Research Program Project Manager - Nanomedicine

We are seeking a dynamic and highly organized Research Program Manager to lead and coordinate all operational and strategic efforts for the DART Resource Program. The DART (Dissemination of Ultra-Long-Acting Antiretroviral Release Technology) Resource Program is a newly established NIH NIAID R24-funded center dedicated to making a transformative drug delivery technology, the NanoDDI, available for research in preclinical models.

The successful candidate will be the central point of contact for the DART program, managing the synergistic execution of its objectives: 1) outreach and dissemination, 2) technology integration and deployment in user laboratories. This role is critical to establishing the NanoDDI as an essential tool and resource for the research community.

Key Responsibilities

Programmatic management for the DART

Outreach and Dissemination:

• Develop and manage outreach initiatives to engage with the research community, including organizing presentations at scientific meetings, creating and maintaining the program website, and planning and conducting webinars/workshops.

• Serve as the primary liaison for the DART Program and manage communication with investigators interested in utilizing the NanoDDI technology.

Technology Deployment and User Integration:

• Oversee the standardized workflow for deploying the NanoDDI into independent user laboratories, ensuring seamless integration to meet specific research needs.

• Coordinate with the initial cohort of users and manage the selection process for subsequent users based on established prioritization metrics.

• Collect and analyze user feedback and research outcomes to optimize the deployment process and enhance outreach efforts.

• Coordinate activities to broaden the applicability of the NanoDDI by expanding its portfolio of compatible drugs, including new small molecule ARVs and broadly neutralizing antibodies.

• Manage the execution of preclinical studies to verify target release rates for new drug formulations.

Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills:

The manager must be adept at building and maintaining relationships with a diverse network of investigators. They must be able to clearly and persuasively communicate the DART Program mission. The manager must professionally and effectively manage high-level relationships, acting as the primary liaison to ensure continued and effective Program execution.

Other Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all grant-related activities including progress report, budget and scientific research progress in line with milestones
• Coordinate meetings and project-specific meetings to track research progress, including PIs, co-investigators, Veterinarian Scientific Advisory Board, and other program personnel
• Budget, lab and personnel organization in the context of overall research goals
• Oversee manuscript preparation, editing and submissions
• Follow up with collaborators
• Manage the execution of MTA and NDAs
• Coordinate laboratory technical staff to execute projects
• Oversee IACUC and chemical protocols status and amendments.
• Assist with equipment acquisition and troubleshooting
• Provide interface between PIs, laboratories and users

Core Criteria for a Successful Candidate:

The ideal Research Program Manager will possess a specific set of skills and qualifications to ensure the DART program's success and impact.

Exceptional Project Management Expertise: The role requires managing the synergistic, concurrent aims of the project. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in developing timelines, managing resources, tracking deliverables, and mitigating risks for complex, multi-stakeholder research projects.

Advanced Scientific Acumen: A strong background in a relevant scientific field (e.g., biomedical engineering, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, devices, long-acting drug delivery) is essential. The manager must be able to engage in technical discussions with principal investigators and users, understand the nuances of the Program, and help with data interpretation to guide program development.

Grant Management and Reporting: Experience with federally funded grants, particularly NIH resource-related mechanisms (e.g., R24), is highly desirable. The manager will be responsible for tracking program metrics, managing budgets, and preparing progress reports for the funding agency.

Program Oversight and Growth: The manager must ensure all program activities adhere to the highest standards of research conduct. The manager will engage with prospective users and build new partnerships to advance the program's goals.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates face-to-face discussions between collaborators to encourage effective transfer of ideas and records. Develops and maintains positive working relationships to ensure that collaborators are informed of modifications, updates, and improvements to projects in a timely manner.

• Serves as an effective liaison between multiple client groups and stakeholders across various levels of management. Communicates results clearly and concisely and provides progress reports in an organized, consistent manner.

• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates with CMP staff for the emerging GLP device studies.

• Assists in the preparation and coordination of business development materials and activities for the program. Supports ongoing outreach, pilot programs and project management activities of the department's major projects/grants. Assists in writing SOP's and other regulatory requirement documentation.

• Maintains and provides in-services for the HM Faculty Start-Up Guide.

• Provides careful coordination with internal ancillary offices such as technology transfer, legal, grants and contracts, and business practices.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains organized records of successful collaborative projects and participants for all disciplines related to the department/project to be readily available to leadership as well as reporting purposes.

• Coordinates all elements required to translate pre-clinical safety studies (DLP-Good Laboratory Practices) in support of promising medical devices.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Understands project objectives, information and ideas presented and delineates plans to achieve deliverables in a specific measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely manner to assist the program and its project goals.

• Manages and maintains project-relevant information and documentation needed from project conception to completion as well as maintaining regulatory and milestone (financial) records as required for each study.

• Coordinates with necessary ancillary offices (grants and contracts, legal, IACUC, radiation safety, MITIE, academic departments, etc.) for the financial and regulatory needs of each study.

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops an inventory of support mechanisms through collaborations and service agreements that may be required for faculty startups such as: ¿elevator pitches¿, market analysis, accounting, IT, incubator space.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree

• Master's or terminal degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience in a health center (academic or clinical)