Director, Program on Oral Health
The University of Chicago

Department

BSD MED - Center for Health and the Social Sciences - Administration

About the Department

The Center for Health and the Social Sciences (CHeSS) provides the infrastructure to advance interdisciplinary research and training in health and social sciences at the University of Chicago. Housed under the Dean of the Biological Sciences Division's office, the Center attracts participation from across the University, including the Biological Sciences Division and Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM), the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science and Innovation (HDSI) at UChicago Medicine, Social Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Division, Business School, Harris School of Public Policy, Law School, Social Science Administration, National Opinion Research Center (NORC), and Argonne National Labs. The Center houses the Center for Health Statistics and the Center on Healthy Aging Behaviors and Longitudinal Investigations (CHABLIS). CHeSS supports and promotes innovation and collaboration as well as excellence in research, scholarship and training. With over 140 faculty associates from virtually all schools and divisions of the university, CHeSS serves as an incubator of ideas and supporter of research in health and the social sciences, sponsors seminars and workshops on campus, invites nationally-known scholars and policymakers to speak on a variety of topics, supports the writing and submission of grant applications and fundraising proposals, coordinates new research initiatives and projects, manages several training programs and provides expert research methods consultation during formative and operational phases of investigations.

CHeSS is also home to the Program on Oral Health working on multiple research and training programs. One of the largest research projects underway is the randomized control trial entitled 'A Randomized Control Trial on the Effects of No-Fee Basic Dental Care on Systemic Health of Older Adults'. By doing this study, we hope to learn about how offering no-fee dental care to older adults for a period of 5 years who do not have coverage for dental care affects their quality of life, health and health care costs.

Job Summary

CHeSS is seeking a Director, Program on Oral Health to lead development and operations for the Program on Oral Health, inclusive of the Dental Care Research Study.

Responsibilities

Operations

• Manage operations for a large randomized clinical trial and related sub-studies.
  
• Lead facilities planning, space utilization, and related contracts for Program activities and projects.
  
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies including IRB and oversee implementation of patient safety and human subject protections.
  
• Oversee purchasing of study equipment and supplies.
  
• Hire and manage all research team members including managers, research analysts, research coordinators and research assistants.
  
• Hire and manage all clinical team members including contracted dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and consultant.
  
• Oversee quality improvement and quality assurance activities that are related to activities such as participant recruitment, data management and routine reporting, and process standardization across clinical and research teams.
  
• Vendor management for existing and new needs for the Program in Oral Health.
  
• Support the integration of oral health measures and interventions into other research studies in and outside of CHeSS.
  
• Solve administrative and technical problems as they arise across the Dental Care RCT and other Program in Oral Health initiatives.
  
• Design and guide internal and external audits and manages external surveys.
  
• Develop, manage, and report on key data and ensures timeliness of data and reporting submissions from multiple investigators.
  
• Manage study related documentation as a co-investigator on research studies, including but not limited to signing consent forms, oversee rebate payments for study participants, and prepare study withdrawal letters as needed.
  
• Work closely with Faculty Director and Principal Investigators on study activities.
  
• Oversee data management in REDCap and electronic medical and dental records for study related items.
  
• Oversee expansion of Dental Care RCT and/or related studies to other sites.
  

Development

• Develop and implement oral health related training and education activities, including but not limited to the U01 funded CREDS program with Midwestern University and policy projects with students at Harris School of Public Policy.
  
• Serve as primary liaison to funders and key stakeholders for the Program on Oral Health, including senior leadership within the University.
  
• Prepare annual progress report(s) for Program on Oral Health activities and manage related budgets.
  
• Work collaboratively with oral health research analytic staff and faculty leaders to contribute to and in some cases lead grant funding proposals to national, state and private funding bodies and/or manuscripts for peer-review.
  
• Identify additional potential revenue streams and lead initiatives that expand Program on Oral Health activities, such as establishing a mobile dental unit.
  
• Identify and lead inter and intra-institutional Oral Health programming activities such as an Oral Health research symposium.
  
• Work with the CHeSS Executive Director to facilitate an annual seed funding application solicitation and review process.
  
• Establish and oversee strategies for community engagement, recruitment, and dissemination.
  
• Expand awareness of the oral health study and grow the network of researchers conducting research at the intersection of oral health, systemic health, and the social sciences.
  
• Represent the Dental Care RCT and the Program on Oral Health internally and externally at meetings, conferences, and community events.
  
• Advises the development of a formalized training program for both new and existing staff within the unit and any affiliates and/or partners. Monitors federal regulatory agency requirements related to clinical research training requirements and ensures training activities comply with requirements.
  
• Manages PI and other senior research faculty and personnel, participates as a skilled individual contributor and/or lead researcher as expert in specialized area. Ensures research projects progress according to plan by overseeing the coordination of the daily clinical trial activities.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree.
  

Experience:

• Proficient in monitoring and auditing clinical research trials for compliance/billing accuracy (e.g., site monitoring, quality assurance, create monitoring plans).
  
• Supervisory skills.
  
• Working knowledge of managing research projects.
  
• Background in a leadership role.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Content expertise in oral health and the social sciences.
  
• Thorough understanding of internal organizational systems and processes
  
• Ability to supervise and mentor staff and students.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Independent resourcefulness and ability to learn on the job.
  
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
  
• Ability to think creatively, problem solve, and proactively identify solutions.
  
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with stakeholders from various disciplines and knowledge bases.
  
• Ability to represent the Program on Oral Health at in-person meetings and events, including at occasional events in the evenings or on weekends.
  

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
  
• Cover Letter (required)
  

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

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

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.

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