Social Science Research Program Manager

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) has a simple mission: Care. No Matter What. PPLM has been a leader in promoting sexual health for more than 90 years and we strongly believe that all people deserve care no matter who they are, where they live, or who they love. As the state’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services, we educate families and empower youth to make responsible choices. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The purpose of this position is to coordinate and implement research studies and to support the Research Department at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM). A growing number of research projects focused on abortion, contraception, and sexual and reproductive health and rights are conducted at PPLM. The Social Science Research Project Manager will work directly with the principal investigators (PI) conducting research at PPLM under the guidance of the Director of Research Operations and the Director of Social Science Research. The Social Science Research Project Manager will also work closely with external research collaborators and will train and supervise research assistants (RA) and interns working on research studies. This position requires the ability to work independently, be self-directed, and to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders.

This position will be primarily based in the Boston health center, with up to 20% remote work and up to 20% time in the Worcester health center. 

• Research Project Management
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures, source documents, and plans for integration and implementation of social science research projects into the health center.
• Develop detailed data manuals for retrospective studies.
• Work closely with health center staff to ensure open communication about study planning and implementation, particular successes and challenges of research projects, and troubleshooting as needed with assistance of study team.
• Assist PI with development of research materials, including instruments (questionnaires, interview manuals, and other data collection documents), documentation of data management processes, and recruitment materials as needed.
• Assist with compilation and reporting of information for Institutional Review Boards, study sponsors, and contract research organizations, as needed.
• Provide training and daily supervision, troubleshooting, and workflow support for social science research assistants and interns.
• Complete purchasing and reimbursement for the Director of Social Science Research and for all social science studies.
• Proactively track and report study expenditures to the PI and the Director of Research Operations
• Assist with recruitment and convening of relevant advisory committees.
• Other administrative tasks and responsibilities as needed to support PIs and Department.

• Participate in and supervise RAs, recruitment of study participants according to recruitment procedures outlined in study protocols, and regularly report recruitment, enrollment, and attrition status to the research team.
• Obtain informed consent and collect qualitative and quantitative data from participants for research studies as outlined in study protocol.
• Maintain filing and administrative systems to ensure subject confidentiality, compliance with institutional research guidelines, and quality assurance of data.
• Perform medical chart reviews to abstract data when needed, and supervise RAs, interns, and trainees in this process, as per study protocol.
• Create and maintain study databases and ensure data entry is current. Train and supervise RAs in assisting with this task.
• Maintain and supervise correspondence with patients in studies as dictated in protocol and act as a liaison between investigator and study subject.
• Ensure that subjects and advisory committee participants receive reimbursement as outlined in protocols and maintain log of payments dispensed.

• Export and clean quantitative data, basic analyses as skills permit (t-tests, comparisons of proportions, univariate regression).
• Support grant writing including identifying opportunities, background research, writing, and editing.
• Participate in qualitative data coding as skills permit.
• Coordinate data sharing with collaborators.
• Participate in manuscript writing and editing, with co-authorship.

• BA/BS Required, master’s degree in a relevant field (public health, statistics, sociology, etc.) preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of research experience + bachelors OR 2 years research experience + masters
• Demonstrated commitment to reproductive health, rights, and justice, and to anti-racist and inclusive research practices
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong quantitative skills as needed for administrative tasks (budget management, etc.)
• Ability and desire to work independently with minimal to moderate supervision
• Facility with Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel required
• Facility with scientific software such as R, Stata, SAS, Atlas, Dedoose, Nvivo preferred
• Experience programming databases in Qualtrics or REDCap preferred
• Experience working with human subjects preferred
• Experience managing direct reports preferred

What We Offer

·   Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

·   Generous paid time off including vacation time, provisions for extended sick time and 11 paid holidays

·   403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% company match

·   Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability Insurance

·   Employee Assistance Program

·   Flexible Spending Account for medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses

·   Paid Parental Leave

·   Employee Discounts 

Roles that are denoted as Hybrid require 1 day per week in the office unless the role is denoted as onsite, which requires working onsite full time or 5 days per week.

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.