordinates cross-promotion of GH research activities and initiatives with communications teams across the enterprise, including Divisions/Departments, PolicyLab, Clinical Futures, and Research Communications.
3b. Fundraising
- Works closely with the PI and the CHOP Foundation Team to identify funding opportunities
3c. Communication
- Manages scheduled and ad-hoc program progress reporting for key stakeholders
- Prepares written and oral presentations
- Present program achievements and study progress to stakeholders
- Supports manuscript writing and submissions
The ideal candidate would have a doctoral training in epidemiology, statistics, public health, or a related field with 2+ years postgraduate research experience, at least three years of professional or administrative experience in an academic or research institute of similar setting. At least 6 months living and/or working in a country outer than the USA ideally in a low- or middle-income country and/or experience working in an underserved setting in the USA. The ideal candidate is expected to be available for two years. Renewal may be possible based on strong performance and the availability of additional grant funding. Cover letters are strongly preferred.
Desired skills include:
- Demonstrated experience writing and managing grants, contracts, and subcontracts.
- Working knowledge of key practices, regulations, policies, and procedures related to grants/contracts and grant budgeting.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to negotiate diplomatically, with experience in cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary settings.
- Experience in developing and supporting new projects.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary, including excellent presentation development and delivery skills.
The ideal candidate would have a doctoral training in epidemiology, statistics, public health, or a related field with 2+ years postgraduate research experience. Desired skills include:
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Expertise leading applied research including the ability to generate research questions, conduct data analysis, and write up results.
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Expert knowledge and practical experience in study design, sampling approaches and sample size estimation, descriptive and advanced statistical methods such as longitudinal data analysis, multilevel modeling, causal inference methods, complex survey analysis, health and surveillance systems.
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Experience in data use agreements, security, and managing large complex datasets
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Experience with scoping and systematic literature reviews (and meta-analysis).
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Knowledge of STATA, R, and data systems (e.g., web-based electronic data capture system such as REDCAP or ODK).
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Interest in maternal and child health, public health, and building research capacity in low-and-middle income countries
The position is based in Philadelphia with potential for travel. The ideal candidate is expected to be available for two years. Renewal may be possible based on strong performance and the availability of additional grant funding. Cover letters are strongly preferred.
What you will do
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Conducts research of significant scientific value in the basic and/or translational science area(s)
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In consultation with the PI functions independently in the development and execution of research projects
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Plans, conducts, and manages research projects within the federal, institutional regulations and policies
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Initiates and maintains collaborations with researchers, external agencies and institutions to develop cooperative research initiatives
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Trains technical staff, students, fellows & physicians in lab procedures
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Reviews manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
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Monitors daily resource allocations and day-to-day lab personnel activities
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Develops high quality publications for peer reviewed, scientific journals.
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Composes/develops/ submits applications for grants, contracts, and research project funding
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Responsible for appropriate use and management of research funds
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May supervise students or other research staff
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May participate in educational programs and teaching assignments
Education Qualifications
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Bachelor's Degree - Required
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Master's Degree - Preferred
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Doctorate - Preferred
Experience Qualifications
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At least ten (10) years of directly relevant scientific experience - Required
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At least five (5) years of directly relevant post-fellowship scientific experience - Preferred
Skills and Abilities
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Scientific/intellectual contributions characterized by the unique originality & autonomous creativity
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Expert knowledge in the use of a wide variety of lab techniques, research equipment and research related software
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Excellent verbal and written communications skills
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Excellent organizational skills
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Excellent critical thinking / problem-solving skills
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Excellent analytical skills
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Excellent interpersonal skills
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Excellent leadership skills
To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.
EEO / VEVRAA Federal Contractor | Tobacco Statement
SALARY RANGE:
$92,100.00 - $117,400.00 Annually
Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.
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At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.
