Research Nurse - Head & Neck Surgery
- Requisition #: 183005
- Department: Head & Neck Surgery - Research
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 9/21/2026
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Surgery division is dedicated to advancing oncologic surgery through safe, high-quality, multidisciplinary patient care, research, and education. The division is comprised of 10 specialized academic departments and works closely with partners in Perioperative Services and Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine to improve operating room processes and patient outcomes.
The Research Nurse will support this mission through coordination and management of clinical research activities within a nationally recognized Head and Neck Surgery program and will work closely with multidisciplinary teams while supporting a growing research portfolio, including a primary assignment with the psychedelic research oncology team. The Research Nurse plays a critical role in ensuring the successful operation of clinical trials and research protocols.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world's leading institutions focused exclusively on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. Through innovative clinical research and multidisciplinary collaboration, UT MD Anderson advances discoveries that improve outcomes for patients and communities worldwide. The Research Nurse contributes directly to these efforts by supporting clinical research operations, patient education, regulatory compliance, and protocol management.
The ideal candidate will possess experience in Head and Neck, behavioral health, and/or clinical research settings, with prior research experience strongly preferred. Experience with Epic is desirable. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, self-motivation, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary academic healthcare environment.
Salary Range: Minimum $77,500.00 - Midpoint $97,000.00 - Maximum $116,500.00
Work Location: Onsite presence required
Why Us?
Join a nationally recognized Head and Neck Surgery program with a rapidly growing clinical research enterprise and a unique opportunity to support innovative psychedelic oncology research. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking cancer research, collaborate with multidisciplinary experts, and make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes while growing professionally within one of the world's leading cancer centers.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Practice & Education
• Coordinate assigned research protocols in collaboration with the principal investigator, manager, and study sponsor
• Ensure compliance with institutional standards, policies, quality measures, FDA regulations, and ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines
• Assist the Research Nurse Manager with implementation of new projects and assigned research studies
• Develop patient recruitment methodologies and oversee organization and implementation of study activities and logistics
• Coordinate all aspects of patient and family education regarding treatment management, evaluation, and follow-up
• Deliver patient and family education in person, by telephone, or through written educational materials
• Provide or coordinate educational in-services for professional and ancillary staff
Data Management & Regulatory Compliance
• Coordinate all aspects of research data collection, evaluation, and entry according to institutional guidelines
• Assist investigators with collection and evaluation of study data
• Retrieve protocol-related data from medical records and accurately enter information into computerized databases or case report forms
• Maintain accurate and current study records in accordance with state, institutional, and protocol requirements
• Track protocols, amendments, safety reports, and continuing reviews in departmental and institutional databases
• Maintain screening, recruitment, and specimen tracking logs
• Document protocol and patient care information in the electronic medical record system
• Create and maintain regulatory binders and required study documentation
• Obtain, monitor, and maintain IRB-required training and safety compliance requirements
• Maintain knowledge of current regulatory policies, research requirements, NCI Common Toxicity Criteria, and institutional reporting standards
Protocol Management & Communication
• Collaborate with principal investigators and the Research Nurse Manager prior to implementation of new or existing clinical trials
• Lead and participate in multidisciplinary activities to ensure effective protocol management
• Serve as a liaison with sponsor institutions and sponsoring pharmaceutical companies
• Prepare and coordinate logistics for research studies prior to start-up meetings
• Coordinate and attend all protocol start-up meetings for new studies
• Establish and maintain efficient systems to support research operations
• Meet routinely with investigators to review protocol status and study progress
• Develop and provide monthly project reports to investigators, department leadership, and management
Quality Assurance & Research Oversight
• Apply clinical and research knowledge to support effective protocol management
• Conduct assigned research protocol operations according to FDA and ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines
• Coordinate internal and external audits for assigned research studies
• Monitor study compliance and safety requirements across assigned protocols
• Ensure ongoing adherence to institutional, regulatory, and study-specific requirements
Financial Management
• Participate in fiscal activities related to clinical research operations
• Support development, planning, and completion of protocol budgets as requested
• Collaborate with investigators and sponsors to resolve operational and budget-related issues
• Ensure appropriate charges and reimbursement for protocol-related patient costs
• Support the overall effective operation of designated clinical research protocols
Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
#LI-Hybrid
The Research Nurse will support this mission through coordination and management of clinical research activities within a nationally recognized Head and Neck Surgery program and will work closely with multidisciplinary teams while supporting a growing research portfolio, including a primary assignment with the psychedelic research oncology team. The Research Nurse plays a critical role in ensuring the successful operation of clinical trials and research protocols.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world's leading institutions focused exclusively on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. Through innovative clinical research and multidisciplinary collaboration, UT MD Anderson advances discoveries that improve outcomes for patients and communities worldwide. The Research Nurse contributes directly to these efforts by supporting clinical research operations, patient education, regulatory compliance, and protocol management.
