This position is located in Hines, IL and directs the Cooperative Studies Program Center at the VA Medical Center. The Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) is a VHA Office of Research & Development (ORD) supported national clinical investigation program.
ORD CSP maintains a diverse portfolio of clinical research studies that seek to provide definitive answers to important clinical questions on a range of diseases and disorders that affect veterans and the nation. CSP Centers provide biostatistical, methodological, and administrative expertise in the design, conduct, and management of multi-site clinical trials and epidemiological studies. These centers are critical components of an infrastructure that supports collaborative research within the VA research community. CSP activities are supported by federal appropriations and also include collaborations with other federal and international government agencies, universities, and private industry.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for the design, conduct, and management of studies assigned to the Cooperative Studies Program (CSP). The Director ensures that the highest levels of scientific standards and established clinical research policies and practices are applied to assigned studies. Additional emphases involve effectively and efficiently administering CSP study and center activities and promoting a collaborative spirit within a study and within the national program.
- Responsibilities include: designing and directing clinical research studies; understanding and adhering to federal, agency, and program regulations and policies; contributing to strategies, plans, and priorities for the national program; management and leadership of CSP Center staff; and providing scientific expertise in CSP activities. S/he has a collegial, collaborative, and fully informed relationship with the Director, CSP; participates in partnerships with other CSP Center Directors; and often represents the CSP in intra- or inter agency contacts.
- Serves as a senior scientist in the design, analyses and administration of CSP studies. Further, the incumbent assists in analyzing the needs, strategic plans, and goals of the CSP in the context of VA, VHA, and ORD goals and initiatives, and makes recommendations for new directions, initiatives, policies and procedures. S/he participates routinely in senior management and policy decisions regarding strategic planning, priority-setting, scientific direction, and operations. In these activities, the Director provides supervision and/or leadership to CSP Center managers, researchers, and administrators to ensure integrity, effectiveness and efficiency.
- Provides methodological and statistical leadership in the design, conduct, and management of multi-site clinical trials and/or epidemiological studies. Oversees the analytical plan and processes during the course of a study. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, interim analyses for oversight committees and the trial sponsor(s) and final analyses for publication.
- Serves as a principal program liaison to study/field investigators for providing guidance and oversight of studies and ensuring that all applicable policies are followed. Formulates and ensures continued appropriateness and timely communication of all assigned study and center activities and events.
- Oversees CSP Center activities: Identifies the need for and develops plans for necessary organizational changes to maximize efficiency of CSP studies and the Center. Identifies, justifies, and implements actions to improve operational efficiency, such as identifying needed equipment, personnel, or changes in procedures. Ensures that study analyses meet objectives and that management standards are met.
- Directs the analysis, conduct and assessment of studies and center activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, consistent and accurate documentation and reporting, and to identify deficiencies or opportunities for improvement. Ensures development of action plans to address identified needs. Ensures fiduciary accountability for center funds; oversees the management of the center budget and project funding; ensures that appropriate internal control systems are in place; and prepares budget recommendations.
- Serves as the senior scientist in the administrative and technical management of specifically assigned studies: ensures that applicable federal, agency, and program policies are implemented in the conduct of studies; is responsible for resolving study management problems including ones related to study recruitment and performance; oversees the fiscal management of and evaluates resource utilization; communicates major study activities and events.
- Supervises CSP Center personnel through subordinate supervisors (including scientific, management and administrative staff) and ensures that appropriate levels of resources/staff are assigned to CSP Center activities.
- Performs research liaison activities: Identifies areas where CSP has special needs or unique opportunities and assesses the potential of VA clinical research to contribute.
- Ensures maintenance of mechanisms for linking CSP products/knowledge with national VA health care delivery needs and practice.
- Represents CSP in communications and/or meetings with senior management within and outside VA, non-government experts, and the public, and serves as a liaison to other federal agencies and internal VA committees.
- Through effective communication, builds and maintains relationship with academic affiliates, other federal agencies, and private entities.
- Develops suggested actions for decision-makers within the VA Office of Research & Development based on knowledge of CSP activities and policies.
- Establishes working relationships with other agencies within and outside the Department, professional societies, groups and individuals to share information on developments and technology in the scientific, technical, and administrative fields related to CSP research and development.
Position may require some travel, on occasion.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $160,458.00 - $191,900.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hines, IL 60141