Clinical Research Director Jobs in Madison, WI

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Job summary:

The University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics (DOP) is seeking a Research Program Associate Director to provide leadership and oversight for its extensive research operations. Since 2015, the DOP has ranked among the Top 20 pediatrics departments receiving NIH funding, according to Blue Ridge Institutes for Medical Research. In FY25, the department received nearly $42 million in research funding in FY25, ~$27 million of which was from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This position will work closely with the Associate Department Administrator - Academic Operations, Vice Chair(s) of Research, Clinical Research Director, and the Pre- and Post-Award Managers, to provide leadership and strategic planning for centralized research administration and support operations, with a particular focus on pre- and post-award service lines. The DOP considers research of one of the fundamental pillars of its academic mission and this position will provide critical leadership and advice to research faculty, staff, and trainees. The Research Program Associate Director will be involved in complex day-to-day research operations, requiring substantial independence, personal responsibility, strategic and creative thinking. A successful candidate will model and instill in others a high degree of professionalism, including demonstration of honesty, integrity, accountability, and a commitment to altruism in all work interactions and responsibilities.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Direct supervision of 2.0 FTE and indirect supervision of 7.0 FTE (based on current staffing);

• Provision of oversight, leadership and strategic planning for pre- and post-award research administrative support;

• Compile, analyze, and present data to DOP, SMPH, and UW Health leadership on proposal statistics, award information, trends, and national rankings;

• Use departmental data to strategize, refine, and implement policies and procedures to support the research and academic success of DOP faculty, researchers, staff, and trainees;

• With the DOP Post-Award Manager, ensure that timely and accurate financial reports are provided and discussed with principal investigators to ensure financial stability within the research group/lab and plan staffing levels;

• Lead and coordinate the DOP Research & Development grant proposals/awards and Capital Equipment allocations; prepare return on investment (ROI) analysis for DOP leadership;

• Maintain and develop research-related content for the DOP website and intranet, serving as a robust and up-to-date resource for faculty, staff and trainees;

• Develop/lead research administration education opportunities and trainings for faculty, staff, and trainees; and

• Lead research-related faculty onboarding efforts, including start-up funding requests, new faculty orientations, and regular faculty check-ins within the first 18 months of employment.

• This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Key job responsibilities:

• Manages large research projects for a center or program

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program

• Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan

• Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities

• Serves as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel

• Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, Administration – Research Administration

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is a vibrant academic department comprising more than 230 faculty members in 16 subspecialty divisions. The department promotes and enhances the health of children through outstanding clinical care, exemplary education of pediatric trainees, performance of cutting-edge research, and vigorous advocacy. Our faculty and research staff enjoy a robust infrastructure of services as well as the opportunity to contribute to our world-class research portfolio — since 2015 the department has ranked among the Top 20 pediatrics departments receiving NIH funding, according to Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. To provide remarkable health care for everyone in our community, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in all aspects of our work. To learn more about the department's work and accomplishments, please visit: https://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/.

Compensation:

The starting salary for the position is $120,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.

• SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required qualifications:

• At least five years of progressive responsibility in managing complex, multi-disciplinary research portfolios in an academic and/or health care setting

• Experience with pre- and post-award research administration oversight, proposal development, budget planning and preparation, and automated financial systems

• At least two years of supervisory experience

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with clinical trials and/or a large, complex medical center is strongly preferred

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

How to apply:

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Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. Failure to submit the required documents will result in no longer being considered for the position.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Resume

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.

Contact information:

Hope Jende, 608-262-0149, hope.jende@wisc.edu

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Institutional statement on diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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