Research Director, Wellness and Recovery after Psychosis Program

Position: WRAP Research Director , Psychiatry        

Location: Boston, MA

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Hybrid

ABOUT BMC:

At Boston Medical Center (BMC), our diverse staff works together for one goal — to provide exceptional and equitable care to improve the health of the people of Boston. Our bold vision to transform health care is powered by our respect for our patients and our commitment to ensure everyone who comes through our doors has a positive experience.

You’ll find a supportive work environment at BMC, with rich opportunities throughout your career for training, development, and growth and where you’ll have the tools you need to take charge of your own practice environment.  

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis (WRAP) Research Director is responsible for the strategic direction/oversight of the WRAP research portfolio. The WRAP Research Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of WRAP research projects to satisfy defined goals or scientific objectives.  WRAP researchers take different approaches to studying psychosis with and without co-occurring substance use disorders across the lifespan, including epidemiologic studies, prevention and treatment clinical trials, evaluation, and qualitative work.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research Development

• Play a lead role with the Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-investigators in overseeing the development and writing of grant applications, including complex, multi-component NIH funding mechanisms (e.g., Centers and Consortia).
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external collaborators and funding agency officials to identify and develop new research and training opportunities.
• Provide guidance to junior faculty, Fellows, and other trainees on issues related to research development, IRB regulations, manuscript analysis and presentations, hiring, and BMC/BUSM and NIH guidelines related to conducting research
• Contribute as a co-author on peer-reviewed manuscripts of research results; i.e., participate in the development of the research question, interpretation of results, review of background literature, and writing text.

Research Project Implementation and Oversight

• Oversee the development and implementation of research projects for the PI and Clinical Investigators within WRAP. Monitor progress and productivity of each research project
• Oversee coordination of Data Safety Monitoring Board activities (meetings, charter, minutes, reports). Develop research study protocols, and update written protocols as necessary
• Direct activities related to IRB protocols including developing new protocols, responding to complex scenarios, ensuring investigators and staff are compliant with training regulations, tracking/reporting adverse events
• Develop NIH progress reports. Serve as a liaison with NIH Program Officials

Project Development

• Coordinates/facilitates the research project management life cycle, including initiation, development, and implementation of all complex experimentation projects in the WRAP Program. Responsible for the completion of both research and project management deliverables, including project plans/research schedules,  progress reports/investigational applications
• Responsible for scoping, directing early research activities, training manager-level research staff, and managing the completion of investigational forms
• Directs research teams, and manages research project timelines, to ensure research projects or milestones are completed within the specified and in line with annual objectives
• Meets regularly with a large, multidisciplinary research team to collect and communicate high-level business and research requirements, and set expectations for research-related work

Staff Management

• Supervise research staff (e.g.,  Clinical Investigators, 2-4 Post-Doctoral Research Fellows, Biostatistician, WRAP Coordinator, etc.) including training, delegating tasks, overseeing daily activities, mentoring, guiding through demonstration of best practices and offering opportunities for professional development
• Prepares performance evaluations, submits timesheets; responsible for hiring, disciplining and processing terminations in accordance with established polices

Administrative Duties 

• Oversees purchasing, invoices and accounts payable for all projects in WRAP
• Collaborates with the Principal Investigator to monitor expenses, facilitate contracts, order materials and document all approved variances
• Liaisons with Institutional Review Board (IRB) to oversee submissions, correspondence, and regulatory binders, including administrative amendments
• Leads the development and writing of proposals to obtain funding for ongoing and future research activities 

The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Required Education: Master’s degree in a related field
• Preferred Education: PhD, specialized in serious mental illness or schizophrenia

EXPERIENCE:

• Successful candidates will have 7-10 years of experience in psychiatric research, public health, health care administration and/or related field, including experience managing projects and operations.
• Successful candidates will have a minimum of 3 years of experience working with clinical trials
• Supervision of other team members

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA):

• Advanced knowledge of grant application processes. Excellent ability to interpret PI goals.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to integrate broad concepts and attention to detail when approaching complex questions
• Able to prioritize work with an appreciation and understanding of organizational drivers, mission, critical objectives and budgetary expectations.
• Readily notices workflow breakdowns and is able to fix them, promoting effective and efficient systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interface with staff at all levels. Experience managing implementations in a dynamic and highly integrated organization

JOB BENEFITS:

• Competitive pay
• Tuition reimbursement and tuition remission programs
• Highly subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Career Advancement/Professional Development: Access a wealth of ongoing training and development opportunities that will not only enhance your skills but also expand your knowledge base especially for individuals pursuing careers in medicine or biomedical research.
• Pioneering Research: Engage in groundbreaking research projects that are driving the forefront of biomedical science.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

As the primary teaching hospital for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and BU schools of public health and dentistry, intellectual rigor shapes our inquiries. Our research is led by a belief that skin color, zip code, and financial circumstances shouldn’t dictate health.

Boston Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to Talentacquisition@bmc.org or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans