Senior Research Operations Manager IVPRL, Department of Surgery

Senior Research Operations ManagerVirginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.The Injury and Violence Prevention Research Lab (IVPRL), led by Dr. Nicholas D. Thomson, is accepting applications for a Senior Research Operations Manager. The lab conducts multidisciplinary research to understand and prevent violence and externalizing disorders across the lifespan. This includes NIH- and CDC-funded research evaluating firearm violence prevention, youth and intimate partner violence, substance use, and experimental studies examining developmental psychopathology. The research portfolio integrates innovative technologies—including virtual reality (VR), psychophysiology, and biomarkers—to improve prevention and intervention strategies.This senior leadership position is focused on the strategic oversight of a growing clinical and experimental research portfolio. The Senior Research Operations Manager will supervise Clinical Research Coordinators, Lead Coordinators, and Managers and will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and fiscal accountability across all federally funded projects.

The role requires deep expertise in research operations, clinical coordination, and innovative data collection, with a focus on biopsychosocial risk and protective factors related to violence and externalizing behavior in youth and adults.Leadership & Personnel Supervision:Supervise and support Clinical Research Coordinators, Lead Coordinators, and ManagersOversee personnel onboarding, training, and professional developmentLead cross-functional team coordination and foster a collaborative lab cultureRegulatory Oversight:Manage all IRB submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and protocol adherencePrepare and submit annual reports (RPPR), closeout reports, and milestone updates for NIH and CDC grantsEnsure compliance with federal regulations and internal policies related to research conduct, ethics, and data protectionWork with industry on industry-sponsored researchGrant and Data Administration:Coordinate administrative tasks and timelines for new grant submissionsManage budgets, personnel allocations, and procurement for active projectsOversee and be responsible for data sharing plans and reporting to NIH, including NIMH Data Archive uploads and tracking project milestonesResearch Operations:Ensure successful implementation of clinical and experimental research protocolsProvide oversight for participant tracking, recruitment, retention strategies, and data collection processesTroubleshoot operational challenges and recommend improvements to increase efficiency and impactTechnical and Scientific Expertise:Conduct or supervise clinical interviews with high-risk youth and adultsOversee psychophysiological (PEP, RSA, HRV, HR, facial EMG) and biomarker (e.g., phlebotomy) data collectionEnsure fidelity and function of Biopac, Mindware, and related physiological systemsLead integration and troubleshooting of VR technology for intervention and assessmentConduct and supervise data cleaning, coding, and analysis using SPSS and RQualifications:Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.Master's degree in psychology, public health, neuroscience, or a related field (PhD preferred)Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research operations, including leadership on federally funded (NIH/CDC) projectsDemonstrated experience with IRB submissions, regulatory compliance, and federal grant reporting (RPPRs, milestone tracking, and closeout reports)Expertise in psychophysiological and biomarker research (Biopac and Mindware experience preferred)Experience with virtual reality research platforms, including setup, maintenance, and troubleshootingProficiency with SPSS and R for data management, cleaning, and reportingProven success in improving recruitment and retention rates in at-risk populationsDemonstrated leadership in supervising and training research staffStrong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skillsExperience managing multi-grant budgets and coordinating across multi-site projectsPreferred Qualifications:Prior experience leading training for community or external researchers in biopsychosocial risk factorsExperience managing federally funded projects with demonstrable experience in Data Archives or similar NIH repositoriesPrior publications in violence prevention, youth mental health, or developmental psychopathologyExperience in academic health settings or trauma centersFamiliarity with community-engaged research practicesExpertise in training on BioPac and MindwareDemonstrable experience using VR in researchSalary Range: $80,000 - 90,000Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt Hours per Week: 40Restricted Position: YesORP Eligible: NoFlexible Work Arrangement: Fully OnsiteUniversity Job Title: 32304N - Sr Lab Manager 1Contact Information: Contact Name: Janelle Fortes Contact Email: