Career Opportunities

Research specialist Kayne Mettert and Claire Allen, MPH, an implementation and evaluation associate in the Learning Health System Program.

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute hires talented professionals to join us in our mission to improve health and health care for all. Below are a select openings. For information on other career opportunities at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, check Kaiser Permanente Washington's job site.

Open positions

• Pre-Award Research Administrator II
• Project Manager I
• Project Manager II 
• Post Award Research Administrator II

---

Pre-Award Research Administrator II

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 867255 Date posted: 03/07/2020

Description:
1) STRICT ATTENTION TO DETAIL.  2) ABLE TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES.  3)  ABLE TO MULTI-TASK WITHOUT ERRORS.  4) FAMILIARITY WITH GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR NIH AND OTHER FUNDERS.  5) MUST WORK WELL WITH OTHERS UNDER TIGHT DEADLINES AND PRESSURE.

The Pre-Award Research Administrator II (RA-II) is a member of Financial Research Administration (FRA) who collaborates with and provides guidance to teams of scientific faculty and research operations staff in the submission of grant and contract proposals to government agencies and private organizations for the Washington region. The RAII interprets funder application procedures, requirements and regulations and advises research faculty and support staff on the implications to the application. Develops timelines for the application process. Develops budgets and budget justifications according to the funder requirements and institutional policies. Serves as subject matter expert to over 60 scientific faculty. Prepares Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR)s for funded projects. Prepares documents, including reports  of faculty Other Support for RPPRs and Just-In-Time requests. Prepares annual and final progress reports; continuation applications, prior approval and carryforward requests and other requests as needed. Provides analytical problem solving to resolve issues on newly funded and ongoing projects. Serves as an engaged member of Pre-Award and Financial Research Administration teams to promote continuous improvement of institutional procedures, policies and processes as well as personal development of other team members.

Essential Responsibilities:

Proposals and Pre-Award Management:

• Leads application/proposal preparation process and submission activities to ensure all deadlines, requirements and approvals are met.
• Counsels project scientific faculty and project teams on agency policies and regulatory issues.
• Develops and maintains accurate budget and budget justification documents that are in compliance with both funder and institutional polices, as well as any requirements by Prime applicants when we are a subawardee.
• Communicates requirements and deadlines to subawardee grant staff.
• Uses appropriate information and resources and solicits diverse input from others to make informed decisions.
• Tracks progress of subawardee budgets and documentation to ensure timely receipt of materials
• Identifies and resolves potential conflicts between funder and institutional policies and regulations.
• Provides Quality Assurance reviews of budget and justification documents for other team member's projects to ensure accuracy.
• Responds to Just-In-Time requests from funders with appropriate materials:
• Develops accurate Other Support information and collects human subjects training certification.  
• Facilitates response to funder's request for reductions to budgets or changes in scope of work prior to award.
• Reviews incoming Notices of Award for accuracy and special terms and conditions.
• Reviews incoming subaward agreements for accuracy and special terms and conditions.
• Provides leadership and mentorship to RA-I's.  
• Provide ongoing support, tracking and review of complex projects in collaboration with appropriate team members
• Project Continuation Activities:
• Prepare Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR)s for funded projects.
• Develop future year budgets in collaboration with the research team to address any budget modifications or reductions.
• Communicate with subawardees to coordinate and gather budgets, OS and other required documents.
• Track receipt of documents, check for accuracy and ensure timelines are met.
• Gather all required documentation and enter into eRA Commons.
• Prepare Final RPPRs for completed projects.   
• Respond to questions from faculty and project staff about deadlines, funder/sponsoring agency rules and regulations, allowable costs.

