DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Center for Human Development (CHD) organizes the research efforts of faculty from throughout the UC San Diego community and beyond who are interested in a more integrative and interdisciplinary approach to understanding human development.

The Center for Human Development (CHD) in University of California, San Diego, is committed to actively promoting our Principles of Community and continually advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within all levels of our organization. In line with the goals of UCSD’s Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence supporting a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and fostering a positive and welcome climate where all are valued, we strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented communities, to apply.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study is a large-scale longitudinal study of brain, cognitive, and emotional development that will follow mothers and their children from before birth through the first decade of life. The project will involve over 7,000 families at 27 sites across the United States and the close partnership of over 700 investigators, research staff, consultants, external board members, and federal collaborators from a dozen NIH institutes and offices. The HBCD Consortium seeks to better understand which harmful and protective environments exert the greatest impact on child development. Knowledge gained from this research will help to improve the health and development of children across the nation.

The Project Manager provides program administration and project management services for the HBCD Study. Creates and manages plans for assigned projects, identifying scope, timeline, roles, and priorities. Adopts a work breakdown structure to define and track a hierarchy of deliverables, tasks, and subtasks, identify task dependencies and project risks. Acts as a liaison to subject matter experts and leadership to gather requirements, conduct needs assessments, develop project plans and workflows, propose solutions, and manage research project implementation. Develops and monitors metrics to ensure the ongoing success of complex projects and completion of study milestones. Participates in the development and refinement of study tracking and monitoring tools with the HBCD developers and data management group. Provides regular progress reports to study leadership and workgroups.

The HBCD Study Research Project Manager uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research professional with a full understanding of analytical practices, policies and procedures; researches, analyzes and develops solutions to a wide range of issues. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Primarily deals with policies, programs and proposals which are complex in nature and diverse in scope. Develops new programs, policies or procedures for possible implementation.

Specific areas of focus include development and implementation of procedures for HBCD’s activities and initiatives related to:

1) communications efforts to promote awareness about the study and its benefits to a variety of stakeholders

2) management of an internal publications review process and dissemination of study findings

3) professional development of consortium staff, students, and postdoctoral scholars

4) oversight of vendor selection and licensing agreements for consortium-wide procurement needs

5) advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion goals across all facets of HBCD.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Advanced degree in related area preferred.

• Knowledge of common organization- or research-specific and other computer application programs.

• Strong skills in analyzing, researching and synthesizing large amounts of data for preparing sound and relevant proposals / analyses.

• Strong policy analysis techniques.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.

• Analytical / problem-solving skills.

• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.

• Fluent in Spanish preferred but not required.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• This position may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement, which could include a non-standard work schedule, and/or the ability to work off-site part of the time. The employee shall be available full-time during assigned work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor).

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Must be willing and able to travel (infrequently).

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.