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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.

Posted Job Title

Research Project Manager A (OBGYN - Ovarian Cancer Research Center)

Job Profile Title

Manager Research Project A

Job Description Summary

The OCRC Tumor Bio-Trust Collection is a GMP/GLP laboratory and service center in the Ovarian Cancer Research Center. The Research Project Manager (RPM) A reports to the Technical Director and is responsible for the entire life cycle of the specimens, starting from identifying potential patients, procurement in cooperation with HUP, PAH, and CCH surgical teams, to aseptic processing, through banking and inventory management, to retrieval and disbursement. All work is done independently with minimal supervision. Work schedule can be irregular which may require early arrival, evenings, weekends, and potentially holidays. The Research Project Manager maintains meticulous auditable records, in a HIPPA compliant manner, of all specimens collected so they can be linked back to the original donor or de-identified as appropriate. The RPM aids in regulatory compliance by tracking informed consents and writing and revising SOPs. RPM also assists in the writing and editing of informed consent forms (ICF). RPM is responsible for a majority of obtaining informed consent from patients which includes explaining the study, discussing risks and benefits, and answering any questions. Specimens include but are not limited to human blood, and solid and liquid tumor tissue. Processing skills include dissection, tissue sampling and prep, blood handling and gradient purification, and advanced cell culture techniques for working with primary cells. The RPM is responsible for monitoring and maintaining all laboratory equipment, supplies, and space, as well as creating requisitions for lab supplies. RPM is constantly improving work processes to meet the increased demands of the study. Such processes include working with Information Services from the health system to create an electronic version of the consent in PennChart. The RPM liaises with cooperative entities including clinicians from Gynecologic Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Pathology, clinical and translational research teams, staff at other facilities such as TTAB, Penn BioBank, and the Pathology Clinical Service Center, as well as facilities staff such as the building administrator. As a service center, the RPM is also responsible for communicating and assisting the consumers, both internal and external, to determine appropriate sample types identify the specimens they need and then fulfilling their requests. The Rapid Autopsy Program has many moving parts and requires coordination between the patient and their care team, the anatomic pathology department, the research team, and any necessary transportation. The RPM is an integral player by being the center of coordination and execution for all these moving parts. Recruitment to enroll participants in the program requires establishing good rapport with the patient and their family. The RPM must be comfortable having candid but delicate conversations about end of life. The program is also expanding to multiple disease sites; the Specialist is responsible for acting as an ambassador of the program, as such, it has been extended to the Pancreatic Cancer Research Center. In addition to banking and enrollment responsibilities, the RPM collaborates on research projects with some of the internal PIs. RPM also provides processing support for clinical trials as well as project management support, such as directing specimens to be processed for analysis. RPM also provides lab training and support for clinical research staff. RPM also regularly attends research seminars and training opportunities.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

The Research Project Manager A (RPM A) position is specifically for the Tumor BioTrust Collection at the Ovarian Cancer Research Center (OCRC). The RPM A will be primarily responsible for managing various research projects and implementing various research study protocols while developing and managing work plans and timeframes in order to meet the project goals. The RPM will be maintaining and managing contacts with various entities including our external collaborators, commercial partnerships, as well as various vendors we closely work with. In addition, the RPM A will be performing the essential daily responsibilities starting from identifying potential patients and obtaining consent for tumor banking purposes, procurement in coordination with HUP, PAH, and CCH surgical teams, to aseptic processing, through banking and inventory management, to retrieval and disbursement. They will play a pivotal role in supporting seamless operations and expansion of the PSOM-approved service center as well as supporting internal and external investigators’ biospecimen needs and research. The RPM will assist in assuring regulatory compliance by writing and editing of the IRB protocol, informed consent forms (ICF) as well as creating an electronic version of the consent form in PennChart. The RPM will also play an essential role in successful coordination and execution of the Penn Legacy Tissue Program (PLTP, aka Rapid Autopsy Program) and the program is also expanding to multiple disease sites including the Pancreatic Cancer Research Center. The RPM will be acting as an ambassador of the program ensuring the successful execution of the RAP. We are back filling the previous RPM (Dalia Omran) and are seeking to hire an RPM with skills sets essential to this work and who’s devoted and equipped to performing a higher level of complexity and supervisory role.

Position is contingent upon funding

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Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

  We are seeking to hire an RPM with skills sets essential to this work and who’s devoted and equipped to performing a higher level of complexity and supervisory role. Prior experience with Redcap, LabVantage, and human biospecimens is required. The ideal candidate will have strong computational skills and be proficient with computer-based systems including but not limited to Word, Excel, Redcap, iLab, and other online database programs. The ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills is necessary. Strong interpersonal skills and clear communication with the clinical research team, directors and primary investigators is required.

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $70,958.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and

the pay range assigned to the job profile.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.