The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Division of Preventive Medicine is seeking a new Principal Investigator/Director of the Coordinating Center (CC) for the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. In addition to directing the CARDIA CC, the individual in this role will have an exciting opportunity to grow the infrastructure and portfolio to support other CC applications and activities within the Division. This position requires expert knowledge and experience with CC activities and multi-site data management. A track record with federal funding (NIH, CDC, PCORI, etc.) and other foundational funding sources is highly desirable.

The CARDIA study examines the development and determinants of clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease and their risk factors. It began in 1985-6 with a cohort of 5115 Black and White men and women aged 18-30 years recruited across four field centers: Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; and Oakland, CA. Participants have completed follow-up examinations during Years 2, 5, 7, 10,15, 20, 25, 30, and 35, along with the anticipated Y40 Exam scheduled to begin in 2026. The CARDIA CC has received provisional funding for the next 10 years – through 2033. In addition to the CARDIA core study, the CC currently supports 43 ancillary studies, adding considerable value to the study. CARDIA has been extremely productive over its existence, producing more than 1,100 published manuscripts and 1,400 scientific presentations.

UAB serves as the CC for CARDIA, which is housed within the Division of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Medicine. The CC comprises a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 20 individuals that supports the collection of study data, provides oversight of all study activities, and facilitates dissemination of findings through reports, analyses, scientific presentations, and publications. In general, the CC supports the field centers in continuing cohort follow-up and data collection on clinical events. In addition, the CC supports the field centers in the conduct of periodic clinical examinations of CARDIA participants as platforms for ancillary study examination components. CC staff have expertise in study management, quality control, data management, biostatistics, endpoints ascertainment, data sharing, and budgets/finances.

The Division of Preventive Medicine is a research-oriented division within the UAB Department of Medicine. It contributes to medicine and the health of the public through research and dissemination of knowledge, leading to improved health outcomes. The development and training of new investigators is central to its mission. The overall structure of the Division includes its faculty, which are organized into four sections – Cardiovascular Disease; Diabetes and Obesity; Cancer Prevention and Control; and Addiction, Pain, Vulnerable Populations. We also have four crosscutting themes: Health Disparities and Health Equity, Community-Based/Behavioral, Biostatistics Methodologies, and Dissemination and Implementation Science. In addition to these faculty groups, there is a Research Clinic; a Weight and Wellness Research Unit; an IT team; and an Administrative Group that includes the Personnel Office, Business Office, and administrative support personnel. Current projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Veteran's Administration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), among others. The division currently has 69 active awards for a total funding annual budget of $19.8M.

The CARDIA CC Principal Investigator/Director will possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, outstanding attention to detail, and an ability to delegate yet maintain overall control. A commitment to research and academic missions is crucial, as well as a genuine appreciation for consultation and collaboration.

· Lead a multi-disciplinary CC team of approximately 20 investigators and staff

· Ensure that all contract deliverables are completed according to established timelines

· Ensure open communication among all CARDIA field centers, subcontractors, NHLBI Project Office, and Observational Study Monitoring Board

· Facilitate and coordinate the development and periodic updating of study/ancillary study policies, protocols, and manuals of operation for all study components

· Oversee and manage the CC budget for the contract, including establishing and managing several required subcontracts

· Oversee the collection of endpoints data and supporting materials

· Monitor quality control for the entire study, including data quality and protocol adherence

· Oversee training and certification of data collection personnel study wide

· Maintain an electronic data collection system to be used at the field centers for both the core exam and ancillary studies for real time data transfer to the CC

· Ensure data sharing consistent with NIH policy

· Ensure the deposition of CARDIA data in established data repositories, including database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) and BioData Catalyst

· Oversee the maintenance and expansion of various electronic databases required for CARDIA – both current as well as legacy datasets

· Ensure the availability of statistical support for both quality control purposes and to support scientific publications and presentations study wide

· Maintain and periodically update databases of CARDIA publications and manuscript proposals

· Ensure that all required reports are submitted in a timely manner

· A record of outstanding personal academic accomplishments and credentials within the space of coordinating centers and data management.

· Experience in leading research studies, oversight of personnel, protocol implementation, conduct of research activities, data collection, tracking and coordination.

· Demonstrated ability to build teams and sustain collegial relationships with peers, faculty, study staff, students, other learners, and representatives of academic institutions and other outside organizations as well as funding agencies.

· Commitment to and success in advancing institutional initiatives in diversity, inclusion, equity, and access to care.

· Proven ability to initiate, coordinate, and maintain key scholarly engagement efforts vital to the success of the CARDIA study.

· Must possess excellent communication skills – both written and verbal

· Must be detail-oriented, organized, and responsive.

· Knowledge of the CARDIA study, including the design, different entities involved, ancillary study structure, etc. is desirable.

· An M.D., Ph.D., DrPH, and/or similar terminal degree(s)

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited and should be submitted to Ms. Mischell Massey at mischellmassey@uabmc.edu Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, although indication of interest is encouraged by March 1, 2024, for full consideration.

Applicants will need to submit a CV and 1- to 2-page letter of interest.

Within the letter of interest, candidates should include specifics regarding their interest in the position, relevant leadership experience, their high-level vision for this role, and a summary of relevant past accomplishments.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.

· A record of outstanding personal academic accomplishments and credentials within the space of coordinating centers and data management.

· Experience in leading research studies, oversight of personnel, protocol implementation, conduct of research activities, data collection, tracking and coordination.

· Demonstrated ability to build teams and sustain collegial relationships with peers, faculty, study staff, students, other learners, and representatives of academic institutions and other outside organizations as well as funding agencies.

· Commitment to and success in advancing institutional initiatives in diversity, inclusion, equity, and access to care.

· Proven ability to initiate, coordinate, and maintain key scholarly engagement efforts vital to the success of the CARDIA study.

· Must possess excellent communication skills – both written and verbal

· Must be detail-oriented, organized, and responsive.

· Knowledge of the CARDIA study, including the design, different entities involved, ancillary study structure, etc. is desirable.

· An M.D., Ph.D., DrPH, and/or similar terminal degree(s)

A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.