Hybrid Senior Research Specialist - WVU Cancer Institute​/Cancer Prevention and Control

Senior Research Specialist – Cancer Prevention and Control (Hybrid)

The WVU Cancer Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Senior Research Specialist with Cancer Prevention and Control.

The WVU Cancer Institute (WVUCI) is seeking a detail‑oriented Senior Research Specialist to support original research to advance the field of cancer prevention and control, with an emphasis on tobacco use prevention, cessation, and policy research. The position is within the WVU School of Medicine Department of Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC). The position requires experience with and expertise in research methods, study design, data management, and statistical analysis and interpretation.

The Senior Research Specialist will play a key role in advancing research goals by assisting with scientific writing for grant proposals, protocols, and manuscripts. The role involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams and external partners, including academic institutions, public health agencies, and clinical stakeholders. The position supports the dissemination of research findings to a variety of audiences through the preparation of scientific outputs such as peer‑reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations.

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for ill, to care for sick family, or for regular medical appointments)
• Health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match and other retiree perks
• Wellness programs

• Supports original cancer prevention and control research using established scientific methods.
• Serves as a technical resource for data management and statistical analysis.
• Supports and facilitates the planning and execution of a variety of research project types, including descriptive studies, inferential statistics, randomized control trials, case–control studies, clinical quality improvement studies, and others.
• Collaborates with principal investigators and research teams to identify grant opportunities, write research grant applications, and contribute to progress reports and contract documentation and deliverables.
• Designs, implements, and maintains data collection tools for research studies, and documents data collection processes and procedures in written methodology reports.
• Assists with the development and implementation of a strategic plan for tobacco control research at the WVUCI.
• Conducts literature reviews to support research projects and publications and utilizes citation management software to organize references.
• Creates and maintains Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols to ensure data protection and research activities follow best practices, are conducted ethically, and are compliant with all policies for the responsible conduct of research.
• Disseminates research findings nationally, regionally, and locally through published manuscripts, presentations, research briefs, and other reports.
• Develops and maintains strong collaborative relationships with state and local partners, including healthcare organizations, public health agencies, and community advisory boards.
• Functions as a team member of the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control.
• Conducts special projects as assigned by supervisor or Chair of Cancer Prevention and Control.

• Master’s degree (MPH, MS, MA) in a health‑related field such as public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, behavioral science, community health education, social psychology, clinical psychology, implementation science, or another related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in health‑related research management or health‑related project management.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

• Knowledge of tobacco control research topics and the tobacco policy landscape.
• Knowledge of study designs to propose and test behavioral interventions for cancer risk reduction.
• Ability to create and manage research datasets and conduct statistical…