Research Project Manager

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health is committed to advancing health equity and improving well-being through research, education, partnerships, and practice. Our faculty, staff, researchers, and students work collaboratively with communities near home and around the world to understand and address the social, behavioral, and structural factors that shape health. Employees join a purpose-driven department dedicated to turning knowledge into action, building meaningful partnerships, and developing solutions that promote healthier, more equitable communities.

We're seeking an experienced part-time Research Project Manager to coordinate and oversee a randomized controlled trial investigating tobacco cessation interventions across urban and rural settings in a lower-middle-income country. The Project Manager will serve as the central liaison between the research headquarters and field site project managers, ensuring cohesive implementation, protocol fidelity, and operational excellence across all study locations.

Responsibilities*

• Collaborate with research investigators, field teams, and community representatives to finalize study materials, methods, and protocols
• Coordinate with project managers at each field site to monitor study progress, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure consistent protocol implementation
• Review and consolidate recruitment, retention, and data collection reports from multiple sites
• Facilitate communication between field teams and research investigators regarding timelines, resource needs, and protocol implementation and deviations
• Implement and oversee data safety and monitoring protocols, including adverse event reporting, data quality checks, and compliance with data protection regulations
• Coordinate with the Data Safety Monitoring Board by preparing interim safety reports and ensuring timely escalation of serious adverse events
• Establish standardized data validation procedures across sites to identify missing, inconsistent, or anomalous data requiring correction
• Monitor participant safety metrics and ensure field teams follow established safety procedures for managing unexpected health events
• Ensure timely IRB reporting and submissions, and maintain regulatory compliance and documentation
• Monitor key study performance indicators (recruitment rate, enrollment rates, follow-up completion, data quality metrics, and safety) and escalate issues requiring intervention
• Prepare progress reports for research investigators, other stakeholders, and funding bodies
• Support field site managers in problem-solving related to participant recruitment and retention, high-quality study implementation, and logistics in resource-limited environments
• Conduct periodic virtual and in-person site visits to audit operations and provide technical guidance
  
  
  

Required Qualifications*

• Education and experience: Master's degree and 4 years of related experience. (Supervisory and financial management experience preferred)
• Minimum 3 years of project management experience in clinical or public health research
• Experience working in low- or middle-income countries and coordinating multi-site studies
• Familiarity with RCT methodology, Good Clinical Practice standards, and data safety monitoring principles
• Strong organizational, management, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a part-time capacity
• Proficiency in remote collaboration tools and data management systems
  
  
  

Desired Qualifications*

• Background in tobacco control or substance use research
• Experience supervising or coordinating with field-based project managers
• Knowledge of urban-rural health service differences
• Experience managing adverse event reporting or safety data in clinical trials
  
  
  

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Locations

Remote with occasional field visits

Additional Information

This is a 50% position at 20 hours per week.

The salary range for this part-time position will be $29,052-$35,888 ($58,104-$71,776 full-time rate).

This will be a two (2) year term-limited appointment with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and available funding.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.