Research Evaluation Specialist at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department

BSD CCC - Education



About the Department

The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant provides funding for ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center is comprised of over 190 faculty members from twenty departments with members currently being awarded over $47 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $28 million in non-peer reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, communications, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management and community outreach.


UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area with nearly 500 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC commitment to translate basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early phase studies. UCCCC opens over 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.



Job Summary

The Evaluation Specialist will lead the design of a comprehensive strategy to assess fidelity, impact, and potential of Cancer Center initiatives that support community outreach and engagement, education and training, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Examples include the Community-Academic Mini Grants Program, HealthyU health education program for UChicago community and staff, Oncology Lifetime Learners community training program, City Colleges of Chicago Cancer Clinical Research Internship, and diversity and inclusion workshops for faculty investigators and their research teams.


The position will oversee implementation of the evaluation strategy including data collection, management, analysis, and reporting. Responsibilities include coordination of evaluation activities among Cancer Center faculty and staff; management of work study students, interns, and other individuals hired to assist with evaluation activities; preparation of logic models, data visualizations, and other materials for grant proposals, progress reports, manuscripts, and public presentations; and familiarity with current challenges and best practices in program evaluation. The position reports to the Cancer Center's Director for Education, Training, and Evaluation and will also work closely with leadership in the Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Health Equity and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.


This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.



Responsibilities

• Performs background research on specified topics and synthesize information in the form of annotated bibliographies and literature reviews.
  
  


• Collaborates with Cancer Center leadership to articulate the desired outcomes of specific initiatives and their relation to the Cancer Center's mission (i.e., logic models).
  
  


• Adopts or develops process and outcome metrics across initiatives.
  
  


• Maintains familiarity with current challenges and best practices in program evaluation, especially with respect to common initiatives across cancer centers nationwide.
  
  


• Adopts or develops tools and procedures for data collection, management, and analysis.
  
  


• Leads coordination of evaluation activities among Cancer Center faculty and staff.
  
  


• Performs quantitative research activities, such as survey administration, data management, data cleaning and validation, and data analysis.
  
  


• Performs qualitative research activities, such as implementation of interview and focus group protocols, data management, data cleaning and validation, and data analysis.
  
  


• Manages work study students, undergraduate interns, and others hired to assist with evaluation activities.
  
  


• Leads development of internal briefs and data dashboards for Cancer Center leadership to monitor progress toward desired outcomes across initiatives.
  
  


• Leads development of methods writeups, data visualizations, and other materials for grant proposals, progress reports, manuscripts, and presentations to professional and lay audiences.
  
  


• Represents the Cancer Center at professional meetings and other outlets for the exchange of evaluation best practices and reports of impact.
  
  


• Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.
  
  


• Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology.
  
  


• Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis. Designs and manages databases. Writes reports, articles and manuscripts.
  
  


• Presents research findings at meetings and conferences, as well as to funding agencies. Conducts literature reviews. Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
  
  


• Performs other related work as needed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.



Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.



Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Public Health, Public Policy Behavioral/Social Sciences, Education, or related field.
  
  

Experience:

• Knowledge and skills developed through a minimum of 5 years.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated competency in mixed-method study design, implementation, data analysis, and reporting.
  
  


• Proficiency with data software (e.g., REDCap, Qualitrics, R, SPSS, Stata, NVivo, EVAL).
  
  


• Ability to contribute to multiple projects while demonstrating appropriate prioritization, attention to detail, careful documentation of work, and commitment to high quality results.
  
  


• Ability to understand, work with, and meet the needs of diverse teams and stakeholders.
  
  


• Ability to think independently, determine next steps in ambiguous contexts, and adapt to changing priorities and requirements.
  
  


• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
  
  


• Excellent operational knowledge of MS Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Ability to bend, crouch, or stoop.
  
  


• Ability to lift loads up tp 49lbs.
  
  


• Hybrid work arrangements will be considered.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
  


• Cover letter (preferred)
  
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family

Research



Role Impact

Individual Contributor



Scheduled
Weekly Hours

40



Drug Test Required



Yes



Health Screen Required



Yes



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required



No



Pay Rate Type

Salary



FLSA Status

Exempt



Pay Range

$72,000.00 - $104,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.



Benefits Eligible

Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.


Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.


We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.


All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.


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