Program Operations Analyst

Department

BSD CTD - GDC Project Management

About the Department

The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. Learn more at https://gdc.cancer.gov/, https://gen3.org/, https://stats.gen3.org/, and https://ctds.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary

The Program Operations Analyst supports the development and operation of innovative biomedical data and software platforms that researchers rely on to advance cancer genomics. Reporting to the co-Principal Investigator and working in close partnership with the technical leads, the role contributes to planning, delivery, and communication across scientific, engineering, and operational teams, and serves as a point of contact for external partners.

Day to day, this position involves helping shape project and roadmap plans, identifying dependencies and risks, and keeping data and software releases on track. It also includes bringing the right people together and turning information into clear reports and proposals, in coordination with the Center's business operations and finance teams where needed. The Program Operations Analyst collaborates with the team to think through open questions and help develop practical solutions. Along the way, the Program Operations Analyst will gain familiarity with the software development lifecycle, data center infrastructure management, cancer genomics, and how shared data accelerates research.

The role is well suited to someone who is curious, organized, and analytical, and who enjoys solving problems, takes initiative, and is interested in how research and technology come together.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

• Support team planning for roadmaps and priorities, helping anticipate the dependencies and risks that shape the work ahead.
• Coordinate project meetings and collaborations, including scheduling meetings upon request, proactively identifying when discussions or cross-team coordination are needed to move work forward, and tracking decisions and action items through follow-up and completion.
• Participate in data and software release processes, including release planning, tracking progress, helping resolve blockers, assessing schedule impacts, and communicating status, risks, and potential delays in a timely manner to teams and partners.
• Assist with project documentation and reporting on activities, risks, and deliverables, including hardware asset tracking.
• Help prepare proposals and other program materials, working with technical teams as well as business operations and finance.
• Serve as a point of contact for external inquiries, triaging requests, finding answers, and drafting clear, thoughtful updates.
• Gain hands-on experience with the software development lifecycle and a broad familiarity with cancer genomics and how shared data accelerates research, with opportunities to contribute to increasingly complex and meaningful work as skills develop.
• Coordinates events, researches logistics, assists with planning and preparing presentations, event outreach, and post-event write ups.
• Assists with researching funding opportunities, preparing grant proposals, and drafting and/or editing other written materials with moderate guidance.
• Assists with other administrative projects as needed and acquire higher level guidance and skills.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience working in or alongside software development teams, in roles such as developer, product, QA, technical support, or data, and familiarity with how software is built and released.
• Experience working with customers, users, or partners, such as in customer service, technical support, or customer success roles, understanding their needs and finding solutions.
• Experience coordinating projects, events, or programs, including planning timelines, working through obstacles, and supporting decision-making.
• Experience improving how teams stay organized and synthesizing information into clear, actionable reports.
• Experience with complex fields or systems, such as science, healthcare, technology, finance, or engineering, and figuring out unfamiliar concepts and processes.
• Exposure to biology, genetics, cancer biology, or a related science, through coursework or professional experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Shows curiosity and a desire to learn, quickly grasping new concepts in cancer genomics, research, and technology, adopting new software and tools with ease, asking insightful questions, and seeking knowledge beyond the tasks at hand.
• Applies analytical and problem-solving skills with a bias toward action, helping to bring structure to ambiguous situations, identifying gaps or risks, and working with the team to develop practical solutions.
• Develops an understanding of how the program's parts connect, including contracts, timelines, teams, and deliverables, and contributes ideas to improve processes that support the team's work.
• Stays highly organized and detail-oriented, tracking moving pieces, adapting to changing priorities, following up on outstanding items, closing the loop on tasks, and catching errors before they become problems.
• Helps organize and facilitate meetings, supporting focused discussions and ensuring decisions, owners, and next steps are captured and followed through, while recognizing when additional coordination is needed to move work forward.
• Communicates clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, delivering effective updates, raising risks, blockers, and potential delays early, and tailoring messages to different audiences.
• Works effectively both independently and as part of a team, collaborating with scientists, engineers, and administrators and readily supporting colleagues when needed.
• Serves as a dependable contact for external collaborators and partners, building trust through consistent follow-through.
• Exercises sound judgment, learning when to act on their own and when to seek guidance, and handles confidential information with integrity and discretion.
• Seeks increasing responsibility and ownership, acts on feedback, learns from mistakes, and demonstrates continuous growth and improvement.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$60,000.00 - $85,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.