Job Description

About the Department
The Department of Biological Sciences, within the College of Sciences at NC State University, is dedicated to research and teaching in a broad range of aspects of the biological sciences. The Department has strong undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral programs and substantial extramural support to develop and maintain integrative research programs. Additionally, the Department partners with other life sciences units across the University to enhance its mission to conduct interdisciplinary research and training programs. Please visit our Sciences Strategic Plan and the College of Sciences Culture Charter to learn more about the College of Sciences.

NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.

The GenX Exposure Study is a community based prospective cohort study being conducted throughout the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina. The study has recruited participants from three regions (Wilmington, Fayetteville, and Pittsboro). The study works with community partners in all these communities and reports results back to participants in a timely fashion. The research team includes epidemiologists, exposure scientists, biostatisticians, community engagement specialists, and undergraduate researchers.

The Department of Biological Sciences has a nationally ranked Toxicology graduate program which allows it to offer many educational experiences to its degree students in both the graduate and undergraduate curriculum. The programs are complemented by top researchers and instructors in the fields of Biological Sciences, Toxicology, and Environmental Health Sciences, providing students with the education to make a difference in a future career. The Toxicology graduate program provides training in molecular and cellular toxicology, environmental toxicology, environmental health sciences, and bioinformatics through research experiences.

The function of the Department of Biological Sciences is to achieve outstanding research, teaching, mentoring, consulting and collaborations on campus and world-wide, within a cohesive department, where all students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds receive fair treatment.
The Center for Human Health and the Environment is a university-wide center funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science designed to enhance and support environmental health science research on the NC State Campus. Biological Sciences faculty and Toxicology faculty members participate in the Center for Human Health and the Environment to address all aspects of environmental health science from the molecular and cellular to the population level.
Essential Job Duties
The Biological Sciences department is recruiting for a GenX Study Manager for a high-profile community-based epidemiologic study of environmental exposure to water contaminants.

The purpose of the GenX Study Manager position is to oversee a range of complex epidemiological research projects. The person in this position will perform a variety of complex and independent activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation, and interpretation of social, economic, and health information.

Primary duties of the GenX Study Manager include, but are not limited to the following:
Directing the development of standards and methods for the collection of data and recommending modification of collection procedures as necessary to ensure accuracy, validity, and integrity of data.
Leading the development of forms and questionnaires and coordinating the application of research techniques.
Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., PI, IRB, community partners, community engagement specialists) to develop and approve human subjects research materials that are scientifically valid and culturally appropriate.
Overseeing the creation and maintenance of surveys in Qualtrics.
Overseeing the creation and maintenance of a biological and environmental sample inventory system.
Overseeing the creation and maintenance of new standard operating procedures and revising existing standard operating procedures as needed to fit current study conditions.
Working with data managers to oversee the creation and maintenance of study database(s) in SQL.
Working with data managers to ensure timely access and long-term security of study data.
Working with facilities staff to ensure the maintenance of study equipment.
Working with study team members and other staff to purchase, maintain, and organize study supplies and inventory tracking.
Organizing and executing community sample collection events.
Coordinating with other study team members (e.g., PI, community engagement specialists) and community partners to share study results, including but not limited to hosting community science advisory panel meetings, public meetings, and webinars.
Assisting in the preparation of report back materials to study participants.
Recruiting, selecting, training, and supervising the work of undergraduate research assistants and other professional research staff engaged in the collection, management, and analysis of data.
Coordinating with other researchers to share study data and samples in a way that appropriately maximizes the utility of study resources while also conserving limited study resources (e.g., biological specimens).
Supporting research activities, such as data analyses, manuscript preparation, academic presentations, etc.
Identifying and understanding potential obstacles, making alternative plans, and/or modifying existing procedures.
Serving as a resource on technical and program-related issues for staff and others.
Providing information to assist with planning and monitoring of expenditures to meet organizational objectives and compliance.
Providing information to assist with the preparation of budget documents and reports.
Providing information to assist with monitoring expenditures and identifying potential budget issues.
Contributing to recommendations for needed expenditures and revisions to the project budgets.
Assisting in preparing grant proposals, including the preparation of proposal budgets.
Ability and willingness to work with all types of people.
Occasional travel to study sites. Some weekend and evening travel are required.
Other Responsibilities
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
MS or MPH in epidemiology or other relevant subjects (degree must be completed).
Experience with technical report and scientific report preparation.
Human subjects research experience.
5-8 years previous research experience.
Other Required Qualifications
Ability to design, develop and conduct complex research activities for a large, high-profile research project with lots of community stakeholders and public interest.
Ability to review and audit study progress to ensure a high response rate.
Ability to develop report back materials to study participants and community members.
Ability to serve as a liaison to the study with our three formal community partners, outside academic institutions, and local and state departments of health and environmental quality.
Knowledge of day-to-day management needs of a study.
Ability to resolve day-to-day issues independently.
Ability to coordinate field data collection at 3 different sites and ensure high quality data collection with excellent communication and strong organizational skills.
Background and training in epidemiology and data collection.
Experience in managing multi-site studies (SOP creation, study document and form creation, volunteer training, study execution, contract negotiation, supply ordering and management).
Experience with human subjects research.
Experience with participant communication.
Experience working with minority and underserved communities in a research or public health setting.
Experience in creating and maintaining community relationships.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Experience in data quality control.
Experience with Institutional Review Boards (submitting amendments, maintaining human subjects research compliance, maintaining up to date study team training records).
Intermediate to advanced competency in Qualtrics survey creation and data management.
Preferred Qualifications
Training in environmental health science
Experience with community engagement
Experience with Google Drive and Google platforms
Spanish fluency