The Department of Medicine is responsible for fulfilling the teaching, research, and clinical missions of the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and employs 486+ full-time salaried faculty members and 100+ academic appointees. Staff personnel include 600+ staff in 9 bargaining units, students, and volunteers. There are 250 clinical faculty practicing at multiple sites.

The Global Public Health section within the Division of Infectious Disease in the Department of Medicine at UCSD conducts high-caliber research on health-related issues and service utilization facing vulnerable populations in domestic and international settings.

The Program Manager will be integral to a fast-paced, small-to-midsized research lab (10 + staff, postdocs, students) for one Primary Investigator, Dr. Laramie Smith. The Smith lab works to advance health equity and stigma reduction in communities affected by HIV and substance use in the United States, Mexico, and Kyrgyzstan.

The incumbent must have a high degree of flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to work proactively as a team leader with initiative and creativity. Skills critical to this role include the ability to communicate and work effectively with various stakeholders and manage multiple projects with overlapping timelines, attending to the Lab's day-to-day needs and long-term objectives.

Problem-solving: The incumbent will independently develop program management tools (e.g., Gant charts) and oversee study timelines to achieve research objectives while navigating a diverse scope of project needs. This position sets workflow priorities and utilizes workflow analysis to identify and promote strategies to strengthen the Smith Lab's productivity and reputation.

Manage lab activities: The incumbent will coordinate all finance, personnel management, and administer some or all of the Smith Lab's operational activities. This position provides direction to subordinate staff according to established policies and management guidance. This position will recommend changes to lab policies and practices in response to potential project risks and delays and to optimize the lab workflow and cohesion.

Research Development: The incumbent assists in time-sensitive IRB/grant submissions and reporting in conjunction with the PI and administrative departments. The incumbent should apply extensive knowledge as a public health/research professional to implement and manage multiple, multi-year studies across diverse methods and community partners.

Under minimal supervision, this position oversees the lab activities and staff, including supervising entry / intermediate level research and/or instructional associates and laboratory support staff. Typically works in small to medium or single facility laboratory. Supervises the development and execution of major or multi-disciplinary research projects or instructional and experiment design.

• Seven years of related experience, education/training, OR an Bachelor's degree in related area plus three years of related experience/training.

• Leadership skills associated with planning work assignments, establishing priorities and scheduling instructional space. Solid knowledge associated with recruitment and training procedures.

• Solid interpersonal communication skills to effectively supervise staff.

• Solid knowledge of data collection protocols. Previous experience with NIH R01 funded study implementation necessary.

• Demonstrated experience working with Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and IRB regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Focus of knowledge and skills dependent on area of specialty (laboratory research or instructional / experimental design). Advanced and highly specific knowledge and expertise associated with conducting and reporting on scientific research experiments and findings. Advanced knowledge of fields of research related to HIV, substance use, and health inequities in gender, sexual, and racial/ethnically minoritized communities preferred.

• Solid interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff.

• Knowledge of data acquisition and analysis techniques.

• Advanced knowledge of research discipline or instructional design to collaborate effectively with faculty and function as a resource to research and instructional associates.

• Ability to conduct and report on scientific experiments and findings.

• Solid knowledge of the budget planning process. In-depth knowledge of multi-year budget planning process and direct experience with a diverse range of study funders.

• Demonstrated advanced organizational and project management skills (preferably in an academic setting), including the ability to work independently, determine priorities, and complete multiple projects accurately, efficiently, and with a high level of attention to detail while working with conflicting deadlines.

• High level of reliability and dependability, demonstrated ability to exercise political acumen and maintain strict confidentiality.

• Advanced knowledge of a limited variety of specialized laboratory equipment. Specialized laboratory equipment related to sociobehavioral data collection methods, tools, and software. Solid knowledge and skills relating to the development of survey instrumentation.

• Fluent in English, English and Spanish, or English and Russian.

• Minimum 3 years of direct experience with research and project coordination and management on social and/or behavioral science research studies.

• Masters of Public Health with Project Management Certification or similar.

• Established working relationships with the following UCSD and Department of Medicine administrative offices, as well as HIV- and community-based service organizations.

• Experience in IRB and grant preparation, literature search and citation management, and maintaining faculty CV and publication files.

• Experience working with minorities racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender communities.

• Requires flexibility in work schedule to meet demanding and changing workload.

• Current State of California Drivers License required.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.