Research Development Program Specialist

Join our team as the Research Development Program Specialist!

The Research Development (RD) core serves as the research engine for the Southern California Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (SC CTSI) funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). RD provides support in various aspects of faculty and research development to help investigators conduct innovative research projects that test the feasibility of novel technologies, methodologies and approaches to address challenges in clinical research and health problems of diverse communities. This position is responsible for day-to-day programmatic support for all RD services and initiatives including program planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting of the SC CTSI pilot program, team building activities, and research training and development for researchers. 

Key Responsibilities

Program Administration Support

• Provide leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of program plans for all initiatives instituted by RD.

• Provide leadership in program operations and administrative functions including budget and business transactions, outreach and marketing, and dissemination.

• Serves as key contact and resource for RD program information within SC CTSI and its partners.

• Supports RD and SC CTSI leaders on questions and requests relating to RD activities and impact

• Schedules meetings and/or plans RD events. Participates in SC CTSI and institution meetings relevant to RD.

• Maintain knowledge of best practices and trends through research, external networking and participation in key organizational meetings, events and activities.

• Provide financial and program status reports to RD and SC CTSI leaders, serving as a critical interface between RD and other SC CTSI core groups, researchers, external strategic partners and other key stakeholders.

• Represent and support outreach and communication activities for RD. Manage RD-related content on the websites, social media and other public materials.

• Establish collaborative and effective relationships with internal SC CTSI team members and stakeholder from USC and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

• Establishing plans and criteria to increase diversity amongst the research community we serve.

• Organize faculty development workshops and seminars such as grant writing workshops, and other seminars.

Pilot Program Support

• Provide administrative and programmatic support to meetings, review sessions, workshops, consultations and other approachesfor fostering and evaluating teams and pilot programs.

• Administer and facilitate the  SC CTSI Pilot Funding Programs.

• Assist with administering other Keck School of Medicine pilot programs as needed.

• Develop relevant pilot grant funding RFA's aligned with NCAT's research priorities.

• Explore funding opportunities for teams exploring diversity and/or promoting diverse teaming.

• Manage the development and implementation of funding application and review protocols.

• Facilitate with pilot awardees to ensure compliance with NCATS human subject requirements  

• Drive programs to completion by ensuring timelines aremet and resources are deployed appropriate through the use ofevaluation and tracking tools and methodologies.

• Develop presentations, reports, templates and e-mails for purposes of providing updates and communications to team members, stakeholders and senior leadership - particularly the pilot funding program data and ROI.

• Prepare and offer training for community reviewers in preparation for inclusion in pilot grant program review.

Team Science Administrative Support

• Work with RD, SC CTSI and the KSOM leadership to promote, catalyze and support collaborative cross-disciplinary teams andprograms.

• Ensure participants and teams are informed and have access to available tools, materials, and resources.

• Track and monitor SC CTSI-sponsored research team progress and work with RD leadership to ensure appropriate processes are in place andinterventions occur when needed.

• Communicate and promote new team science tools and activities; track and promptparticipation for follow-up through all phases.

• Support the delivery of trainings and seminars related to team science activities, and other team-related research tools for faculty and trainees.

Data Analysis and Evaluation

• Work closely with SC CTSI Evaluation team to perform and interpret ongoing assessments on RD activities such as workshops, seminars, utilization of tools and tips, pilot funding awards, etc.

• Support process that track the success of pilot awardees.

• Analyze and synthesize evaluation data for reporting and dissemination.

• Other duties assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or combined experience/education as substituted for minimum education

• 1 year of experience or combined education/experience as substituted for minimum experience in directly related field of administrative support services and either clinical, basic, and/or population based research for preferred education/experience

• 2 years of experience in administrative support or program support services in directly related field of administrative support or program support services and either clinical, basic, or population based research.

• Proficient in Microsoft suite of productivity applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint (essential), Outlook, and Access. 

The hourly rate range for this position is $31.46 - $34.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The university is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, volunteers, and visitors on our campuses and those entrusted to our care, including patients, students, and minors. To that end, the university conducts background screening, including screening for criminal convictions, on all applicants after a conditional offer of employment and as a condition of employment. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix C for specific employment screen implications for the position you are applying for. 

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional experience in program specialization, e.g., counseling or teaching.