Department: Prevention Science Institute
Rank: Research Assistant
Annual Basis: 12 Month
Review of Applications Begins
January 15, 2026; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications are completed online and must include:
• a letter of interest
• a current résumé/curriculum vita
All application materials should specifically address how you, as an applicant, meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position.
Department Summary
The Prevention Science Institute (PSI) is a multi-disciplinary institute focused on understanding human development, preventing behavioral health problems, and implementing effective interventions in community settings. The PSI encompasses focus areas consistent with the field of prevention science, including prevention and intervention, and implementation science. Understanding effective intervention strategies and the outcomes associated with these interventions across multiple domains of functioning, including biological, social, and contextual, is the focus of research at the PSI. The core mission of the PSI is to improve the lives and well-being of children, individuals, and families throughout the lifespan. The PSI is committed to research that expands our understanding of interventions and development with diverse populations, and actively seeks to promote research that reduces health disparities in service utilization.
Position Summary
The Lab Manager (LM) will be involved in organizing key research activities across multiple federally-funded human subjects’ research projects led by Drs. Cioffi, De Anda, and Leve. The research projects are complex clinical trials with community partnerships, contractual arrangements, and pilot research and development projects. Current funded research projects bring in 1-2 million dollars annually.
This position will work closely with Dr. Cioffi and the investigative teams for all her research projects to ensure that project metrics are on track to be met. It will also provide overall organization of Dr. Cioffi’s Community Outreach and Harm Reduction Research (COHR) Lab to sustain successful growth, staff training and support, and institutionalization. Main responsibilities of this position include: management and oversight of the day-to-day running of activities across project levels; providing training, direction, and support to project coordinators and co-investigators across research projects, including those at other sites/institutions; coordinating and overseeing COHR Lab proposals, amendments, and annual reviews submitted to UO’s Internal Review Board (IRB) for Human Subjects Review; managing projects’ budgets, including oversight of weekly spending plans based on project projections, cost fluctuations, and/or award cuts; facilitating external research consultant contracts; assisting the investigative team with preparing and collecting materials for grant proposals and annual project reviews; facilitating the execution of data use agreements and material transfer agreements; organizing and guiding approval processes at all project levels across involved institutions; and coordinating start-up activities of newly funded projects.
The lab manager must be comfortable with fast-paced, complex research program management, including budget and finance management, IRB coordination, meeting coordination, and developing strategic relationships and partnerships with both internal and external staff and collaborators. The lab manager will work closely with the PSI’s administrative staff and other on-campus units such as Research Compliance Services, Sponsored Projects’ Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Innovation Partnership Services, Travel, and Purchasing and Contracting Services. The lab manager will communicate and translate scientific data to a wide variety of audiences, be flexible, and be able to facilitate adjustments to quickly problem solve conflicting priorities and evolving needs as they arise.
The position will directly supervise project coordinators, data managers, and programmers within the COHR Research Lab, and provide supervisory support and oversight of additional project staff, such as assessment coordinators, participant interviewers, recruiters, data analysts, and undergraduate and graduate-level students. The lab manager will coordinate hiring, evaluations, and lab meeting schedules. This position regularly requires the exercise of independent judgment and comprehensive knowledge of the University of Oregon and Prevention Science Institute operations, and local, state, and federal policies applicable to each project and funder. The lab manager will be responsible for decisions related to program oversight and will consult with and make recommendations to leadership as needed.
Flexibility is required in regard to work schedule and time; the applicant must be able to provide assessment support and support other assessment staff with scheduling challenges as they arise.
Minimum Requirements
• BA/BS degree in Prevention Science, Social Work, Psychology, Management, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• 3 years of leadership experience within a human subjects’ research lab or similar work environment.
• 3 years of project management experience related to research in higher education, research organizations, and/or a related environment.
• 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience conducting standardized assessments.
Professional Competencies
• Extensive experience with Redcap and Qualtrics data collection tools and with Microsoft Office, and other software programs, including Teams, Dropbox, OneDrive, SharePoint, Zoom, databases, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, Google Docs, and Concur Travel Software .
• Exceptional time management skills, with a strong attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with overlapping deadlines and frequent interruptions while maintaining a high level of • Excellent planning and project prioritization skills
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills to obtain, provide, or exchange information with project collaborators and staff, including a capacity for sensitivity, confidentiality, and diligence with regard to personnel and human subjects information.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds as well as to develop knowledge of, respect for, those from a broad array of cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, understand, explain, and comply with university and government policies, rules, and regulations
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills and ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present data/information
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment
• Ability to represent the PSI in a professional manner with a diverse set of stakeholders, including investigators, staff, administrators, students, and research participants.
• Ability to manage complex environments in a calm, constructive, and professional manner
• Strong technical ability and knowledge; high level of competence in managing and organizing computer data files; assessing FTP servers, using study databases, and troubleshooting basic technical problems.
Preferred Qualifications
• 2+ years of direct supervisory experience.
• 5+ years of participant recruitment experience.
• Experience collecting and/or overseeing the collection of human biospecimen samples (e.g., salivary cortisol, saliva DNA, blood spots).
• Knowledge of clinical trials regulatory procedures.
• Knowledge of participant tracking databases.
• Experience working with adoption agencies or adoptive and birth families.
• Experience working with underserved communities.
• Experience working with both on-site and remote teams.
• Experience using Concur Travel Software.
• Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, and databases.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.
The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
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