The ideal candidate will possess experience in Head and Neck, behavioral health, and/or clinical research settings, with prior research experience strongly preferred. Experience with Epic is desirable. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, self-motivation, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary academic healthcare environment.
Salary Range: Minimum $77,500.00 - Midpoint $97,000.00 - Maximum $116,500.00
Work Location: Onsite presence required
Why Us?
Join a nationally recognized Head and Neck Surgery program with a rapidly growing clinical research enterprise and a unique opportunity to support innovative psychedelic oncology research. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking cancer research, collaborate with multidisciplinary experts, and make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes while growing professionally within one of the world's leading cancer centers.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Practice & Education
• Coordinate assigned research protocols in collaboration with the principal investigator, manager, and study sponsor
• Ensure compliance with institutional standards, policies, quality measures, FDA regulations, and ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines
• Assist the Research Nurse Manager with implementation of new projects and assigned research studies
• Develop patient recruitment methodologies and oversee organization and implementation of study activities and logistics
• Coordinate all aspects of patient and family education regarding treatment management, evaluation, and follow-up
• Deliver patient and family education in person, by telephone, or through written educational materials
• Provide or coordinate educational in-services for professional and ancillary staff
Data Management & Regulatory Compliance
• Coordinate all aspects of research data collection, evaluation, and entry according to institutional guidelines
• Assist investigators with collection and evaluation of study data
• Retrieve protocol-related data from medical records and accurately enter information into computerized databases or case report forms
• Maintain accurate and current study records in accordance with state, institutional, and protocol requirements
• Track protocols, amendments, safety reports, and continuing reviews in departmental and institutional databases
• Maintain screening, recruitment, and specimen tracking logs
• Document protocol and patient care information in the electronic medical record system
• Create and maintain regulatory binders and required study documentation
• Obtain, monitor, and maintain IRB-required training and safety compliance requirements
• Maintain knowledge of current regulatory policies, research requirements, NCI Common Toxicity Criteria, and institutional reporting standards
Protocol Management & Communication
• Collaborate with principal investigators and the Research Nurse Manager prior to implementation of new or existing clinical trials
• Lead and participate in multidisciplinary activities to ensure effective protocol management
• Serve as a liaison with sponsor institutions and sponsoring pharmaceutical companies
• Prepare and coordinate logistics for research studies prior to start-up meetings
• Coordinate and attend all protocol start-up meetings for new studies
• Establish and maintain efficient systems to support research operations
• Meet routinely with investigators to review protocol status and study progress
• Develop and provide monthly project reports to investigators, department leadership, and management
Quality Assurance & Research Oversight
• Apply clinical and research knowledge to support effective protocol management
• Conduct assigned research protocol operations according to FDA and ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines
• Coordinate internal and external audits for assigned research studies
• Monitor study compliance and safety requirements across assigned protocols
• Ensure ongoing adherence to institutional, regulatory, and study-specific requirements
Financial Management
• Participate in fiscal activities related to clinical research operations
• Support development, planning, and completion of protocol budgets as requested
• Collaborate with investigators and sponsors to resolve operational and budget-related issues
• Ensure appropriate charges and reimbursement for protocol-related patient costs
• Support the overall effective operation of designated clinical research protocols
Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
- Required: Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
- Preferred: Bachelor's Degree Nursing.
- Required: 1 year Registered nurse experience.
- Required: RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure Current State of Texas Professional Nursing license (RN). Upon Hire and
- Required: BLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or
- Required: CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation Upon Hire
- Preferred: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification as required by patient care area. Upon Hire
- Preferred: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification as required by patient care area. Upon Hire
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
- Requisition ID: 183005
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 77,500
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 97,000
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 116,500
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Soft
- Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
- Pivotal Position: Yes
- Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
- Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
#LI-Hybrid
