Nurse Researcher

Nurse Researcher

This position typically reports to a physician faculty member that serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the research project or on rare occasions to an appropriate program administrator within the department. As the Study Coordinator for a research project, the Nurse Researcher oversees patient-related study activities, research regulatory compliance, data gathering and management according to Federal requirements, and ensures safe collection and preparation of blood and body fluids, including transportation of same.

Most studies are grant funded, although a few are state, local and privately funded. Others are funded by pharmaceutical companies, including cancer-focused clinical trials and oncology-related research studies.

Grant-funded projects involving human subjects require compliance with numerous stringent Federal, State, university, and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations, for which this position must know, interpret, comply, and prepare reports. Work at this level meets the FLSA criteria for a professional exemption since the primary duties require advanced knowledge which is predominantly intellectual in character and require the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment.

Nurse Researchers differ from non-exempt nursing or research support staff in that the incumbents in these positions develop techniques and oversee clinical data gathering, establish quality control standards, develop educational materials, and serve as liaisons with regulatory agencies. The Principal Investigator sets the overall project direction and has responsibility for final interpretation of project results, but this position serves as a right-hand to the PI and provides input into the process.

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation.

U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future.

The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more .edu.

• Evaluates potential research participants with Principal Investigator; schedules screening evaluations; explains consent process; performs required screening evaluations; randomizes participants into appropriate research study, including cancer care and oncology research protocols.

• Coordinates and schedules study visits and follow-ups. Oversees or performs required procedures for each visit.

• Records data on each study participant for each visit according to research protocol, maintaining complete study progress notes and case report form for each visit.

• Reports any Adverse Events according to protocol. Communicates questions, problems, changes to the Principal Investigator, including adverse events related to cancer treatments or investigational therapies.

• Prepares and submits protocol applications, amendments, annual…