Research Program Assistant Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Location
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, is seeking an experienced, intellectually curious, and highly organized individual with international research experience to serve as a Senior Research Program Manager. The candidate will work with the program Principal Investigator alongside collaborators from institutions across the globe on projects spanning implementation science research, clinical trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies - with the overarching goal of improving quality of life for populations in resource-limited settings and domestically.
This role bridges strategic research objectives with tactical delivery, managing timelines, budgets, compliance requirements, and cross-functional coordination across research centers, clinical trial portfolios, and sponsored research programs. The Manager oversees the operational delivery of multi-year, multi-million-dollar research portfolios - including award management, multi-site collaboration, budget oversight, and compliance with federal and university policies - while working actively with faculty to foster a research-engaged environment, contribute to strategic planning of the research division, and identify new funding opportunities.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Project Planning & Stakeholder Coordination

• Develop and maintain project timelines and documentation systems integrating all research phases (protocol development, regulatory approval, enrollment, data collection, closeout)

• Organize and facilitate project meetings with investigators, research staff, institutional administrators, and external partners - including preparation of all materials, coordination of conference calls, and support for steering, executive, and scientific advisory committee meetings; document action items and ensure follow-through

• Communicate project status, milestones, risks, and outcomes to all stakeholder groups; serve as the primary liaison to granting agencies in coordination with the PI, and between research teams and institutional/external partners

• Collaborate with PIs and research coordinators at all subaward sites; manage required documentation of trial participants and ensure regulatory compliance at each site; track site progress and confirm each site has proper infrastructure to support grant activities, including staffing, enrollment training, and data management

• Authorize site enrollment; develop operating standards for each site and train accordingly; actively participate in site initiation visits and audits; take appropriate steps to mitigate problems related to data management, enrollment, or documentation requirements

• Identify operational obstacles (scheduling conflicts, budget constraints, regulatory delays, staffing challenges) and work collaboratively to resolve issues while maintaining compliance and quality

• Manage and participate in collaborative grant-writing projects; independently initiate new grant proposals, improve existing study protocols, and identify new avenues for funding opportunities

• Provide supervision, technical guidance, and expertise for Research Assistants; may be responsible for recruiting, hiring, and managing staff related to assigned research projects, ensuring appropriate budgetary support

• Work actively with faculty to create a research-engaged environment; suggest strategies for research growth; participate in the strategic planning of the research division

Budget Development & Financial Oversight

• Develop and monitor project budgets across all cost categories; track expenditures, flag variances, and forecast spend in coordination with finance and departmental administrators

• Prepare financial reports for research leadership and sponsors; support budget justifications for grant proposals and renewals in compliance with NIH and federal guidelines

• Manage subaward budgets and third-party invoicing in coordination with post-award administration

Regulatory Compliance & Sponsor Coordination

• Coordinate with regulatory offices (IRB, biosafety, research administration) to ensure timely submissions, approvals, and ongoing protocol compliance with NIH/federal regulations and sponsor requirements

• Manage communications with sponsors (NIH, foundations, industry partners); track and respond to reporting deadlines, budget modifications, no-cost extensions, and other sponsor-required submissions; advise and explain protocols and expectations to participating sites and ensure all granting requirements and deadlines are met

• Read publications, regulations, and directives and take action as appropriate; draft policies and procedures in accordance with University and Department directives

• Assist with preparation of renewal applications and grant proposals that rely on program-level data, publications, and outcomes

Data Management, Analysis, & Reporting

• Maintain databases and tracking systems for grants, awards, milestones, and key performance indicators; analyze project data to identify trends and forecast outcomes (enrollment projections, spending trends, resource utilization)

• Create and maintain REDCap databases including design of data collection forms, extraction and uploading of datasets, and creation of reports

• Assist data managers in monitoring data quality and progress reports; track performance against institutional and sponsor benchmarks

• Prepare progress reports, metrics summaries, and data analyses for research leadership, sponsors, and external committees; use data visualization to communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences and support renewal applications and publications

Research Dissemination & Publications

• Contribute to preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations that communicate research findings and program outcomes to the scientific community

• Support submission of abstracts and posters for national and international conferences; coordinate logistics for conference presentations and participation

• Perform other duties as assigned

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Clinical Research And Program Management, Including Leadership And Management (4 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job

• Hybrid position; on-site office work in St. Louis, Missouri as needed
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required
• Occasional travel to international research sites and scientific conferences may be required
• Open to candidates with U.S. citizenship or a valid work visa
• Target start date: on or about September 1, 2026

Example Research Projects

• A clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of community lay supporters to improve HIV viral suppression for people living with HIV in rural Uganda.
• A clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of community health worker-delivered gestational and postpartum diabetes screening in urban slums of India
• A study to improve adherence to guidelines for dual antiplatelet therapy among Emergency Department patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in business administration, public health, healthcare administration, biomedical sciences, or related field
• Experience working in international settings
• Three (3) years of experience in NIH/federal grant coordination, research administration, clinical trial management, or research program management - including demonstrated experience managing NIH-funded research portfolios, coordinating with federal sponsors, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations
• Advanced project management skills (planning, scheduling, budget management, risk management)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience in an academic medical center, research hospital, or higher education research administration environment
• Experience managing clinical research programs or clinical trials, including multi-site trials
• Leadership experience managing research staff remotely
• Knowledge of NIH funding mechanisms and grant review processes
• Advanced proficiency with data analysis tools (Excel, Stata, R) and REDCap database design and implementation

Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Academic Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Communication, Consulting, Data Management, Deadline Management, Decision Making, Developing Proposals, English Grammar, FDA Regulations, Fund Compliance, Grant Review, Group Presentations, Independent Judgment, Organizing, Regulatory Compliance, Research Grants, Research Programs, Research Protocols, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Development, Training People
Grade
C14
Salary Range
$77,700.00 - $120,400.00 / Annually
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.