Communication and Leadership Activities:

• Train and mentor fellow research administrators and other research staff in grant and contract proposal and budget development.
• Provide leadership and communication with study personnel, post-award administration, finance and collaborating institutions, to proactively resolve issues or concerns during contracting, project start-up or once the project has become active.
• Actively monitor funders for new policies or procedures and advise study teams on changes or impacts to ongoing projects.
• Mentors RA-Is and newly hired RA-IIs on internal policies, procedures and processes.
• Participates in new hire candidate interviews and provide feedback to the team and team manager.
• Participate in Open Session interviews of senior leadership to ensure Pre-Award concerns are represented.
• Acts with integrity and consistently delivers as promised.
• Shares knowledge and feedback, contributing to the learning of others.
• Helps others to achieve shared objectives and works with others to provide the best of KP to customers and stakeholders.
• Consistently provides equitable, superior and culturally appropriate service to each other, the Institute and KP members and stakeholders.
• Serve as an active member of KPWHRI, FRA, and Grants and Contracts Administration (GCA) by participating in various workgroups and committees.
• Continuous Improvement Activities:
• Commits to and achieves sustained, effective change by seeking out diverse perspectives.
• Participate in team efforts on an ongoing basis to improve business processes using Kaiser Permanente's lean improvement methodology.
• Adhere to standard work practices and established norms.
• Continuously evaluate standard practices for process improvement/streamlining opportunities.
• Participate in Pre-Award, GCA and FRA continuous improvement meetings, activities and committees.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in pre-award and/or post-award grant/contract work in a research environment or related field with relevant experience.

Education

• Bachelor's degree OR a minimum four (4) years of directly related experience.
• High School Diploma OR General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to develop complex spreadsheets.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize data from various sources.
• Knowledge of federal and non-federal policy and regulatory issues related to grant/contract funded work.
• Ability to problem-solve; strong attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
• Must have excellent proofreading skills.
• Must have knowledge and skills in Microsoft Office - especially Excel, Word; and Adobe Acrobat.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a deadline-driven environment and developing project budgets.
• Experience working within a highly regulated industry.
• Experience managing multiple applications and/or proposals simultaneously.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures of research funding sources, especially National Institutes of Health; ability to provide trusted counsel to principal investigators and project teams on agency and regulatory issues.

Primary Location: Washington, Seattle, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon - Fri Working Hours Start: 7:00 AM Working Hours End: 5:00 PM Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Salaried, Non-Union, Exempt Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Category: Research and Development Department: KPWHRI Travel: No

Apply for Pre-Award Research Administrator II

---

Project Manager I

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 877305 Date posted: 03/27/2020

Description:
Under the direction of scientific leadership, oversees and implements research projects of low to medium complexity (or phases of more complex projects) in a variety of health-related areas. Leads the project team and oversees the daily operational activities of the project, including hiring and supervising study staff, and managing participant recruitment/enrollment and data collection. Ensures compliance with grant/contract and regulatory requirements. Participates in the development of study materials and Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications. Communicates with Principal Investigator (PI) regarding progress of research. Manages administrative resources by conducting long-range project planning and developing and managing project budgets. Meets quality standards and deliverable requirements during all phases of the research project life cycle from research application development to project closeout.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Project Planning, Implementation & Quality Assurance: Create and maintain timelines, ensuring adherence to milestones, prioritizing study tasks, and reviewing progress. Attend and/or facilitate meetings.  With appropriate guidance, develop study materials, recruitment procedures, data collection instruments and tracking systems. Oversee recruitment & data collection. Develop/implement data quality procedures.  Liaise across organizational departments to facilitate coordinated strategies to effectively implement research protocols. Create/maintain operational documentation. Continuously identify/implement process improvements to enhance team functioning. May champion key technical/operational needs to management.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage study budgets of low to medium complexity. Identify/forecast personnel and other resource requirements (including long-range forecasting across multiple budget years).  Coordinate and/or approve labor distribution for staff charging effort to project. Assure timely submission of budget related items for grant and contract applications. Approve and reconcile project-related budget expenditures. Forecast expenditures, monitor spending, and identify discrepancies using available financial tools.  Anticipate budget variances and, with guidance, implement corrective measures when indicated.
• Funding & Regulatory Compliance: Prepare IRB applications, modifications, and annual continuation reports. Ensure compliance with IRB and HIPAA regulations. Ensure adherence to federal or other agency requirements. Prepare and maintain Data Use Agreements and other data compliance documentation. May monitor subcontracts to ensure compliance, under direction of PI. Under direction of PI, prepare and submit sections of study progress reports as needed.
• Communication, Supervision & Leadership: Hire, train, and supervise project staff. Facilitate effective communication among study personnel, collaborators, and consultants. May serve as an active member of the unit and KPWHRI by participating in workgroups. Share best practices across the unit.
• Science & Analysis: Assist in development, preparation and timely submission of new research proposals.  Under direction of PI, assist with analyses, interpretation of data, and preparation of technical reports, manuscripts, posters, and/or presentations.  May interact with programmers on the development of plans for ongoing programming activities.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of direct or matrix supervisory experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience managing sponsored research projects or a commensurate combination of education and experience managing sponsored research projects.

