Research Manager, Center for Causal Inference (Biostatistics Division)

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.

Job Description Summary

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Penn Center for Causal Inference (CCI) within the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (DBEI). Provides advice and guidance to facilitate the center director's leadership of highly complex research programs, including primary faculty, an educational program with Penn and visiting PhD students, post-docs and various annual visitors, as well as many nationally and internationally positioned research network projects. Manages and oversees center compliance with departmental, school, and university policies and procedures. Collaborates with the research and administrative teams on strategy development for all operational activities within CCI and ensures that appropriate strategies are aligned with institutional objectives. Develops best practices, methods, techniques, and operational standards for activities within the center. Ensures streamlined and standardized processes, eliminate redundancies, and ensures sound financial stewardship of space, equipment and expenditures for the center. This role will partner with DBEI research finance team and administration to manage and report status of research and discretionary budgets to the center director. Develops and maintain collaborative partnerships within and outside of the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn. Act as a liaison between the center and key stakeholders (e.g., commercial partners, alumni, industry and other academic institutions). Directs communication of center priorities to ensure execution of goals and milestones through regular meetings, status updates, and other written communications with center director. Facilitates and manages communications and collaboration between the center and departmental leadership. Supervises, trains, and onboards new, full-time and temporary staff within the center. Oversees and manages multiple projects; anticipates and tracks critical dates, events and organizational issues for the center director. Independently prioritizes, plans, coordinates and oversees logistics for meetings and conferences with individuals and entities, internal and external to the university. Follows-up with appropriate faculty, staff and external colleagues to ensure deadlines are met. In coordination with the Division of Biostatistics and the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, this role will facilitate center-related faculty recruitment efforts.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Penn Center for Causal Inference (CCI). Provides advice and guidance to facilitate the center director's leadership of highly complex research and educational program, as well as many nationally and internationally positioned research network projects. Manages and oversees center compliance with departmental, school, and university policies and procedures. Supervises, trains, and onboards new, full-time and temporary staff within the center.
• Collaborates with the research and administrative teams on strategy development for all operational activities within CCI and ensures that appropriate strategies are aligned with institutional objectives. Develops best practices, methods, techniques, and operational standards for activities within the center.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships within and outside of the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn. Act as a liaison between the center and key stakeholders (e.g., commercial partners, alumni, industry and other academic institutions).
• Ensures streamlined and standardized processes, eliminate redundancies, and ensures sound financial stewardship of space, equipment and expenditures for the center. This role will partner with DBEI research finance team and administration to manage and report status of research and discretionary budgets to the center director.
• Directs communication of center priorities to ensure execution of goals and milestones through regular meetings, status updates, and other written communications with center director. Facilitates and manages communications and collaboration between the center and departmental leadership.
• Oversees and manages multiple projects; anticipates and tracks critical dates, events and organizational issues for the center director. Independently prioritizes, plans, coordinates and oversees logistics for meetings and conferences with individuals and entities, internal and external to the university. Follows-up with appropriate faculty, staff and external colleagues to ensure deadlines are met.
• In coordination with the Division of Biostatistics and the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, this role will facilitate center-related faculty recruitment efforts.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Demonstrated effectiveness supporting a senior academic program leader, in a university setting with large, complex educational and research programs absolutely essential. Excellent organizational skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office tools required. Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and highly professional interpersonal style, with flexibility and effectiveness working with diverse groups of people. Ability to work under pressure, with limited supervision, and confidence to exercise independent judgment. Highly organized, meticulous, and flexible; ability to manage time and willingness to work with changing deadlines; ability to prioritize work. Must exercise discretion in working with extremely confidential and sensitive matters. Must have demonstrated exceptionally positive relationships with large groups of faculty, staff, and students.

Position contingent upon funding.