Protocol Coordinator

COG Research Foundation, LLC is a California 501(c)(3) entity that was founded in 2024 and designed to become the federal grantee organization for the Children's Oncology Group (COG). The COG, a member of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.

COG unites over 12,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 220 leading children’s hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia in the fight against childhood cancer.

COG conducts more than 100 active clinical trials, with approximately 12,000 patients registered on COG trials each year. These trials include front-line treatment for many types of childhood cancers, studies aimed at determining the underlying biology of these diseases, and trials involving new and emerging treatments, supportive care, and survivorship.

Position Summary

The Protocol Coordinator (PC) serves as the protocol document specialist on the study team (Protocol Coordinator, Research Coordinator, Study Builder and Statistician) for all assigned COG trials. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining clinical research protocols, concepts, site communication memos, study training materials and other study related documents under the scientific direction of the Study Chair and COG/Scientific Committee leadership. This includes managing all internal and external review and approval processes throughout the trial, from early study concept to amendments, and coordinating with fellow team members.

The COG Research Foundation, LLC is a 100% remote employer, though some travel may be required.  Employee must reside within the United States.

Full salary range for this position: $ 64,542 to $ 92,421 per year. The typical hiring range for this position is from $64,542 (minimum) to $78,482 (midpoint), based on 100% FTE. The starting salary is determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Study Development

• Serve as the protocol document specialist within the study team.
• Manage the development of all documents relating to clinical research protocols in conjunction with the study chair, study committee, COG scientific committee leadership and the study team.
• Review supplemental protocol documents, including lab manuals, pharmacy manuals, and Electronic Medical Record templates.
• Coordinate all internal and external review and approval processes throughout the length of a trial, from early study concept to study closure.
• Work with the study committee to ensure protocol changes related to National Coverage Analysis feedback is appropriately incorporated.
• Establish and communicate clear study development goals and deadlines to be met by study chairs, pharmacists, statisticians, research coordinators, and other members of the study committee in order to ensure study activation within Operational Efficiency Working Group (OEWG) timelines.
• Manage weekly study development calls with the study committee to facilitate protocol development discussion and lead study development and study activation kick-off calls.
• Design experimental design schemas and therapy delivery maps consistent with the treatment plan outlined in the protocol.
• Maintain internal study records in study folders and track important study events through COG tracking applications as outlined in departmental SOPs.
• Work with team Research Coordinators to review draft Case Report Forms (CRFs) for consistency with the protocol document and ensure specific requirements of the protocol are met.
• Follow all steps of PC SOPs regarding study development and deliver a final research document that incorporates all clinical details needed to treat subjects and research elements needed to answer study questions.
• Work with the League Administrative Assistants to prepare e-friendly study documents that contain the appropriate bookmarks and active links for website posting.

Study Management

• Communicate with and facilitate communication between study chairs, study committee members, scientific committee chairs, institutional CRAs and other cooperative groups as necessary.
• Work with the study team to respond to and resolve queries. Take the lead on resolving issues relating to study documents.
• Track information on reported problems regarding consistency and/or clarity in open protocols and work with the study team, study chairs, and disease chairs to resolve problems and amend the document as necessary.
• Identify the need for website postings to communicate updates for studies and prepare documents to be posted.
• Stay informed of upcoming projects by attending study/disease committee meetings and team/league meetings. Represent COG operations at COG scientific meetings.
• Perform related duties as required or assigned by the league leadership.

Writing 

• Draft informed consent documents and youth information sheets according to COG guidelines.
• Maintain standard COG template language sections in protocol documents.
• Draft study-specific supplemental documents as needed.
• Assist with other projects as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in clinical research trials and clinical trial protocol development.
• Bachelor’s degree is required, or substitute with four additional years of relevant experience.

Other Qualifications

• Familiarity with clinical trial components such as statistics, study methodology, informed consent, eligibility, and adverse events.
• 2-3 years writing experience involving protocols, published manuscripts, grants or other documents related to scientific research is highly desired.
• Clinical research experience in life sciences or related field is desired.
• Demonstrated success and skill at researching, analyzing, and evaluating scientific information.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with Group staff and investigators.
• High level of computer literacy, including intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Knowledge of word processing and medical terminology.
• Masters in life sciences or related field is preferred.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status

This position is classified as exempt based on the job duties. However, based on the FTE, salary level of the employee, or federal/state/local laws, the employee may be classified as nonexempt.

Why Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to be on the ground floor of a critical role within a mission-driven organization. This position will play a vital part in shaping the function of the Children’s Oncology Group, contributing to lasting change and making a difference in the lives of children and families impacted by cancer.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit options include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), accrued Paid Time Off (PTO), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), cell phone and internet stipends, wellness stipend, paid holidays, and more. Employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for these benefit options. These benefits are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change in accordance with applicable policies and plan documents.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

COG Research Foundation, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

COG Research Foundation, LLC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Employment at COG Research Foundation, LLC is based on merit, competence, and qualifications, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for training and advancement for all employees. COG Research Foundation, LLC is also committed to making our application process accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, please feel free to access it here. 

ADA/Application Accommodation Statement 

COG Research Foundation, LLC is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities in the application and employment process, consistent with applicable law. Applicants who require accommodation are encouraged to make their request at the earliest opportunity to allow COG Research Foundation, LLC sufficient time to evaluate and respond to the request. Accommodation requests may be directed to the Recruitment Team at career@evolvehr.com.

This position falls under a contract with the Federal Government and is subject to the provisions in OMB Circular A-76 which prohibit contractors from performing inherently governmental functions. Specifically, employees placed in agency positions will not perform inherently governmental functions, nor supervise any personnel other than the contractor’s own staff, nor make final decisions or sign documents that commit the U.S. Government.