Clinical Research Associate

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.

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

We are seeking a full‑time Clinical Research Associate to serve as Project Director (PD) of a clinical research study in people with cancer, specifically cancer survivorship, treatment‑related toxicities and rehabilitation strategies. The PD will work directly with the PI, Lab Manager, and Intervention Supervisor to execute all aspects of the clinical research, with particular oversight for recruitment and data collection. This person is responsible for day‑to‑day project management duties and will be responsible for overseeing elements of the project that may include: participant recruitment and retention, development of study recruitment materials and procedures, regulatory compliance, data quality and management, intervention delivery, budget management, progress reporting and dissemination.

Day‑to‑day research responsibilities include overseeing research assistants/student trainees on scheduling of participants for appointments, overseeing collection, entry and quality of data, communicating with study participants as needed, purchasing research supplies, and working in partnership with the members of the study team to maintain scientific quality across all studies. They will also be writing data summaries, project reports, and possibly presenting research findings at scientific meetings.

We expect the Clinical Research Associate to work with the team to identify and resolve research issues, develop research ideas, and disseminate results. The ideal candidate is ambitious and eager to contribute to the PI’s program of research, has strong communication skills both within a team environment and with participants, has strong organizational skills, and can demonstrate a commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of data collection in a research environment.

Must be able to work and lead independently, including maintaining oversight of study timelines, benchmarks, milestones, and deliverables. A positive, solution‑oriented mindset is required! The person hired must be CPR/First Aid certified or be willing to obtain this prior to the position’s start date. This is a grant funded position for up to one year but may be extended depending on project needs and funding.

Oversee study timelines and benchmarks: Oversee and manage research grants and maintain oversight and delegation of study timelines, benchmarks, milestones, and deliverables. Organize and run investigator meetings. Coordinate activities between research sites.

Oversee recruitment: develop and maintain recruiting strategies, lead recruiting functions, accrue near/at target sample for studies.

Maintain regulatory documents / compliance: maintain all IRB and related documentation, submit modifications and annual reports; assure all internal regulatory documentation are obtained, stored and secured according to protocol; assure compliance with all regulatory policies and procedures.

Oversee data collection systems and activities: strive for high compliance and retention in the study, maintain study databases, perform regular data checks, clean data in preparation for statistical analysis.

Assist with data analysis, abstract/manuscript preparation and progress reports: conduct simple descriptive data analysis; work with statistical team on analysis planning and execution; contribute to manuscript preparation through construction of tables, figures and…