Research Specialist - Supportive Oncology

Overview

The Research Specialist supports the Palliative Care and Resilience (PCAR) Lab within the Department of Supportive Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Reporting directly to the Principal Investigator, this position provides specialized research expertise in qualitative methods, academic writing, and research program operations to advance the PI's portfolio of studies in pediatric and adult palliative care, grief, and bereavement.

The Research Specialist serves as a consultative resource to PCAR Lab members and ensures the continuity and momentum of the research program. This role requires a high degree of independence, subject-matter expertise in qualitative social science research, and the ability to work collaboratively across an interdisciplinary team.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Qualitative Research and Data Analysis:
• Leads and conducts qualitative data analysis for PCAR Lab studies, including thematic analysis, narrative analysis, and other methodologies appropriate to study design. This requires expertise in qualitative methods and the ability to apply them independently across diverse research questions.
• Develops, refines, and evaluates qualitative data-collection instruments, such as interview guides and focus group protocols, ensuring alignment with study aims and IRB-approved procedures.
• Synthesizes qualitative findings into academic outputs including manuscripts, reports, and presentations, translating complex data into clear and meaningful conclusions.
• Ensures rigor, transparency, and methodological consistency across all qualitative research activities within the PCAR Lab portfolio.

Protocol and Manuscript Development:
• Collaborates with the Principal Investigator to write, revise, and finalize research protocols, IRB applications, and amendments, ensuring compliance with institutional and federal requirements.
• Drafts, edits, and prepares manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, including literature reviews, methods, results, and discussion sections, contributing to the advancement of palliative care and bereavement research.
• Assists with the preparation of grant applications, including narrative sections, background and significance, and research-strategy components, supporting the PI's funding portfolio.
• Ensures consistency, clarity, and accuracy across all research documentation and written outputs.

Consultative and Collaborative Support:
• Serves as a resource on qualitative methods and palliative care research for PCAR Lab members, offering consultation on study design, data interpretation, and academic writing as applicable.
• Participates in PCAR Lab meetings and contributes to team-level research planning as schedule permits, supporting a collaborative research culture.
• Collaborates with colleagues in Supportive Oncology, Pediatric Oncology, and Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital as applicable to study activities and departmental priorities.

Research Program Operations:
• Supports the operational continuity of the PI's research program by managing timelines, tracking deliverables, and maintaining momentum on active projects, particularly during periods of high clinical demand.
• Supports PCAR Lab scheduling and communication efforts
• Assists with literature reviews and evidence syntheses to support ongoing and emerging studies.
• Coordinates with the PI and PCAR Lab staff to prioritize tasks and ensure research milestones are met across the program portfolio.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of qualitative research methodologies, including thematic analysis, grounded theory, narrative inquiry, and/or related approaches.
• Strong academic writing skills, with a track record of contributing to peer-reviewed manuscripts, protocols, or grant applications.
• Deep familiarity with palliative care, grief, bereavement, or psychosocial oncology research literature.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong initiative and professional judgment.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple concurrent research tasks and meet deadlines effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively across interdisciplinary teams and with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in qualitative data analysis software (e.g., Dedoose, NVivo, Atlas.ti, or comparable) preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, or a closely related field. Doctorate preferred. Training or specialization in palliative care, grief, bereavement, or serious illness research preferred. Minimum of three (3) years of experience in academic or health sciences research, with demonstrated expertise in qualitative research methodology required. Experience with protocol development, IRB submissions, and manuscript writing in an academic or health research setting required. Experience in palliative care, supportive oncology, or related clinical or research environment strongly preferred. Experience supporting a Principal Investigator on peer-reviewed research, including contributing to grants and publications, preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Required:

None

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No

Patient Contact:

No

Special Working Conditions:

None

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

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