"Research Project Manager"

Job ID52158

Location

Chicago, Illinois

Department: MED-Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer's Disease

Salary/Grade: EXS/7

The Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease (Mesulam Center) is a multidisciplinary component of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. We specialize in the clinical care and scientific study of neurological diseases that interfere with cognition and behavior, such as Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory impairments, frontotemporal degenerations, primary progressive aphasia, and other neurodegenerative conditions. Our primary goals are to investigate the causes and clinical characteristics of these diseases, ensure that our patients benefit from the latest advances in research, and explore the neural foundations of cognition and behavior.

The Research Project Manager will oversee day-to-day operations for the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) study, a multi-site project aimed at understanding cognitive aging, neurodegeneration, and dementia. The manager will assist with report writing, recruitment and retention, task tracking, and ensure that timelines and study goals are met. The position requires strict adherence to Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and compliance with regulatory guidelines from local, state, and federal agencies (including the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), FDA, and others).

Key Responsibilities:

Technical:

• Provide leadership in research project design, planning, and execution.
• Coordinate with other ADRC teams and Mesulam Center projects to streamline processes and reduce redundancy.
• Oversee compliance with study protocols and regulatory guidelines.
• Develop and implement new research protocols, ensure proper staff training, and make protocol revisions as necessary.

Administrative:

• Lead meetings with ADRC teams and Mesulam Center leadership.
• Assist in the preparation of progress reports and scientific papers for publication.
• Act as a liaison between sponsoring agencies, research organizations, and institutions.
• Ensure the timely completion of study documents and compliance with all regulatory guidelines.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for study activities.

Finance:

• Manage research budgets and expenditures, including purchasing supplies and materials.
• Assist with vendor invoicing and monitor accounts to ensure proper spending.

Supervision:

• Supervise, direct, and assign duties to research staff, students, and fellows.
• Manage brain donation on-call rotation schedules and be available to fulfill brain donations when required.

Other Duties:

• Perform other duties as assigned related to the study.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social or health sciences or related field, plus 5 years of relevant research experience; or a Master's degree with 3 years of research experience.
• Supervisory experience and experience with human subjects research.
• Completion of NU’s IRB CITI training prior to participant interaction, with re-certification every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing human subjects research.
• Excellent computer skills, strong attention to detail, and organizational abilities.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing NIH grants and administering neuropsychological tests.
• Familiarity with REDCap, Ripple Science, Study Tracker, and/or Epic.
• Experience with database management and the creation and maintenance of study SOPs.

Target Hiring Range:

• $63,079 - $88,705 annually. Salary will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and market data.

Benefits:

Northwestern University offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid time off, parental leave, and flexible spending accounts
• Retirement benefits (403b with 10% employer match)
• Tuition assistance and student loan support
• Adoption benefits and backup childcare
• Discounted services at Lurie Children's facilities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Work-Life and Wellness:

• Comprehensive programs to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and balance work and life commitments. Flexible work arrangements are available where possible.

Professional Growth & Development:

• Northwestern provides ample opportunities for career development, whether you’re working on campus or remotely. They offer various tools and resources to help employees grow professionally.

For further details on the application process, visit the Northwestern University career portal. Please upload a CV, cover letter, and references as requested. Applications will only be accepted online.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Northwestern University does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. Applicants requiring accommodations in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.

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