Research Program Manager, Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine

Position Overview

The Department of Clinical Neurosciences in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Program Manager. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 3 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Calgary Adult Hydrocephalus Program, within the department of Clinical Neurosciences, was developed to standardize and enhance the care for adult patients with hydrocephalus. Targeting the care of adult patients with hydrocephalus through a specialty clinic has aided in understanding the natural history of adults with both treated and untreated hydrocephalus. Aside for clinical care, the program has a focused clinical research program as well as a basic science research program. Since development the CAHP has helped to standardize treatment strategies, not only provincially but also globally.

Reporting to the Director of the Calgary Adult Hydrocephalus Program, the Research Program Manager will manage front line research staff in completion of projects and oversee multiple research projects for internal and external stakeholders in both academic and industry fields, while leading a team of 2 or more direct reports with a responsibility to full cycle recruitment, performance management, progressive discipline, and termination. This position exercises considerable independent managerial discretion in the development and execution of programs, policies, and protocols within the W21C unit.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Leadership:
  • Management of a group of research staff
    • Responsible for working with Principal investigator to determine positions that would support the strategic goals of the Research group
    • Manages the creation job profiles, hiring, and onboarding of staff
    • Performs and engages staff in annual performance reviews
    • When required, performs disciplinary, including terminations, actions
  • Oversees the complete range of human resource management for operational staff
  • Ensures all staff have a Hazard Assessments in place to reduce risk for their position.
  • Manage employees at research analyst levels
  • Act as a coach and mentor in training and development of junior team members
  • Establishes departmental plans in order to complete projects and assignments
  • Clearly define and communicate performance expectations to the project team
  • Guides others in making difficult decisions
• Project Management
  • Makes decisions that require development of new options to solve complex problems
  • Decisions made are limited to the operations of the department they work in or pertaining to the projects they manage
  • Responsible for making recommendations to policy and procedure which govern the research project or team objectives and implementation of any changes
  • Uses own scientific judgment to apply and adapt standard methods and techniques with increased independence by applying prior work experience
  • Responsible for research project development and grant management activities; financial performance; facilities planning and management; and assisting in the strategic planning process for the program
  • Direct role in research activities, including analysis and presentation
  • Interacts extensively with Research Services to ensure compliance with all government, granting agency and private funding agency policies
  • Acts as an administrative liaison and manager between the University of Calgary, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions and other provincial and federal ministries
  • Prepares reports that highlight CAHP's activities for use by the Director & Leadership Team (i.e., annual reporting, financial reporting, etc)
  • Accountable for operations and measurement reporting
  • Facilitates the development of necessary legal contracts
• Communication and Scientific Contribution:
  • Explain difficult and complex concepts and influence others to adopt a different point of view, when appropriate
  • Publishes and presents technical papers to external audiences
  • Participates in creating and co-authoring significant internal and external publications
  • Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and with other University entities, including other researchers and their teams, academic departments, and administrative departments
  • Promote collaboration and knowledge translation with members at every opportunity

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Public Health or Health related discipline required
• Masters degree an asset
• CCRP, PMP and/or related clinical research certifications an asset
• Background in clinical trials preferred
• 5-7 years related experience and a Graduate degree in a related discipline are required, A combination of education, training, and experience will be considered
• Interprets and applies, using own discretion, regulatory/compliance/scientific requirements
• Expertise in change management and strategic planning
• Strong collaborative and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and coaching
• Capable of juggling multiple tasks.
• Ability to share knowledge and transfer own skills to the research team
• Thorough understanding of research methods and ethics
• Ability to develop and manage a budget
• Clinical Trial Coordinator training is an asset, including many of the following courses, is strongly preferred: Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit: Leadership in Patient Oriented Research: Pragmatic Clinical Trials Certificate Program; Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program); National Institutes of Health (NIH): Protecting Human Research Participants; Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans;  Northern Alberta Clinical Trials + Research Centre (NACTRC) - Study Coordinator Training Program
• Knowledge of University policies including submission of projects to ethics boards
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• Fluent in English; excellent communication skills

Application Deadline:  December 8, 2021

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Research Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. 

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine.

COVIDSafe Campus Strategy

The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.