School of Nursing:

Established in 1931, Duke University School of Nursing is among the top ranked of the nation’s nursing schools. The School is proud of its overarching commitment to transform the future of nursing to advance health in individuals, families and communities. Members of the School of Nursing are part of an inclusive community that supports the professional goals of its people as they pursue excellence.

Comprised of 1,600 faculty, staff,instructors and students, the Duke University School of Nursing along with the Duke University School of Medicine and Duke University Health System create Duke Health. Duke Health is a world-class health care network. Founded in 1998 to provide efficient, responsive care, the health system offers a full network of health services and encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Private Diagnostic Clinic, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Duke University School of Nursing
Job Description
HR Title: Research Program Leader
Working Title: Research Program Leader for Health Innovation
Job Code: 1280
Job Level: 68

Note: This position is funded by sponsored research and is contingent upon faculty members’ ability to get grant funding (should external funding end, the position may end).

Work Hours: 30 hours per week

General Purpose
This position will serve as a research program leader for Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON)’s Health Innovation research area of excellence (RAE). Specifically, they will support two large NIH funded studies, one that uses digital health to improve diet quality among adults at risk for cardiovascular disease, and another that uses digital health to incentivize weight loss and dietary self-monitoring in real time to improve weight management. They will work individually or in a team to develop, coordinate and implement research and administrative strategies essential to the successful management of health innovation research projects led by faculty investigators. This includes working with multiple faculty, staff and students across the School of Nursing, around Duke, and with external partners on a variety of complex duties related to the research design, conduct, and analysis as well as dissemination activities of health innovation projects. Tasks include finding funding; contributing to grant proposals; developing outreach materials around innovation and the use of innovative digital tools; designing educational events; and providing general support, representation and guidance within the Center for Nursing Research.

As a research program leader, this position will help develop, grow and sustain the School of Nursing health innovation research portfolio. They area critical resource that contributes to the School’s goal of integrating mobile health (mHealth), health information technology, wearable devices, telehealth and other digital solutions to advance health and health outcomes.

Supervisor
This position exists within the Center for Nursing Research and reports to the Research Practice Manager with dotted line reporting to at least two faculty Principal Investigators.

Essential Duties

Program, Project or Portfolio Management
As program lead for Health Innovation, works with at least 2 principal investigator(s) and engages large groups of diverse stakeholders to develop strategies and set and define measurable outcome goals for projects within the health innovation research program. Manages progress of collaborating stakeholders toward achieving project/program goals. Identifies opportunities, gaps, constraints, needs and milestones; helps develop operational sustainability and communicates with PI to plan necessary resourcing and adherence to the budget. Manages and documents all aspects of the research project lifecycle as detailed in project scope of work. Communicates project/program progress with all major stakeholders and adjust plans and timelines according to feedback. Provides intellectual contribution to the research program including developing and editing research proposals and manuscripts. Ensures that institutional communications are shared with research program staff and faculty. Maintains communication within program and with other departments or offices to accomplish the program objectives. Maintains an awareness of regulations, policies, and resources relevant to research and therapeutic area and applies knowledge to the development and execution of operational plan. Ensures that all programs and projects are compliant with all relevant regulations and policies. Provides guidance to project staff on best practices in research study or program conduct (e.g., recruitment, consenting, study documentation, program evaluation, data capture, etc.). Represents research program or shared resource on behalf of the PI at internal and external meetings.

This position will work with DUSON IT, DHTS, OIT, ISO and the IRB to ensure digital health related projects are compliant. They will also facilitate partnerships with entities at Duke Nursing, SoM, Duke I&E and Duke Engineering, and with outside stakeholders.

Research Operations
Works with institutional leaders and offices to handle complex issues related to contracts and agreements. Helps the research program resolve complicated contractual problems. Serves as an expert resource to multiple study teams/research program regarding regulatory and institutional policies and processes. Leads meetings with multidisciplinary teams, including those with complex objectives.

Ethics and Safety
Develops and submits documentation and information for IRB review as relevant for the projects within the portfolio. Communicates with the IRB staff and reviewers and handles issues appropriately.

Data
In collaboration with data science and security colleagues, develops and implements protocols for research program that include strategies and processes to ensure data security and provenance. Serves as an expert data provenance and security resource for program area, including liaising with and being knowledgeable about other related resources at Duke. Serves as an expert resource to multiple study teams/research program with regard to mapping data flow. Predicts areas of vulnerability in the data flow plan. Determines areas where data provenance may be compromised, and helps study teams/research program staff work through solutions. Ensures that study teams are familiar with data flow resources at Duke. Seeks out, integrates, and applies new technical knowledge towards innovation and performance improvement, as relevant. Oversees implementation of new technologies and ensures continuous evaluation of technology solutions throughout the research portfolio.

Science
Independently develops substantial portions of funding proposals and grants. Assesses and determines solutions for operational shortcomings of proposals. Independently develops protocols for multiple complex investigator-initiated studies within the research program. Uses expertise in research design to provide significant contribution to protocols or research proposals. Contributes to the development of scientific publications or presentations. Serves as an author on poster presentations or publications.

Leadership and Team Science
Proactively seeks opportunities to add relevant skills and certifications to own portfolio. Keeps current with research updates and advances in the scientific area, considers the impact on the broad research portfolio, and oversees necessary implementation. Serves in a leadership capacity with internal and external groups (e.g., speaks at events, leads institutional initiatives or committees). Navigates processes and people involved in Duke clinical research, demonstrates the organizational awareness, and has the interpersonal skills necessary to get work done efficiently. Develops and implements solutions that work within the existing leadership or organizational structure. Demonstrates resilience, leadership, and actively facilitates change for research portfolio. Uses advanced subject matter expertise to solve complex problems or foster innovation within the research program. Communicates effectively with Center for Nursing Research colleagues and others to foster a culture of transparency and accountability. Address researcher team needs and ensure stakeholders encounter positive interactions with the Health Innovation RAE.

This position does not currently manage staff or budget.

Study and Site Management
Oversees the research resources and/or finance processes for a broad research portfolio. Works with central offices to optimize process. Works with the CRU or departmental leadership to ensure that studies within the research program are conducted in compliance with institutional requirements and policies. Oversees implementation of operational plans across research program, including at multiple sites.

Type of Research
Primary responsibilities of the Project Director would include developing and implementing project plans in coordination with internal and outside stakeholders; development of outreach materials around innovation and the use of innovative digital tools; communication and coordination between outside third-party companies and internal faculty and staff; drafting project proposals; design and coordination of educational events; and general support for the faculty PI’s.

Minimum Requirements
Education
Completion of a bachelor’s degree

Experience
Work requires a minimum of four years of research experience (e.g. research, clinical, interaction with study population, program/project coordination). A master’s degree may substitute for two years of related experience.

Preferred: Experience with digital product road-mapping. Experience working with software developers. Experience with contract negotiation, intellectual property and/or commercialization.

Special Skills
Relevant research program or project management experience in an academic, non-profit, private sector, clinic and/or health services organization. Experience with digital health product or research project development and grant management. Digital health (mHealth, health information technology, wearables, telehealth, etc.) and innovation vision and leadership experience. Experience working in an agile environment and ability to work on multiple projects. Ability to multi-task. Excellent attention to detail, follow-through, and accuracy of information; ability to display a commitment to high standards. Strong communication skills. Ability to learn new technologies quickly and eagerly.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.