Research Project Manager - PSCI

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

The Research Project Manager oversees and advises on Penn State Cancer Institute (PSCI) research project operations, including project deliverables and timelines, data management and plans, and financial administration, while also providing guidance to research team members and serving as a point of contact with faculty, sponsors, and leadership. In addition, the role provides comprehensive administrative, programmatic, and research support within the PSCI, including coordinating grant submissions for PSCI faculty and delivering administrative support to the Associate Director for Basic Research and Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Program Leader in support of their responsibilities within PSCI.

The position supports core PSCI operations by contributing to Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) activities and assisting with PSCI events.

• Review, analyze, and process proposals, contracts, and grants submitted to federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private corporations and foundations
• Manage all components of the grant submission process, including identifying application requirements, coordinating responsibilities with the Principal Investigator (PI), and ensuring timely completion of all materials
• Develop detailed budgets using SIMS and verify that PIs and Co‑Investigators have completed all required trainings and documentation
• Prepare, compile, and route proposal components in CAYUSE to meet submission deadlines
• Researching, evaluating, and advising investigators on research trends and other relevant resources
• Provide guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with government regulations and University research policies, staying current with evolving compliance requirements and regulatory changes working closely with the Office of Research Affairs to ensure compliance with all institutional and sponsor guidelines

• Manage financial activities for PSCI as it relates to grants and endowment funds with Program Leaders
• Coordinate all PSCI project- and program‑related pilot funding financial operations to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements
• Process reimbursements and expenses through SAP Concur and SIMBA Non‑PO systems, ensuring accuracy, proper documentation, and timely payment, and provide additional financial processing support for PSCI as needed
• Serve as a liaison to central financial offices including research accounting, payroll, and department financial officers; prepare financial and statistical reports for Principal Investigators and divisional/departmental leadership
• Analyze financial data and recommend spending actions based on program needs and budget status

• Provide comprehensive administrative coordination to the Associate Director for Basic Research and Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Program Leader in support of their responsibilities within PSCI
• Manage the Associate Director’s calendar and schedule for PSCI related activities, ensuring efficient prioritization and alignment of commitments
• Assist with drafting, editing, preparing, and submitting PSCI related reports and documentation to ensure accuracy and timely completion of all deadlines
• Oversee and advise on research projects and investigative studies from initiation through completion, including data collection and management plans, technical approaches, budget management, and identification of funding opportunities
• Design project workflow processes and infrastructure, delegating, prioritizing, and reviewing research tasks to achieve project objectives and optimize outcomes

• Collaborate with team and leadership to build strategic partnerships among members, strengthen research…