The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office is seeking a motivated individual for a full-time Research Scientist 3 position to serve as the Protocol Development Specialist for the Protocol Development Team. To facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries by UNMCCC investigators to investigator-initiated clinical trials (IITs), the Translational Science Initiative (TSI) was launched in 2020. The goals of TSI are to promote collaborations between basic and translational scientists and clinical investigators; to support the recruitment, career development, and retention of clinician-scientist faculty; and to develop innovative early phase IITs based on UNMCCC science. To support this initiative, the Protocol Development Team (PDT) was developed in 2022 to provide resources, expertise, and specialized administrative support for clinical trials, including: expert assistance with study design, protocol writing, compliance with regulatory requirements, budget development and contract negotiation. The UNMCCC is now seeking a motivated individual for a full-time Research Scientist 3 position to serve as the PDT Leader. This individual will be responsible for continued development of the PDT resource for investigators, will work closely with the Clinical Trials Office on regulatory and IND submissions, and will be a primary point of contact for pharmaceutical sponsors. The Protocol Development Team will continue to grow and evolve into a multi member team. This individual will work closely with many stakeholders including investigators, the Clinical Research Office, and senior leaders. This role will work to continue to evolve and implement policies and procedures as well as processes for the Protocol Development Team as well as compile agendas, minutes, and reports for meetings. This role will also work directly with investigators on drafting key research study documents such as protocols and informed consent forms. This individual will need to possess an excellent ability to communicate effectively over the phone, in person, and through written correspondence. This position requires an individual that has a strong attention to detail, is a self-starter, and can work effectively as a member of a team or as an individual. An ability to set and manage priorities, adapt to change and last-minute work assignments is essential. This position is eligible for remote and/or a hybrid work position.

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 146 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico’s cancer patients from all across the state and partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. They treated 13,578 patients in 105,748 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. A total of 1361 patients participated in cancer clinical trials, including 544 (40%) patients who participated in clinical trials testing new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The more than 102 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNMCCC were awarded $36.2 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, they have published 930 manuscripts, and promoting economic development, they filed 136 new patents and launched 10 new biotechnology start-up companies. Finally, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 530 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery. Learn more at http://cancer.unm.edu.