JIRB Coordinator

Job description / Role

This position provides high level administrative and specialist support to the Joint Institutional Review Board (JIRB), coordinating all areas of oversight provided by the office. The JIRB is a recent initiative between HMC and WCMC-Q to provide a unified ethical review of human subjects research conducted by either institution. The JIRB coordinator is broadly responsible for advising stakeholders and customers regarding services, often serving as the first point of contact for faculty, students and staff for compliance requirements for human subjects research conducted by and between HMC and WCMC-Q.

Project Reviews.
- Conducts initial administrative reviews of applications and forms submitted to the JIRB, assessing completeness, identifying and resolving problems and making preliminary recommendations to managers and directors in the compliance offices for both institutions for successful provision of research compliance & oversight.
- Responsible for interactions with the compliance/integrity office staff at both HMC and WCMC-Q and other potential stakeholders, to ensure that proposals contain necessary protections for human subjects research or other ethical and regulatory considerations for the compliant conduct of research prior to submission to ethical oversight committees (JIRB) or other regulatory/collaborative bodies (SCH, QNRF).
- Routes properly completed ethical review applications and forms for further reviews by the appropriate individuals or committees, tracks status and query resolution of such reviews, and final determinations. Prepares and Communicates JIRB decisions to institutions.

Training.
- Works with the junior level research integrity staff of the JIRB and member institutions to strengthen operational performance and integrates collaborations with other departments for efficiency of compliance activities. Answers basic queries about research integrity. Assists in delivering formal training and presentations as appropriate and directed by the JIRB Manager.

Software and Systems.
- Works with the institutions member on the IRB sections of the research administration software system, including managing user profiles, access, running regular reports and troubleshooting. Provides training on requisite software systems and databases to research/research compliance staff as required for use and adherence to compliance activities including supporting end users.

Communications and Reporting
- Maintains current JIRB members files, including training records and appointment letters, monitor member travel and other schedule constraints that will affect JIRB and member institution reviews.
- Prepares materials for JIRB reviews and meetings to ensure that all relevant documents are provided to the members and that applications are ready for IRB review. Develop meeting agendas. Attend JIRB meetings to verify presence of a quorum and take meeting minutes.
- Serves as initial point of contact for internal or external questions and complaints related to JIRB responsibilities, working with a variety of external stakeholders, such as HMC, QU, PHS, Sidra and QF-HSSE. Collects information and refers issues to appropriate individuals, both internal and external to the institution.
- Maintains renewal system for IRB approved protocols and ensures having continuing review on timely manner. Closes out applications & prepares final reports for closure.
- Compiles all documentations pertaining to each application and prepares finalized application for filing.
- Creates spreadsheets, and utilizes other software components as needed to provide snapshots of the status of research activities to the JIRB manager. Compiles data from various sources needed for reports to internal and external stakeholders.
- Develops under the direction of the JIRB Manager the content and maintains the JIRB website.
- Performs other job-related duties as required.

Requirements

- A Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years working in a professional office environment are required. An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be acceptable.
- Experience with academic research or research compliance is required. Experience with basic medical and/or scientific terminology is required.
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in English are required. Proficiency in both English and Arabic is strongly preferred.
- Previously exhibited capacity to support the needs and requirements of standard operating procedures or policies for research, research compliance or other related discipline (i.e. laboratory, clinical, scientific).
- Ability to grow and adapt within a rapidly changing environment. Position may not be as original described as the department grows and needs change. Successful candidate must be able to adapt with the department according to the needs of the department.
- Willingness to extend or vary working hours to meet the demands of deadlines.
- Excellent organizational skills, with ability to modify priorities or multi-task while maintaining attention to detail, are required.
- Proven customer service skills are required, including previously demonstrated ability to deal with difficult or high pressured situations.
- Demonstrated discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information is required.
- Experience with online databases and Microsoft Office is required.
- Willingness to advance professional capacity by pursing professional qualifications, certifications or educational development.

About the Company

Founded in 1898 and affiliated with what is now New York - Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) since 1927, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) is one of the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the U.S. It is committed to excellence in research, teaching and patient care, and the advancement of the art and science of medicine.

In addition to the degree in medicine, Weill Cornell offers PhD programs in biomedical research and education at the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences; a joint MD-MBA program with Cornell's Johnson School of Management; and a joint MD-PhD program with Rockefeller University and Sloan-Kettering Institute.