(Hybrid) Research Operations Specialist - WVU Cancer Institute

The Cancer Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Research Operations Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The West Virginia University Cancer Institute (WVUCI) Research and Facilities Operations Specialist provides operational, project management, and strategic coordination support to the WVUCI Senior Leadership Team and WVUCI members. Reporting to the Associate Director of Administration, this position supports WVUCI research infrastructure initiatives, share resource facility operations, research and office space coordination, policy implementation, and WVUCI operational priorities.

The position serves as a key operational liaison among the WVUCI Senior Leadership team, research program leaders, WVUCI members, WVU and WVU Medicine facilities, WVUCI core facilities, external vendors, and institutional stakeholders to support efficient research operations, infrastructure planning, and execution of strategic initiatives that advance the WVUCI mission.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Research Operations and Infrastructure Support – 60%

  • Coordinate and monitor all WVUCI funded infrastructure projects, WVUCI laboratory renovations and upgrades, relocations, and operational initiatives.

  • Assist with implementation and tracking of research and office space management activities and infrastructure planning initiatives.

  • Collaborate with WVU and WVU Medicine Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety, core facilities, researchers, and WVUCI leadership to support research operations.

  • Track project timelines, operational deliverables, and action items for ongoing initiatives.

  • Assist with coordination and communication related to planned outages, infrastructure upgrades, emergency response efforts, and operational disruptions affecting research activities.

  • Support research space utilization analysis, reporting, and documentation.

  • Assist in gathering and organizing materials related to construction planning, renovation initiatives, and infrastructure grant submissions.

  • Support implementation of operational standards, policies, procedures, and best practices related to research operations and facilities management.

  • Coordinate operational logistics related to laboratory and office relocations.

  • Contribute to strategic initiatives focused on research accessibility, operational efficiency, and infrastructure enhancement.

  • Manage WVUCI common research equipment and common research space, to include service agreements, equipment certifications, and safety audits.

  • Serve as the liaison with external vendors to purchase, maintain and repair common scientific equipment.

  • Partner with WVUCI research faculty members as needed to coordinate the acquisition of scientific equipment and manage all associated laboratory relocation logistics.

• Operational Administration and Strategic Support – 20%

  • Prepare operational reports, summaries, presentations, dashboards, and documentation for leadership and stakeholders.

  • Maintain records and databases related to research operations, facilities initiatives, equipment inventories, and institutional projects.

  • Assist with budget tracking, procurement coordination, invoice processing, and operational expense monitoring.

  • Support development and implementation of operational workflows and process improvement initiatives.

  • Coordinate collection and organization of institutional data related to research infrastructure and core facility operations.

  • Coordinate the WVUCI Space Committee.

  • Assist with preparation of materials for committees, strategic planning initiatives, and leadership meetings.

  • Monitor operational progress on assigned initiatives and provide status updates to leadership.

  • Serve as a resource for operational inquiries from researchers, staff, and institutional stakeholders

• Shared Resources and Stakeholder Engagement – 20%

  • Support scheduling process, operational activities and special initiatives for WVUCI core facilities and common equipment.

  • WVUCI vendor liaison for equipment purchase, maintenance, and repair.

  • Montor and coordinate service agreements, equipment certifications, and safety audits for shared resource equipment. Coordinate relocation/renovation projects for WVUCI Shared Resources.

  • Assist with coordination of communications and collaborative initiatives across research support units and core facilities.

  • Facilitate communication between investigators, facilities personnel, research administration, and institutional leadership.

  • Support development of operational resources, guidance documents, and informational materials related to research operations and core facilities.

  • Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with institutional stakeholders and external partners.

  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the WVUCI’s mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Scientific discipline (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry), Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Research Administration, Science Administration, or related field required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the following:
  • Progressively responsible experience in research administration, healthcare operations, higher education administration, laboratory operations, facilities coordination, or project management.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong project management and operational coordination skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, reporting tools, project management software, and database management systems.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Familiarity with research operations, research infrastructure, core facilities, or institutional administration preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with systems such as Workday, iLab, and MS Project preferred.
• Experience supporting complex operational or research environments preferred.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and working with institutional stakeholders strongly preferred.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.

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