Operations Research Coordinator

The School of Public Health division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science (BHDS) seeks an experienced Operations Research Coordinator (9742S3, Research Project Specialist) to join the Strategies and Treatments for Respiratory Infections and Viral Emergencies (STRIVE) Network.

The School of Public Health (SPH) is committed to antiracism and anti-oppression and welcomes you to join us in our pursuit of building equity and driving justice. We particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our School, including those who are American Indian, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, veterans, and those from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Starting Salary Range: $103,000 - $128,000 annually, dependent upon the selected candidate's relevant qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Work Arrangements: The University of Minnesota endorses a "Work. With Flexibility." and we offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. This position has the option to work hybrid. Work arrangements will be discussed during the interview. Onsite location: 2221 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis TC Campus - East-Bank.

The STRIVE Network is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducts large randomized trials and epidemiological studies on HIV, influenza, Ebola, and COVID-19. STRIVE includes several hundred clinical sites in over 40 countries. In addition to regulatory, data management and biostatistical responsibilities for the clinical research performed, the University of Minnesota (UMN) serves as the legal sponsor for many of these trials, which have studied treatments, therapeutics, and vaccines.

The primary goal of STRIVE research is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases. The trials and studies conducted have substantial public health impact. The UMN STRIVE group is primarily responsible for ensuring that funding sources are secured for the network research, that the research is managed in accordance with the terms and conditions of applicable federal grants and contracts, that the research is conducted in a timely and safe way, that the data collected are of the highest quality, that all regulatory requirements are adhered to, and that study results are widely disseminated. This work requires close collaboration with multiple national and international partners, including nine international coordinating centers (ICCs) in Copenhagen, London, Paris, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Sydney, and Washington (2 ICCs). STRIVE staff at UMN must have a broad range of expertise to carry out this large-scale international research.

Job Responsibilities

This position provides comprehensive support for grant and contract proposals; financial management and reporting; administrative and regulatory activities at the network level; collaboration with STRIVE national and international coordinating centers; and collaboration with federal agencies, other research networks, and pharma.

Study Specific Tasks (40%)

• Assemble call notes.
• Secure clinical trial insurance for research sites in select countries.
• Assist the principal investigator with negotiation and execution of research legal documents (e.g., clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, data transfer agreements,
• Material Transfer Agreements, etc.).
• Work with division accounting staff to maintain accurate effort assignments.
• Prepare information required for professional service contracts (e.g., vendors, community representatives, medical monitors, etc.).
• Work with statistical support to create ICC payment reports and related financial algorithms.
• Ensure issuance of quarterly ICC study payments.
• Assist with study supply logistics.

Grant/Contract Funding Proposals (35%)

• Work closely with principal investigators on responses for requests for proposals, write financial and technical justifications, and ensure proposals are responsive to solicitations.
• Prepare study budgets with staff assignments and effort allocations.
• Determine subcontractor participation and develop budgets for drug distribution, specimen collection and management, Institutional Review Board (IRB) review, clinical trial insurance, and other direct costs.
• Prepare study payment schedules that define fixed and variable costs for ICC study coordination and participant care.
• Anticipate and prepare cost/no-cost study extensions.
• Respond to grant/contract queries from funders and the UMN Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA).

Grant/Contract Management (15%)

• Finalize study payment schedules for ICC subcontracts.
• Prepare work scopes for all subcontracts.
• Work with SPA on study account setup, negotiation of task orders with contractors, and issuance of subcontracts.
• Work with division accounting staff on submission of periodic tracking and reporting of study spending.

Miscellaneous Tasks (10%)

• Establish vendor accounts.
• Assist with drug distribution management.
• Assist with website development.
• Assist with personnel management.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS with at least 10 years of experience or advanced degree plus 8 years of experience.
• Extensive experience with grant/contract administration, preparation of funding proposals, financial management, and clinical trial research.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Flexible and capable of adjusting priorities
• Ability to problem-solve and engage in multiple tasks concurrently
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace

Preferred Requirements:

• Masters' degree

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today's biggest health challenges. SPH includes four academic divisions and 29 internationally recognized centers and is home to roughly 1,025 students, 130 tenured/tenure-track and contract faculty, and 450 staff. SPH is a research powerhouse: #1 level of research funding per capita at UMN, #3 largest research portfolio at the UMN, #2 NIH funding among UMN schools and colleges, and $1.1M average grant funding per faculty member. The school is ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, #6 public school of public health, and offers more than 20 leading master's, doctoral, and certificate programs, with its Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program ranked #2 and its Biostatistics program ranked #9.

Pay Range: $103,000 - $128,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please note: At this time, the University's employment site is limited in how it collects applicant demographic information. Applicants are encouraged to provide their pronouns and/or preferred name within their attached application materials.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Cover Letter is required.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).