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Manager, Technical Writing & Publications - C enter for Goal Concordant Care Research

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

Summary

The primary purpose of the Manager: Technical Writing & Publications is to assist in submission of grant applications, crafting of clinical protocols, and drafting of scientific manuscripts and other Center for Goal Concordant Care Research-related publications. Applies scientific/medical expertise to proposal writing in conjunction with the center director and primary investigator. Serves as a liaison between the clinical research study investigators and regulatory staff. Ensures the quality of resulting documents and timeliness of submission. Will compose progress reports, multidisciplinary and multi-collaborator grant and contract proposals to a wide range of funding agencies, organizations, industries and foundations. Will also build and supervise a team of technical writers over time.

About the Center for Goal Concordant Care Research

Individuals living with advanced cancer often have to confront complex decisions regarding their treatments, preferred care settings, and care philosophy. Unfortunately, many do not fully grasp the gravity of their illness, leading to treatments that are misaligned with their goals. This often results in frequent emergency room visits, avoidable hospitalizations, and aggressive end-of-life measures.

Goal concordant care, an institutional priority at MD Anderson, aims at improving communication among patients, caregivers and clinicians, enhancing the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer and their families, and delivering high quality end-of-life care. To address these challenges, MD Anderson has established the Center for Goal Concordant Care Research. The Center aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps by leveraging cutting-edge scientific advancements to tailor appropriate care interventions for the right patient at the right time.

The overarching vision is to establish Center for Goal Concordant Care Research as the preeminent international research center revolutionizing the science of person-centered, goal-concordant, and value-based care. Achieving this vision necessitates collaboration with global experts and an unwavering commitment to enhancing the clinical practices of oncology professionals through research and education.

The Center for Goal Concordant Care Research seamlessly aligns with MD Anderson's strategic priorities of expanding its Reach, pursuing Breakthroughs, and delivering Value. Initially, the Center will focus on talent acquisition, expert engagement, and the establishment of operational policies and guidelines. The Center for Goal Concordant Care Research is expected to accelerate research in patient-clinician communication and supportive/palliative care, ultimately enhancing care for patients with advanced cancer worldwide. This will benefit not only patients but also caregivers, healthcare professionals, and healthcare systems.

Key Functions

Grant Proposal Writing:

• Identify and apply for federal and private foundation funding opportunities.

• Prepare multidisciplinary and multi-collaborator grant and contract proposals for submission to a wide range of funding agencies, organizations, industries and foundations.

• Liaise with Philanthropy Office to explore funding opportunities and prepare proposals.

• Conceptualize, write, organize, and submit research grant applications and related progress reports.

• Analyze and interpret scientific data and information as related to proposals and grants.

• Submit well researched and well written proposals within tight time constraints.

• Draft progress reports.

• Maintain copies of grants and contract proposals, reporting compliance of grant deliverables and deadlines.

• Work with support teams (including biostatisticians, OSP, ORA, CRF, regulatory/compliance) as needed to meet MDACC and federal standards.

• Work with program leaders, research investigators, scientific project director, and team members to develop budgets for grant applications, including creating initial scientific budget and ensuring alignment with planned experiments and analyses.

Scientific Protocol Development:

• Provide day-to-day assistance and support to the study investigators in protocol development, writing, and editing.

• Oversee scientific protocol from conception to activation under the supervision of study investigators - including strategic planning and prioritization of protocol ideas, whiteboard ideas with study investigators, draft ideas into written documents, multiple iterations of revisions to finalize the document, then submit to the various review boards/committees. Ensure proper follow up via standing meetings or email tracking as needed to ensure momentum of the process.

• Assist study investigators in determining the specific goals or objectives to be attained.

• Assist study investigators in the development of clinical trials by merging required language from external sponsors/supporters, with the sponsor investigator concept in the format of the institutional protocol template.

• Assist study investigators in finalizing the informed consent documents provided to patients enrolling in clinical trials in the institutional format, coordinating efforts between the industry sponsor, study investigators, and central institutional consent editing team.

• Utilize highly technical writing ability to compose and abstract medical and scientific information for preparation of written correspondence, reports, protocols and lay language versions.

• Provide review and proofreading support for internal and external documents to ensure consistency and accuracy.

• Prepare documents by reviewing analyses and interpretations of data to ensure accuracy and alignment with research data. Ensure clarity of expression.

• Track ongoing projects and assist study investigators in completing tasks requiring their attention as needed.

• Review the work completed for accuracy and provide feedback as needed.

• Provide support to the regulatory team and ensure timely submission of scientific-related information.

• Conduct comprehensive literature review on selected topics and provide synopsis in a written format.

• Provide reports to Research Center leadership regarding project status as needed.

Manuscript Preparation and Submission:

• Conduct literature searches efficiently, prepare a synopsis and organize a library.

• Assist study investigators to write and edit scientific manuscripts for publication.

• Utilize strong research and writing skills to express ideas succinctly with logic, creativity and persuasiveness.

• Retrieves data from databases and other internal and external data and information sources for use in reports, tables and figures.

• Independently research and analyze highly technical subject matter, and organize information by interfacing with cross-functional team members.

• Contact journal editors to clarify manuscript standards as needed prior to submission; analyze and draft responses to reviewer critiques received on grant proposals and manuscripts.

Supporting Research Center Related Initiatives:

• Independently draft, format, and proof-read internal and external documents.

• Prepare presentation materials such as pamphlets, PowerPoint presentations, manuals, websites and other documents related to the administrative and/or academic activities of the Research Center.

• Work with Research Center leadership to develop draft work plans, timelines, and budgets for internal and external collaborations.

• Partner with scientific teams to build collaboration and identify opportunities leading to scientific discovery related to goal concordant care.

• Attend seminars, meetings, and training to develop and advance scientific knowledge as relevant to job duties.

Supervision, Training and Quality Assurance:

• Assist with screening, interviewing, and advising on potential technical writers or related positions for hire.

• Supervise technical writers and research staff and provide proper research training.

• Ensure high quality work is done by research team under his/her supervision. Provide periodic audits and staff evaluations.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Required: Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in a related field.

EXPERIENCE:

Required: Six years experience in communications, writing and editing technical/scientific material in a medical, academic or research setting to include three years of supervisory/ managerial experience. With preferred degree, two years of required experience and three years of supervisory/managerial experience. Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate program may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience.

OTHER:

Required: Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 163352

• Employment Status: Full-Time

• Employee Status: Regular

• Work Week: Days

• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 103,000

• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 129,000

• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 155,000

• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay

• Fund Type: Soft

• Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote

• Pivotal Position: Yes

• Referral Bonus Available?: No

• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

• Science Jobs: Yes

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