Department Overview

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, known as one of the pioneers in personalized cancer medicine, is an international leader in research and cancer treatment. Driven by its mission to end cancer as we know it, the institute is building upon its expertise in targeted treatments to advance the early detection of cancer when the disease is most treatable. The SMMART program is the flagship cancer personalized medicine initiative in the Knight Cancer Institute's Precision Oncology program. SMMART has two primary components - clinical trial operations and a basic and translational science research program. SMMART comprises a number of cutting-edge and complex clinical trials, supported by several types of funding mechanisms. A key objective of SMMART's research component is to support the translation of research assays into the clinical space for patient benefit.

Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles:

• We act BOLDLY--Breakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
• We SUPPORT each other--Respect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
• We work as a CONNECTED team -- We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone

Function/Duties of Position

The Assistant Director (AD) Clinical Research, Precision Oncology directly supports the Knight Cancer Institute (KCI) Director of Precision Oncology (PO) and SMMART trials. This is a leadership position that has as one primary focus to lead the clinical research efforts within the Knight Precision Oncology Program and the SMMART Treatment Program. This individual will work with the program leadership to develop a long-range strategic and associated financial plan for the clinical research infrastructure of precision oncology and the SMMART trials. The AD Clinical Research, Precision Oncology will build the capability to describe the clinical research portfolio across multiple parameters and conduct periodic analyses of the portfolio. The AD Clinical Research, PO will develop strategies for funding (e.g., pilot clinical research programs, program-projects, cores, clinical initiatives, and infrastructure). This individual will identify, investigate, and qualify funding sources for these components, including traditional and novel approaches. This individual will facilitate development of high priority funding opportunities in partnership with institutional resources, as appropriate. The AD Clinical Research, PO will develop reusable budget models and metrics to use as guidelines for research programs and cores to insure effective use of clinical research resources and to model alternative scenarios. The AD Clinical Research, PO will work with program leadership including the AD Research Collaborations, PO; the AD SMMART Treatment program and faculty to assess the feasibility of protocols and assists with protocol prioritization to maximize patient accrual. This individual will develop metrics to monitor progress. They will build capability to efficiently and effectively periodically report on these metrics. The AD Clinical Research, PO will conduct analyses of performance across key metrics, including submitted and awarded clinical research projects. Lastly, the AD Clinical Research will provide direct supervison of the clinical trial manager for the SMMART treatment program and indirectly supervises the SMMART regulatory team in the development and management of departmental policies and procedures affecting the submission, review, approval, activation and management of clinical research protocols.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Leads in the development of the clinical research programs associated with Precision Oncology.
  • Design and implementation of clinical trials to facilitate research objectives.
  • Design and implementation of research projects to facilitate program objectives.
• Develop reusable budget models and metrics to use as guidelines for research programs and cores to insure effective use or research resources and to model alternative scenarios.
• Interacts with senior leadership inside and outside of OHSU on a regular basis to establish clinical research operations for Precision Oncology.
• Directs audits of systems and practices to ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures and governmental regulations. Monitors/reviews meeting agendas, minutes, protocol submissions/tracking and departmental priority list. Reviews proposed and active studies to confirm that all regulatory and institutional requirements are met.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in biological sciences or a relevant field OR Bachelor's degree in biomedical, cancer-related or a relevant field and 10+ years clinical trials operations management or complex program management
• Maintain a high level of professional expertise through familiarity with current scientific literature
• Experience developing policies and procedures for collecting, preserving, and analyzing human blood and tissue biospecimens from clinical trials
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and work with both academic researchers and clinical staff
• Ability to multi-task efficiently and demonstrate good time management skills
• Excellent communication skills with strong ability to organize and implement working practice guidelines across multi-disciplinary team
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member to accomplish clinical research goals

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in biological sciences or cancer related field

Additional Details

Apply online. Please be sure to upload a Cover Letter and Resume/CV.

Effective Oct. 18, 2021, all OHSU employees were required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they had an approved medical or religious exception. If you are hired by OHSU, you will need to provide proof of vaccination (or approved exception) within 10 days of starting work.

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All are welcome