Job Information
BYU Research Project Manager (TEMPORARY) in PROVO, Utah
Research Project Manager (TEMPORARY)
The Project Manager will oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of a multidisciplinary human subjects research study investigating dietary sulfur (sulfites and sulfates) sensitivity. This role is responsible for managing IRB compliance, participant recruitment and scheduling, biospecimen collection logistics (blood, urine, and related samples), and coordination of laboratory analyses including gene expression, metabolomics, and analytical chemistry workflows (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS). The Project Manager will serve as the central point of communication among clinical staff, laboratory personnel, and investigators, ensuring protocol adherence, data integrity, and timely completion of study milestones. Strong organizational skills, experience with human subjects research, and the ability to manage complex, cross-functional workflows are essential.
What you'll do in this position:
A Project Manager in this study would be responsible for making (or guiding) several critical operational and scientific-support decisions that directly impact study quality, compliance, and timelines. Key decisions include:
Protocol adherence vs. feasibility adjustments --- deciding when minor deviations (e.g., timing of biospecimen collection, missed dietary restriction windows) are acceptable versus when a participant must repeat or be removed from a study arm.
Dose escalation and safety thresholds --- working with clinical oversight to determine whether participants can safely proceed to higher sulfite/sulfate exposure levels based on observed symptoms or biomarkers.
Resource allocation and prioritization --- balancing lab capacity (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS, PCR platforms) with sample throughput, deciding which analyses are prioritized if bottlenecks arise.
Data quality control thresholds --- determining when data (e.g., gene expression outliers, metabolomics variability, sample degradation) are acceptable, require re-analysis, or should be excluded.
Vendor and supply decisions --- selecting and managing suppliers for reagents, sulfite dosing materials, and collection kits, especially if substitutions are needed due to availability or stability concerns.
What qualifies you for this role:
Required
A firm commitment to the mission of BYU.
Bachelor's degree in a life science discipline
Minimum of one year of research experience, preferably in a laboratory or human subjects research setting
Preferred
Strong understanding of basic laboratory techniques (e.g., pipetting, sample handling, aseptic technique) and familiarity with analytical platforms (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS, PCR)
Experience with human subjects research practices, including confidentiality, informed consent, and protocol adherence
Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple participants, timelines, and workflows simultaneously
Proficiency in data management and analysis, including use of Excel and/or statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS, or similar)
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and reproducibility
Effective written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with research staff, participants, and investigators
Application Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026
Required Documentation:
Resume
Cover Letter
What we offer in return:
This position comes with fantastic benefits, including:
Employee assistance program, available to the employee and all members of their household
Access to the library
Free on-campus parking
Free UTA pass
Discounts at the BYU Store and for many events at BYU
Pay Grade: 46
Typical Starting Pay: $16.50 to $21.25 an hour