Research Associate (Berg Lab)

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

1d

About The Position

The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) is an NIH -funded consortium dedicated to building an authoritative central resource that defines the clinical relevance of genes and variants for use in precision medicine. ClinGen is an international resource that has over 2100 members participating from over 60 countries around the world. The Research Associate/ Senior Coordinator position will support the ongoing efforts of the UNC specific objectives for ClinGen directed by Dr. Jonathan Berg. This position will provide project management and leadership to working groups composed of global experts in research and health care to drive the mission of ClinGen. The Sr. Coordinator will collaborate with international experts to facilitate the work of several ClinGen Clinical Domain Working Groups (CDWGs) in different stages of launching, scaling, and sustaining their work. The Sr. Coordinator will liaise with expert leadership from international institutions to support the development of CDWGs, including formulating and following research processes, preparing necessary paperwork, onboarding and mentoring new participants, scheduling and leading meetings, composing grant reports and other activities as new duties emerge. The position will be part of the CDWG Leadership team and will regularly present working group updates, author reports and papers, and represent UNC and ClinGen at professional conferences and meetings. The successful candidate will train and supervise junior members of the team. The Sr. Coordinator operates at a high level alongside international experts and plays critical role in the success of the UNC CDWGs as a scientist and as an administrator. As such, the Sr. Coordinator is integral to developing and implementing solutions for workflow and interpersonal challenges. Additionally, the Sr. coordinator will also oversee training and supervision of Asst. Coordinators, learn and implement numerous curation frameworks and protocols, monitor working group progress, provide feedback and updates and represent the working group and UNC to NIH leadership, including Project starter who is capable of independently and creatively identifying and resolving issues and exploring new ideas to enhance progress while maintaining strong communication with the UNC Biocuration and Coordination Core members as well as external collaborators. A strong work ethic and sense of purpose are necessary. Also, the selected candidate must have knowledge of the scientific principles of biology, specifically the central dogma of genetics and a basic understanding of physiology and disease. Major responsibilities of this position include coordination and training of expert panel members on biocuration and mandated processes as set by ClinGen. Minimal travel is required to attend professional conferences and ClinGen Steering Committee meetings. The selected candidate should possess a strong work ethic and sense of purpose. Also, they should have knowledge of the scientific principles of biology, specifically the central dogma of genetics and a basic understanding of physiology and disease.

Requirements

• 3 or more years of relevant experience in coordinating expert panels and/or groups is required.
• Knowledge of the scientific principles of biology, specifically the central dogma of genetics and a basic understanding of physiology and disease.
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Hold high professional standards for their own work and that of others.

Nice To Haves

• A Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, molecular biology.
• 5 or more years of relevant experience in coordinating expert panels and/or groups or a Master’s degree in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field and at least 2 years of post-degree experience; or a PhD in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field with 1 year of post-degree experience.
• Well-versed in genetics and genomic medicine.
• Previous experience in management of small development groups or possess the interpersonal skills to supervise other junior members of the team.
• Ability to comprehend and instruct others on the application of complex curation processes to various projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and should enjoy leading, coordinating, organizing, and interacting with diverse groups of people.
• A self-starter who is capable of independently and creatively identifying and resolving issues and exploring new ideas to enhance progress while maintaining strong communication with the UNC Biocuration and Coordination Core members as well as external collaborators.
• A strong work ethic and sense of purpose are desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management and leadership to working groups composed of global experts in research and health care to drive the mission of ClinGen.
• Collaborate with international experts to facilitate the work of several ClinGen Clinical Domain Working Groups (CDWGs) in different stages of launching, scaling, and sustaining their work.
• Liaise with expert leadership from international institutions to support the development of CDWGs, including formulating and following research processes, preparing necessary paperwork, onboarding and mentoring new participants, scheduling and leading meetings, composing grant reports and other activities as new duties emerge.
• Regularly present working group updates, author reports and papers, and represent UNC and ClinGen at professional conferences and meetings.
• Train and supervise junior members of the team.
• Oversee training and supervision of Asst. Coordinators, learn and implement numerous curation frameworks and protocols, monitor working group progress, provide feedback and updates and represent the working group and UNC to NIH leadership
• Coordination and training of expert panel members on biocuration and mandated processes as set by ClinGen.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level