Research Manager

The School of Public Health Division of Epidemiology and Community Health is seeking to hire one 75-100% Research Manager (8353CP Research Professional 3 - Clinical Research Project Management).

The Research Manager will play a key role in the NIH-funded study Promoting Weight-related Health in the Next Generation of Adolescents and Young Adults. This 7-year program of research (2025-2031) was initiated to learn about the influence of recent changes in socio-environmental factors (e.g., social media, technology, stress) on the health and well-being of young people. This program of research builds upon a long-standing longitudinal study called Project EAT (Eating and Activity over Time).

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. Hybrid work is permitted, though workers are expected to work in person at least two days per week. The successful candidate is expected to have access to a reliable internet connection for duties undertaken remotely. Onsite location: West Bank Office Building - 1300 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, Twin Cities Campus - West-bank

Please note, we are not offering H-1B or Green Card sponsorship for this position.

Starting Salary is dependent upon the selected candidate's relevant qualifications, experience, and internal equity: $80,000 -$110,000 annually (full-time)

Job Description:

Data Collection (30%)

Draft survey questions and document sources.
Design survey forms for online, in-person, and mailed administration.
Develop data collection protocols and monitor recruitment.
Draft recruitment scripts and invitation letters in collaboration with investigators.
Track and update participant contact information using mailings, electronic outreach, and databases.
Coordinate participant mailings and oversee support staff involved in recruitment.
Support and coordinate focus groups, including transcription and follow-up research activities.
Assist with rapid-response surveys and substudies using mixed methods (e.g., review proposals, assess feasibility).

Research Coordination & Liaison (20%)

Schedule team meetings and prepare agendas.
Monitor the research budget with accounting staff.
Manage subcontracts, contracts, invoices, and data-sharing agreements.
Draft and update Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols.
Coordinate with external research partners (e.g., National Opinion Research Center (NORC), Minnesota Population Center).
Maintain participant databases and online address accounts.
Prepare funding agency progress reports and communications.
Track manuscript ideas and support ancillary grant development.

Data Organization & Management (20%)

Clean and validate survey data.
Backcode write-in and out-of-range responses.
Collaborate on scale construction and variable derivation.
Compile survey documentation, including psychometric properties and references.
Prepare datasets for analysts and public data repositories.

Community Partnerships (10%)

Coordinate meetings with youth and professional Community Advisory Boards (CABs).
Review and provide feedback on materials prepared for CABs.
Present substudy opportunities and research questions to CAB members.
Share and refine dissemination materials (briefs, posters, social media content, press releases) with CAB feedback.
Prepare presentations for professional and community organizations.

Research Dissemination (10%)

Draft and review dissemination materials (briefs, posters, newsletters, social media, press releases).
Submit abstracts and present at professional conferences.
Develop writing guides and methods templates.
Draft and co-author manuscripts, contributing to literature reviews, data analysis, and writing.

Training & Mentorship (10%)

Orient new staff and early-stage investigators to available data and resources.
Provide documentation, proposal forms, and manuscript guidelines to trainees.
Deliver presentations on the study's history, purpose, and organization.
Mentor students and volunteers engaged in research activities.

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications:

BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience or Master's degree (MS/MPH) and a minimum of at least two years of experience with study coordination or a combination of education and experience to equal eight years.
A demonstrated ability to initiate, process, and track multiple projects.
Experience with the supervision of research staff or student research assistants.
Experience with the preparation of IRB protocols.
Demonstrate effective communication with written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
The ability to work both independently and with a large research team.
Attention to detail and effective organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate experience in working with an interdisciplinary team, strong interpersonal skills, online survey development experience, and data cleaning skills. Additionally, it will be of benefit for the successful candidate to have deep knowledge about disordered eating, mindfulness, obesity prevention, and/or the life course developmental stages of adolescence and young adulthood.

Are you excited about this job and meet the required qualifications, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification? If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply because you just may be the right candidate for this role.

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) is Minnesota's only school of public health, committed to improving the health and well-being of communities worldwide. Through innovative research, learning, and concrete action, we tackle today's biggest health challenges. SPH includes four academic divisions: Biostatistics & Health Data Science, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology & Community Health, and Health Policy & Management.

Ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report as the #6 public school of public health, SPH is home to approximately 1,000 students, 130 faculty, and 400 staff across 25 internationally recognized centers. Our academic excellence is highlighted by our #3-ranked Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and #9-ranked Biostatistics programs.

Pay Range: $38.46-$52.88 per hour ($80,000-$110,000 annually if full-time); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: this position has the option to be 75-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented 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.

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).