Project Scientist

Institute for Medical Research at the Durham VA Health Care System Project Scientist PI: Dr.
Stephen Freedland The Institute for Medical Research, an affiliate of the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS), is looking for a Full-Time Project Scientist (PS) to assist in overseeing local and national-level clinical research studies, act as an arbitrator on patient eligibility for prospective and retrospective studies, and to contribute to the scientific and scholarly productivity of the research conducted by the Principal Investigator, Dr.
Stephen Freedland, and his associates in his urology and oncology research lab.
The Project Scientist role is ideal for a graduate of an advanced medical degree program, or similar, who have had a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree conferred or who have received certification as a physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP).
The incumbent will be responsible for supporting multiple clinical research studies, determining patient eligibility for both prospective and retrospective studies, and for producing scholarly work.
This position entails the opportunity to work with a highly productive and dynamic team of MDs, PhDs, and other nationwide investigators on cutting edge research.
Seminars, conference attendance, and other learning opportunities, including professional development funding as early as three months into employment, are also available.
Duties and Responsibilities: Critical Element 1 – Data Collection and Subject Eligibility Assessment: Assist in supervising clinical trials personnel and in appropriate designation of patient eligibility and clinical history ascertainment Assist in maintaining a vast quantity of patient-oriented data used in support of analytical and/or research projects related to urology Assist research coordinators and data technician managers in developing, troubleshooting, and modifying data abstraction SOPs and training materials Provide clinical adjudication related to coding of data when clinical presentation does not follow data abstraction SOPs Respond to and provide clinical insight on patient adverse event (AE) and suicidal ideation queries, including patient outreach where necessary Review electronic and paper medical records for clinical information and conduct electronic database entry Prepare documentation for and present selected patients for medical review with senior-level investigators, when necessary Critical Element 2 – Research Writing and Mentorship: Assist in proposal development for a wide range of awards, including investigator-initiated studies, collaborative studies, and industry-sponsored studies Assist in preparation of research and scientific products initiated by the laboratory, including study reports, abstracts, and posters, to name a few Facilitate proposal submissions by assisting with intellectual and scientific input and drafting appropriate sections of proposals and grants Facilitate communication with study sponsors, contractors, PIs, and research team members to develop actionable proposal materials Review and draft sections of statistical analysis plans Provide technical writing support and supervision of junior staff as needed, to entail training and mentorship, and inclusive of document workflow management Perform literature reviews in support of scientific products including grants, proposals, and manuscripts Use citation management software to organize references and format citations within writing products Incorporate feedback from PI, Director, and other study team members into revisions of research writing Critical Element 3 – Project feasibility assessment initiation and study development: In concert with team leadership and collaborators, initiate, design, and review feasibility assessments for new project curation and exploration Collaboratively develop and contribute creatively to an active, growing research portfolio investigating topics relevant to the laboratory’s oncologic and disease area foci Assist with identifying eligible patients for studies requiring case and healthy control subjects Demonstrate good judgment and problem solving to troubleshoot and modify protocol implementation when necessary, including barriers to study recruitment Coordinate with study sponsors, contractors, other PIs, and research team members as part of sponsored or multi-PI studies Critical Element 4 - Collaborate with research team, including CRCs, Research Managers, Data Operations, Clinical Trials staff, and work effectively with team members: Work effectively with other team members as part of a team Complete tasks independently and manage personal workflow Communicate effectively with team members in both a written and oral manner Assist in patient-facing prospective recruitment personnel training, including in-person Veteran enrollment interactions and venipuncture Assist in training and educating first-year Data Technicians in essential Freedland Research Group functions and disease area basics, namely prostate cancer Respond to basic inquiries on data abstraction from other Data Technicians or Clinical Trials Assistants using VA-approved communication modalities The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.
Qualifications: Requires a MD and a minimum 1-3 years of relevant experience in clinical research.
Additional Requirements: Candidates must be able to deal diplomatically and professionally with administration, faculty, clinical and lab personnel, and subjects.
Demonstrated leadership, professional initiative, teamwork abilities, strong interpersonal relationship skills, and decision-making, and good judgment is expected.
Excellent written and oral skills, Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and editing skills are required for this position.
Incumbent should possess professional knowledge of clinical research sufficient to provide training and guidance to others in the clinic.
Prior experience with clinical research, FDA regulations, and HIPAA considerations is preferred.
Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and activities that are required to perform the essential functions of the position include, but may not be limited to, as follows: Must be able to occasionally lift, pull and push a minimum of 40 pounds, stand for extended periods of time, sit for extended periods of time, squat, kneel, and stoop, regularly use fingers, hands for computer work.
Supervisory Controls: The position of Project Scientist is under the direct supervisor of the Research Manager.
The prior statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Salary Range: $56,000 - $90,000 per year Status: Exempt Start Date: Expected start date will be 8–12 weeks after the offer but is somewhat flexible and contingent upon completion and approval of VA paperwork.
Employee Benefits: IMR offers a competitive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, short and long term disability insurance.
IMR offers a matching 403b retirement savings plan, and paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave.
Please visit https://imr.
org/benefits/ for information about employee benefits.
All IMR employees are required to obtain a Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS).
As a result, the successful candidate must undergo a federal background check and may be subject to a physical and drug test.
Participation in the vaccination programs may be required for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointments.
We will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and Veterans.
Click here to apply to this position and others directly on the Institute for Medical Research Careers Page! Please submit your application online by visiting the Project Scientist job posting at https://imr.
org/careers/.