Research Project Manager

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Research Project Manager

Job Profile Title

Manager Research Project A

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a full-time Project Manager A/B will be responsible for managing activities of the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit. The Penn Medicine Nudge Unit is the world’s first behavioral design team embedded within a health system. This position will contribute to the Nudge Unit’s capacity building efforts and will provide operational and evaluation management to projects conducted within the Nudge Unit. This role requires experience working with multiple stakeholders from various settings, including large health system networks, and human subjects’ research experience. In this work, the project manager will be required to act autonomously in their decision-making and display excellent communication skills and good judgment.

Project Manager A Duties: The position is responsible for the project management of multiple Nudge Unit-sponsored projects, including providing oversight of all tasks necessary to ensure that studies are conducted safely and according to protocol. The Project Manager A will be responsible for developing protocols, ensuring proper transfer and management of study data, training and of research coordinators and research assistants. This position will also assist with IRB applications, sponsor reports, and manuscripts in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team of collaborators who work closely with the Nudge Unit.

In addition to the duties described above, the Project Manager B will serve in a leadership role with several clinical and research projects. They will meet regularly with study and department leadership to provide study updates but will function independently in carrying out most responsibilities. The Nudge Unit is actively engaged in collaborative studies with other institutions and with industry partners. The PM B will be expected to be comfortably familiar with internal and external partners and to interact with them appropriately to advance the research goals of the Nudge Unit and collaborative partners. The PM B will be responsible for the training and supervision of research coordinators and research assistants. They will meet regularly with health system leadership to provide Nudge Unit updates but will function independently in carrying out most responsibilities. This position will also assist with grant applications, budget development and management of study finances.

This position is contingent upon funding.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Core responsibilities for Project Manager A/B include:

• Manage multiple Nudge Unit-sponsored clinical and research projects.

• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables.

• Track project progress and communicate updates to project teams and stakeholders.

• Coordinate project activities across interdisciplinary teams.

• Support protocol development and ensure studies are conducted safely and according to protocol.

• Assist with IRB applications, sponsor reports, grant materials, and manuscripts.

• Support appropriate transfer, organization, and management of study data.

• Train and support research coordinators, research assistants, and other project team members.

• Contribute to dissemination, implementation, and scaling activities.

• Additional responsibilities for Project Manager B include:

• Serve in a leadership role for more complex clinical and research projects.

• Ensure project activities align with Nudge Unit priorities and partner goals.

• Function independently in carrying out most project responsibilities.

• Engage effectively with internal and external collaborators, including health system, academic, and industry partners.

• Supervise and mentor research coordinators, research assistants, and other staff as appropriate.

• Assist with grant applications, budget development, and management of study finances.

• Identify opportunities to improve team methods, operations, culture, project selection, and execution.

• Lead or support the development, evaluation, and implementation of new workflows and operating models.

• Support programmatic initiatives and events that enhance the Nudge Unit’s impact.

• This position is contingent upon funding.

Qualifications

• Project Manager A:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• Project Manager B:

• Master’s degree and at least 3 to 4 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• Experience designing, coordinating, and managing day-to-day project activities required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$58,506.00 - $81,441.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.