Staff Scientist & Program Coordinator
Meharry Medical College

This position will be responsible for the programmatic and operational management of the NIH-NHGRI-funded Diversity Center for Genome Research (DCGR), working closely with the PI Dr. Shanker, project awardees and students. The position will set goals and timelines in working with the PI and Co-Investigators, leads of the DCGR cores, and collaborators within and outside of Meharry Medical College (MMC). The position also works closely with the leads of the 3 genomics projects in DCGR, and personnel in the Office for Research & Innovation. The position is responsible for ensuring the timely accomplishment of project tasks and goals with high quality. The position also organizes and ensures effective interaction with external partners, including the funding agency (NHGRI), and senior faculty, who oversee student, fellows & other junior investigator training at other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), institutional review board (IRB), institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC), institutional biosafety committee (IBC), radiation safety committee (RSC), vendors, service technicians etc. The position also coordinates with the Genomic Workforce Development Core in conducting student and junior faculty training workshops, and Community Engagement Core to engage community stakeholders in genomics-related research, and also assist in preparation of instruction materials. This position also ensures that the project PIs laboratories stay compliant with institutional (Meharry), and NIH policies and guidelines related to the research as needed. The position will also conduct genomics wet lab experiments, perform data analytics, compile and interpret data, and write manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals. The position will also assist in developing new data-driven hypotheses to address the questions of health disparities.

Daily Operations

• Manage the day-to-day detailed aspects of the DCGR.

• Ensure that the key equipment in DCGR-funded researcher labs are in good working condition and key equipment are covered under service contracts.
• Develop Standard Operation Protocols (SOPs) for laboratories.
• Conduct genomics wet lab experiments, perform data analytics, compile and interpret data, and write manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
• Assist in developing new data-driven hypotheses to address the questions of health disparities.
• Work with other research staff in DCGR researcher labs and make sure that the labs are fully stocked and they maintain an inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Work with the DCGR biorepository and assist the staff with collecting biological specimens by adhering to safety standards.
• Participate in sample labeling, processing and storage.
• Work with the current Senior Program Manager for the Meharry Community Engagement Core to ensure access to and use of existing community engagement resources to engage community stakeholders in genomics research.

• Participate in student recruitment and training efforts.

• Must be able to inform and educate students and other research participants about study objectives, and engage with participants, and answer questions and address participant concerns related to project.
• Teach students, research staff and faculty in use of equipment and ensure that equipment use is recorded in the log book.
• Monitor student research participants and collaborating faculty to ensure adherence to study rules in various projects.
• Lead and coordinate activities to identify and convene a community advisory board, develop genomics research training materials, conduct community engagement studios to get community feedback on data privacy, confidentiality, access and other community-identified areas, and develop work and recruitment materials for Center projects.
• Ensure timely accomplishment of project tasks and goals with high quality.

• Prepare, submit and track protocols, amendments, and related documents relevant to appropriate IRB, IACUC, IBC, RSC, and other oversight groups.
• Adhere to research regulatory and ethical standards.
• Participate in electronic data entry and assist in data quality review and assessment.
• Oversee overall research program implementation, data collection, timelines, goals and conduct of related tasks
• Participate in weekly group meetings at MMC and monthly meetings coordinated by the NHGRI.

• Work independently and with multidisciplinary teams, interact with participants, multi-task, prioritize, and problem solve.

• Support PIs and Co-I in writing grant submissions, and teach students in abstract, and poster submissions as required.
• Coordinate in preparation of periodic progress reports for funding organization (NHGRI).

• Coordinate and manage program activities including external and internal advisory committee meetings, annual retreats and regional conferences.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Understands the importance/impact of data integrity in terms of sample collection, participant involvement, study results, costs, and scientific research.
• Regular contact with students, researchers, collaborators and community stakeholders requires the use of good judgment, tact and sensitivity.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required.
• Excellent attention to detail; Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Proficiency in the use of standard software applications, databases, spreadsheets and word processing required.
• Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to interact with students, faculty and/or staff in a team environment.
• Ability to lead and train staff and/or students.
• Must be team oriented.

• Doctor's Degree (Ph.D or D.Phil) in Genetics, Biochemistry or Bioinformatics or Biomedical sciences or related disciplines with at least 3 years of postdoctoral laboratory research experience in Genomics, Cancer Biology, and/or Immunology, and Microbiology.