Research Development Associate, Department of Medicine (PART-TIME)

The Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep medicine, in the Department of Medicine, is seeking applicants for a Research Development Associate (Research Development Professional IV) to spearhead the components needed to operationalize the PCORI project for a multi-center effort at implementation science in chronic rare disease. The Research Development Associate for PCORI will lead and implement university-wide grants and research development activities that support internal and external capacity building efforts aimed at creating the conditions needed to increase and strengthen pulmonary vascular disease, social determinants of health (SDOH), epidemiology, and patient empowerment-related grant activity. The purpose of this position is to provide strong and consistent leadership to establish structures, processes, and cultivate extensive collaboration across UArizona and in partnership with LATN PAHT Consortium partners, CEAL, patient support/empowerment networks, and other clinical teams to assess intervention feasibility and support multi-center research initiatives.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid
vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work week and/or a flexible schedule work arrangement in conversation with the supervisor.

• Using familiarity with various federal sponsoring agencies (primarily NIH) and prior experience in research development related roles, partner with faculty in proposal development efforts, including identifying funding sources and solicitations, managing proposals, ensuring alignment of proposals with the solicitation and funder's research priorities, and editing proposals to improve grantsmanship and ensure sufficient emphasis on scientific rigor and the integration of scientific/technical proposal content.
• Collaborate with College of Medicine research administration to increase the number and merit of rare chronic disease grant applications and in the synthesis of strategic goals for pursuing future funding, including identifying areas of existing and emerging strengths in the designated portfolio at UA, and gathering competitive intelligence on sponsors and funding opportunities.
• Provide guidance and identification of future funding opportunities in key interest areas of pulmonary vascular disease, SDOH, epidemiology, and patient empowerment.
• Organize and facilitate capacity building activities to increase awareness, support input gathering, and forge partnerships aimed at pulmonary vascular disease, SDOH, epidemiology, and patient empowerment related grant proposal pursuits.
• Coordinate with campus research administrators to ensure timely and successful submission and tracking of proposals.
• Design and implement research protocols and SOPs that support implementation science goals, with a focus on SDOH and patient-centered care. This requires engagement with community health worker organizations, innovation, and creativity while developing protocols and SOPS on practical, intervenable components of chronic rare disease.
• Create and validate surveys to assess SDOH, disease activity, and quality of life (QOL) in PH patients.
• Develop and maintain tools and guidance to facilitate proposal development and conduct trainings to assist UA faculty in interpreting funding agency and institutional requirements and in crafting competitive proposals.
• Collaborate with patient advocacy groups, community health workers, and referral partners to enhance study diversity, enrollment, and culturally competent care.
• Work with indigenous partners and community leaders to improve diversity in our Pulmonary Hypertension clinical trials.
• Work with policymakers and stakeholders on rare disease integration of a social prescription.
• Interface with LATN PAHT Consortium partners, CEAL, patient support/empowerment networks, and other clinical teams to assess intervention feasibility and support multi-center research initiatives.
• Oversee quality assurance and quality control processes for ongoing clinical trials, ensuring compliance with regulatory and institutional standards. This requires oversight of the work conducted by PCORI project Clinical Research Coordinators.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of implementation science, clinical research design, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with SDOH integration, stakeholder engagement, and community-based research.
• Proficiency in developing and validating survey instruments and patient-reported outcome measures.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, especially in multicultural and interdisciplinary settings.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and work effectively with diverse research and clinical teams.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Master's degree or higher in public health, community health, health administration and policy, biostatistics and epidemiology, or clinical translational science.