The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC) is seeking a Research Scientist 2 (RS2) for its Behavioral Measurement and Population Science (BMPS) Shared Resource team.

Job overview: BMPS provides an exciting opportunity to the incoming RS2 to develop broad-based research skills through collaboration with foremost cancer researchers at a premier cancer research institution serving the needs of the unique and diverse communities in New Mexico. Previous research knowledge and/or experience related to cancer is highly desired but not required. Important to our team and our work is for the successful candidate to demonstrate genuine energy and commitment to learn and contribute in this environment and to fit comfortably with our existing team.

BMPS overview: UNMCCC Shared Resources promote research efforts and speed the adoption of innovative methods and technologies that advance cancer research at UNM. For BMPS, this means supporting the development and implementation of cancer-focused population science and patient-centered research through a dedicated research infrastructure.

BMPS team members, including the RS2, support a variety of research projects led by UNMCCC faculty. Faculty members serve as principal investigators (PIs) for these projects and hire BMPS team members to perform specific research-related tasks (see below for details about these tasks). In this model, BMPS team members are assigned to projects at a percentage of their total weekly hours, depending on the needs of the project. With this work environment and tempo in mind, it is critical that in addition to the specific research-related duties described below, the RS2 can juggle competing demands through appropriate time management and has the soft skills necessary to navigate efficiently and effectively between different PIs, teams, roles, expectations, timelines, and priorities that compete for attention and effort on a daily basis. 

The vast majority of studies that BMPS supports are cancer control-focused population science research projects. Previous studies that BMPS has contributed to span the cancer care continuum: from examining barriers to obtaining appropriate cancer screenings to designing a community-based cancer survivorship program. Recent activity includes collaboration with the clinical research office to support multi-site studies. We will be happy to discuss our past and on-going work in more detail should you receive an invitation for an interview.

Team culture: BMPS is currently a small but growing team. We have worked hard to foster a warm, welcoming, and collaborative environment in which we value each other’s expertise and provide the opportunity to share experiences and perspectives to support our projects and nurture our team’s and each other’s needs and interests. We truly enjoy working together to serve the cancer control priorities of New Mexico and look forward to welcoming the next member of our team. 

RS2 duties and responsibilities: As a member of BMPS, you will be expected to be actively and concurrently involved in a wide variety of research related tasks. The specific duties and responsibilities of the RS2 position are detailed below.

1.      Supports multiple different research projects and works with numerous different PIs. Candidate must be able to communicate effectively with variety of PIs, switch between projects and people as needed throughout the day, and support a wide array of study activities.

2.      Provides project coordination and/or management for all aspects of research studies. Good clinical practices are utilized for rigorous human-subjects research approaches. Attention to detail as well as problem-solving and adaptability are essential. This may include managing day-to-day operations, collaborating with PIs and study staff on research design and development, developing standardized study processes, identifying and/or developing study materials, performing qualitative and/or quantitative analysis, and supporting development and dissemination of academic products. Candidate must be able to work effectively within a team and respond to project needs appropriately.

3.      Assists with maintenance and updates of regulatory approvals and compliance tracking. Candidate must be detail-oriented, extremely well organized, and understand the importance of protecting human subjects in research.

4.      Organizes and facilitates team meetings and other events associated with research activities such as focus groups and interviews with research participants. This may include scheduling team meetings (via Outlook, Zoom, etc.), developing meeting agendas, and maintaining meeting notes, action items, and timelines. Candidate must be clear and efficient communicator and willing to ask questions to clarify responsibilities and expectations.

5.      Assists with database development and data management needs of projects. This may include developing and managing databases using REDCap, Excel, Dedoose, NVivo, or other relevant platforms. Candidate must be comfortable working with or learning these or other technologies as required by assigned research studies.

6.      Engages with study participants to recruit, collect data (via surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups, for instance), and track participation. This may include phone calls, emails, Zoom meetings/discussions, and occasional travel to community sites over the course of a research study. Candidate must demonstrate effective and confident oral and written communication skills, comfort interacting with diverse groups and individuals, and ability to keep detailed records.

7.      Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned. Candidate must be flexible and a team-player, willing to take on a wide variety of tasks that often require learning as you go. The ability to learn quickly, ask questions, and jump into new situations without hesitation will help the right candidate succeed in this role. 

To be considered for an interview, in addition to a resume, please upload a cover letter detailing how previous work experience and training have prepared you for the specific duties and responsibilities of this position described above. Without a cover letter you will not be considered for this position.

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico’s cancer patients from all across the state. And they partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. In 2024 they treated more than 15,000 patients in almost 105,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. A total of 2,075 patients participated in cancer clinical trials to study new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNM Cancer Center were awarded $38.3 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 750 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.

Website: unmhealth.org/cancer

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Successful candidate must submit to a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check. Additional health screenings may be required, dependent on the nature of the research conducted, as determined by Employee Occupational Health Services.

Bachelor's degree; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

·         Bilingual (English/Spanish)

·         Master’s degree in related field

·         Experience with community-based research study design and implementation, including participant recruitment, data collection and maintenance, personnel management, and report writing.

·         Demonstrated experience with

o   Mixed methods research methodologies (quantitative and qualitative).

o   Database creation and maintenance, particularly REDCap.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.