Research Manager, McAlpine Lab

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary
The Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI) is a province-wide effort to accelerate transformative research in the prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship of gynecologic cancers. By leveraging the exceptional talent and rich research environment across British Columbia, the GCI has built a collaborative framework that unites researchers, clinicians, trainees and knowledge users. Our mission is bold and focused: to reduce the incidence and mortality of gynecologic cancers by 50% by 2034. The GCI is powered by the determination, talent, and passion of its people. We believe that through a team-oriented culture grounded in scientific excellence, innovation, and impact, that we can tackle the most challenging problems.

The Research Manager provides operational, scientific, and project management support for a portfolio of endometrial cancer research projects led by Dr. Jessica McAlpine and collaborating investigators, including the recently awarded Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) Program Project Grant (PPG) in Endometrial Cancer. Working under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the incumbent coordinates the planning, implementation, administration, and reporting of multiple interconnected research projects. Responsibilities include facilitating project execution, coordinating collaboration across investigators and research teams, tracking milestones and deliverables, coordinating meetings and communications, supporting grant administration and funding agency reporting, monitoring budgets, and ensuring compliance with sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements. The Research Manager also contributes to grant development activities, including the preparation and coordination of funding applications and supporting materials, and provides scientific writing support through the preparation and coordination of manuscripts, reports, presentations, and other knowledge translation materials. The incumbent exercises judgment and initiative in managing competing priorities and works closely with investigators, research staff, trainees, patient partners, and external collaborators to support the successful delivery of program objectives and research outcomes.

Organizational Status
The Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI) is a cross-institutional effort based across multiple hospital and research sites in Vancouver, including the University of British Columbia, BC Cancer, the VGH Research Pavilion, the Diamond Health Care Centre, the Women’s Health Research Institute, and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. While the GCI operates across these collaborative sites, the Research Manager will be based primarily at the Robert Ho Research Centre and Diamond Health Care Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The incumbent reports to and works under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator.

Work Performed

• Manages the day-to-day planning, implementation, delivery and administration of the Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) Program Project Grant (PPG) in Endometrial Cancer and associated research activities.
• Establishes project plans and timelines, and monitors progress toward milestones and deliverables.
• Develops and maintains project management platforms, tracking and reporting systems, and technology solutions including workflow automation, dashboards, and AI-enabled productivity tools
• Manages communication, information flow, and coordination across interconnected projects and investigators
• Leads operational coordination for the development, implementation and utilization of shared research resources, cohorts, data assets, biospecimen collections, and core platforms across projects
• Organizes meetings, workshops, advisory committee meetings, and other program activities; prepares agendas, supporting materials, meeting summaries, and action item tracking.
• Monitors project risks, identifies operational challenges, and facilitates timely resolution. Consults with the Principal Investigator and participating investigators on scientific, budgetary, strategic, or other complex matters requiring investigator decision-making.
• Manages pre- and post-grant administration activities, including proposal development, submission, budget monitoring, progress reporting, renewal applications, and liaison with funding agencies and institutional partners.
• Provides scientific writing and editing support for manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, reports, and other knowledge translation and research dissemination materials.
• Oversees ethics submissions, renewals and other regulatory requirements.
• Provides day-to-day operational leadership and guidance to research personnel participating in program activities.
• Carries out other related duties consistent with the qualifications and requirements of the position.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Research Manager is responsible for coordinating a multi-investigator research program involving significant funding, large collaborations, and multiple interdependent projects. Errors in project planning, communication, coordination, budget monitoring, reporting, or compliance activities could result in missed milestones, delays in project execution, loss of research opportunities, inefficient utilization of shared resources, non-compliance with sponsor or institutional requirements, reputational risk to investigators and the institution, or adverse impacts on future funding opportunities.

The incumbent is expected to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail in managing program operations, facilitating collaboration across project teams, safeguarding confidential information, and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of reports, records, and communications. The Research Manager is expected to proactively identify risks and operational issues and bring significant concerns to the attention of the Principal Investigator in a timely manner.

Supervision Received
The Research Manager works under the general direction of the Principal Investigator and is responsible for the day-to-day management of program operations within the Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) Program Project Grant (PPG) in Endometrial Cancer and associated research activities.

The Research Manager exercises considerable judgement and initiative in managing project operations and determining appropriate approaches to achieve approved objectives. The incumbent is authorized to make operational decisions related to project planning, schedule, resource coordination, workflow management, communications, meeting and reporting processes, and implementation of established procedures. Decisions regarding scientific direction, research priorities, budget allocation, staffing, project scope, and other strategic matters remain the responsibility of the Principal Investigator and participating investigators.

Supervision Given
Provides functional leadership, guidance and project coordination to research staff, trainees, students, and other personnel involved in program activities, and supports timely completion of program activities. Facilitats onboarding and orientation of new staff, students, and collaborators to established program processes, procedures, and systems. Provides input regarding workload planning, training requirements, and operational performance to the Principal Investigator or appropriate supervisor. The position does not have formal supervisory authority and is not responsible for employee hiring, discipline, or performance management.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication skills in scientific English, with demonstrated experience in scientific writing, proposal development, and research reporting.
• Solid understanding of the academic research environment and granting agency processes, with the ability to navigate complex research funding landscapes.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and coordinate with diverse teams and collaborators.
• High attention to detail, particularly in preparing budgets, drafting research documents, and managing project timelines.
• Experience in research grant development, project planning, and administration is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of project management principles, including budget forecasting and financial tracking, is an asset
• Demonstrated experience using technology to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency, such as project management platforms, workflow automation tools, collaboration software, reporting dashboards, and AI-enabled productivity tools, is an asset.