Education

• Bachelor's degree.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and written skills, with ability to relate to diverse multidisciplinary teams of scientists, analysts, clinicians, and project staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong supervisory skills.
• Knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Working knowledge of federal reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with budget development and management.
• Able to read and interpret financial data.
• Relevant computer proficiency.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to implement research protocols.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) year direct supervisory experience.
• Three (3) years of experience managing sponsored research projects or a commensurate combination of education and experience managing sponsored research projects.
• Master's degree in health sciences or health-related discipline requiring a research-based thesis.
• Quantitative skills including familiarity with basic statistical methods.

Notes:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who has a experience managing and executing health services research projects. As a Research Project Manager, you will draw on creative, operational and problem-solving skills in order to facilitate and accelerate research at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. We study health and health care as it happens in everyday settings by everyday people, producing results that are built to work in the real world. We share our results in the public domain to benefit people everywhere.

Primary Location: Washington, Seattle, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon - Fri Working Hours Start: 8:00 AM Working Hours End: 5:00 PM Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Salaried, Non-Union, Exempt Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Category: Research and Development Department: KPWHRI Travel: Yes, 5% of the time

Apply for Project Manager I

---

Project Manager II

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 877308 Date posted: 03/27/2020

Description:
In collaboration with scientific leadership, oversees and implements research projects of medium to high complexity in a variety of health-related areas. Leads the project team and oversees the daily operational activities of the project, including hiring and supervising study staff, and managing participant recruitment/enrollment and data collection. Ensures compliance with grant/contract and regulatory requirements. Provides input on study design. Develops study materials and Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications. May participate in study analyses, quality assurance, and data interpretation. Communicates with Principal Investigator (PI) regarding progress of research. Manages administrative resources by conducting long-range project planning and developing and managing project budgets. Meets quality standards and deliverable requirements during all phases of the research project life cycle from research application development to project closeout.

Essential Responsibilities:

Project Planning, Implementation & Quality Assurance:

• Create and maintain timelines, ensuring adherence to milestones, prioritizing study tasks, and reviewing progress
• Plan/facilitate meetings (internally & multi-site) and develop content (agendas/minutes)
• Develop study materials, recruitment procedures, data collection instruments and tracking systems
• Oversee recruitment & data collection
• Develop/implement data quality procedures
• Liaise across organizational departments, facilitating coordinated strategies to effectively implement research protocols
• Create/maintain operational documentation
• Problem-solve on recruitment/retention, quality assurance, and resource allocation issues
• Continuously identify/implement process improvements to enhance team functioning
• Champion key technical/operational needs to management
• May develop/maintain virtual sites or collaboration tools for multi-site content and data sharing

Communication, Supervision & Leadership:

• Hire, train, and supervise project staff
• Mentor staff as appropriate
• Facilitate effective communication among study personnel, collaborators, and consultants
• Facilitate review and approval of contracts with outside vendors and independent contractors
• Develop and maintain project communication platforms such as newsletters or websites
• Serve as an active member of the unit and KPWHRI by participating in workgroups & improvement initiatives
• Share best practices across the unit

Budget Management:

• Develop and manage study budgets of medium complexity
• Identify/forecast personnel and other resource requirements (including long-range forecasting across multiple budget years)
• Participate in priority setting and resource allocation decisions, and take actions to meet resource needs
• Coordinate and/or approve labor distribution for staff charging effort to projects
• Assure timely submission of budget related items for grant and contract applications
• Approve and reconcile project-related budget expenditures
• Forecast expenditures, monitor spending, and identify discrepancies using available financial tools
• Anticipate budget variances and independently implement corrective measures when indicated

Funding & Regulatory Compliance:

• Prepare IRB applications, modifications, and annual continuation reports
• Ensure compliance with IRB and HIPAA regulations
• Ensure adherence to federal or other agency requirements
• Prepare and maintain Data Use Agreements and other data compliance documentation
• May monitor subcontracts to ensure compliance, under direction of PI
• May manage multi-site IRB approval where KPWHRI is the IRB of record for multiple sites
• In collaboration with PI, prepare and submit study progress reports as needed

Science & Analysis/Research Collaboration:

• Assist in development, preparation and timely submission of new research proposals
• Independently prepare sections of new research proposals as appropriate
• As project needs dictate, conduct analysis and interpretation of data
• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through collaboration on papers and presentations
• Interact with programmers and collaborate on the development of plans for analysis and ongoing programming activities

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of direct or matrix supervisory experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience managing sponsored research projects, including multi-site or complex studies with progressively increasing level of responsibility, or a commensurate combination of education and experience managing sponsored research projects.

Education

• Bachelor's degree.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and written skills with ability to relate to diverse multidisciplinary teams of scientists, analysts, clinicians and project staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong supervisory skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of research design and methodology.
• Specific knowledge of federal reporting requirements.
• Strong grounding in budget development and management.
• Relevant computer proficiency.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to implement research protocols.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience.
• Six (6) years of experience managing sponsored research projects, including multi-site or complex studies with progressively increasing level of responsibility, or a commensurate combination of education and experience managing sponsored research projects.
• Familiarity with basic statistical methods.
• Thorough knowledge of health care or biomedical research design and methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex research studies.
• Expertise in relevant area of specialization (e.g. survey methodology, clinical trials, etc.) 
• Master's degree in Health Sciences or health-related discipline requiring a research-based thesis.

Notes:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who has a experience managing and executing health services research projects. As a Research Project Manager, you will draw on creative, operational and problem-solving skills in order to facilitate and accelerate research at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. We study health and health care as it happens in everyday settings by everyday people, producing results that are built to work in the real world. We share our results in the public domain to benefit people everywhere.

Primary Location: Washington, Seattle, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon - Fri Working Hours Start: 8:00 AM Working Hours End: 5:00 PM Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Salaried, Non-Union, Exempt Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Category: Research and Development Department: KPWHRI Travel: Yes, 5% of the time

Apply for Project Manager II

---

Post Award Research Administrator II

Location: Seattle, WA Job Number: 865163 Date posted: 03/25/2020

Description:
As a member of Finance Research Administration (FRA), this positionleads project teams through complex budgetary issues and provides sound financial and compliance guidance. Instructs and informs project teams on agency policies and regulatory issues and ensures compliance with applicable grant/contract and regulatory requirements from various entities. Identifies and resolves grant administration issues based on knowledge of laws, regulations, agency & institutional policies, and other requirements. Manages a portfolio of projects from various funders for multiple principle investigators and provides sound and consistent stewardship of funds. Reviews and provides comments on incoming agreements prior to contract team review. Facilitates the creation of subrecipient contracts with project and contract teams. Coordinates, as needed, with external partners on compliance issues. Works closely with the Post Award Research Administrator I on financial system setup and maintenance of portfolio projects. Reviews and approves incoming subrecipient invoices, internal travel and expense reports, and outgoing invoices to funding agencies. Coordinates and prepares documentation for audit requests. Maintains a working knowledge of federal regulatory standards and has the ability to reconcile internal policies with funder policies to determine allowability, allocability, applicability, and reasonableness. Develops and implements financial and compliance strategies to improve project operations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Responsibilities:

Fiscal:

• Acts as the point of contact for all financial matters for internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitors and approves internal and external expenditures to ensure timely, appropriate spending.
• Coordinates with project team, billing, and grant staff to ensure grantor invoice and close-out requirements are upheld.
• Evaluates budgets for correct calculations in collaboration with project managers.
• Produces reports to manage accounts, forecasting, compliance, and for internal/external audits.
• Facilitates ongoing meetings with each PI in the individual's portfolio to keep project teams apprised of changes in award subcontract and invoicing statuses, as well as helping project teams with resolutions to various compliance issues on project matters.
• Gathers documentation necessary for the setup of projects so the Post Award Research Administrator I can enter them into the financial system.
• Prepares, requests, reviews, and approves materials for contracts with external parties.
• Reviews subrecipient expenditure and encumbrance reports to ensure billing occurs in a timely manner and unused funds are released from restriction.
• Monitors a monthly milestone billing report and works with billing specialists to execute billing or with a Post Award Research Administrator I to provide updates to milestones.
• Participates in department meetings on cost allocation and compliance issues.

Compliance:

• Ensures adherence to internal, federal, or agency requirements and provides appropriate guidance to the project team.
• Creates and maintains appropriate documentation, including audit materials.
• Identifies budget variances and independently implements corrective measures when necessary.
• Monitors and oversees compliance with prior approval requirements and standard expense approval.
• Ensures the flow-down of award regulations to subawardees and ensures their compliance.
• Problem-solves expense allocation issues and advises project teams on allowability of expenditures.
• Researches complex issues and documents resolutions.

Communication and Leadership:

• Trains and mentors project teams in grant and contract administration, cost allocation, and compliance issues.
• Effectively communicates with study personnel, collaborating institutions, and other stakeholders, to proactively problem solve and strategize compliance concerns.
• Continuously identifies and implements process improvements and best practices, and then shares them with KPWHRI staff and leaders.
• Develops and maintains collaboration tools for internal and cross-departmental content and data sharing.
• Plans and facilitates meetings and develops appropriate content for them.
• Mentors other Research Administrators.
• Participates in hiring interviews and provides feedback to the department manager on candidates' skill level.
• Collaborates with Post Award Research Administrators on financial system project creation and maintenance.
• Serves as an active member of KPWHRI and FRA by participating in various workgroups and committees.

Process Improvement and Strategic Business Initiatives:

• Participates in team efforts on an ongoing basis to improve business processes using Kaiser Permanente's lean improvement methodology.
• Adheres to standard work and manages a portfolio using established best practices.
• Actively participates in Post-Award monthly management systems and dashboard data preparation and leads or assists other staff with making corrections or devising improvements.

Basic Qualifications:
Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of related experience in a research environment.

Education

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in accounting, finance, or business) OR a minimum of four (4) years of directly related experience.
• High School Diploma OR General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and written skills with the ability to relate to diverse multidisciplinary teams and be to put complex financial and compliance issues into plain language.
• Demonstrates customer-focused service skills.
• Specific knowledge of federal and non-federal grant reporting requirements.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to interpret competing and ever-changing regulatory standards.
• Quick learner with ability to pick up on skills and adapt to new processes and translate them into real-world situations.
• Skilled in the use of PC, including Word, Excel
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
• Ability to problem-solve.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in regulatory-heavy environments and experience managing financial aspects of multiple projects simultaneously under strict and fast-moving deadlines.
• Knowledge of NIH guidelines and regulations.
• Fluent level of expertise in Excel, PeopleSoft, and reading Crystal Reports.
• Candidates will have excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to relate to diverse multidisciplinary teams and be able to put complex financial and compliance issues into plain language. 
• Preferred that candidates have knowledge of federal and non-federal grant reporting requirements, be a quick learner, and demonstrate customer-focused service skills. 
• Preferred research grant management experience.

Primary Location: Washington, Seattle, Met Park East 1730 Minor Ave. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Shift: Day Workdays: Mon - Fri Working Hours Start: 8:00 AM Working Hours End: 5:00 PM Job Schedule: Full-time Job Type: Standard Employee Status: Regular Employee Group/Union Affiliation: Salaried, Non-Union, Exempt Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Category: Research and Development Department: KPWHRI Travel: No

Apply for Post Award Research Administrator II