Senior Research Nurse - Thoracic-Head & Neck Medical Oncology
- Requisition #: 183777
- Department: Thoracic-Head & Neck Med Onc
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 10/27/2026
Senior Research Nurse
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Thoracic-Head & Neck Medical Oncology department specializes in the treatment and clinical research of thoracic malignancies and head and neck cancers, advancing innovative therapies and improving outcomes through multidisciplinary patient care and clinical trial participation. The Senior Research Nurse supports these efforts through protocol coordination, patient management, regulatory compliance, and research leadership.
The Senior Research Nurse serves as a key member of the clinical research team, collaborating with principal investigators, sponsors, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to ensure the successful conduct of clinical trials. The Senior Research Nurse provides expert oversight of protocol implementation, patient participation, data quality, and regulatory requirements while contributing to the advancement of cancer research and patient care at UT MD Anderson. The Senior Research Nurse also serves as a mentor and resource for research team members, supporting operational excellence and continuous program improvement.
The ideal candidate will have experience with Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical research studies, managing regulatory and protocol requirements, overseeing research data quality, educating patients and healthcare professionals, and mentoring research personnel. Experience in oncology research, clinical trial management, protocol operations, and leadership within a research environment is highly desirable. Must be a critical thinker, have the ability to prioritize changing demands and be a team player. Additionally, the deal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, two years of registered nurse experience, and one year oncology research nurse experience with UT MD Anderson.
Salary Range: $89,000 (minimum) - $111,000 (midpoint) - $133,000 (maximum)
Work Week: Days, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m./Hybrid Onsite/Remote. The first 6 months will be required to be onsite 4 days a week.
Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, the Senior Research Nurse plays a vital role in advancing groundbreaking clinical research that improves treatment options and outcomes for patients with thoracic and head and neck cancers. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with leading clinicians and researchers, contribute to innovative clinical trials, develop leadership and mentoring skills, and support a culture of excellence while maintaining a strong commitment to professional growth and work-life balance.
• 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.
Responsibilities
Protocol Management
• Assume responsibility for the effective operation of research protocols in collaboration with principal investigators and study sponsors
• Participate in site initiation visits, conference calls, interim assessments, and written business correspondence
• Ensure research-associated test and procedure charges are captured to research financial accounts when required by protocol
• Assess patient eligibility through personal interviews and medical record reviews in inpatient and outpatient settings
• Assess patient clinical status in real time and coordinate, evaluate, and monitor participation in clinical trials
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel, and multidisciplinary care teams as necessary
• Document protocol activities in patient medical records, protocol-specific documents, and institutional systems
• Communicate protocol treatment availability and support study accrual efforts
• Participate in the development and maintenance of protocol-specific order sets
• Maintain regulatory requirements including deviation logs, serious adverse event logs, adverse event logs, and IRB continuing reviews
Clinical Trial Operations & Regulatory Compliance
• Notify clinical and research laboratories of protocol-required testing including EKGs, pharmacokinetic studies, pharmacodynamic studies, and urine collections
• Prepare orders for protocol-related tests, procedures, consultations, pathology slides, and pathology blocks
• Facilitate communication among investigators, sponsors, laboratories, and research staff
• Ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, sponsor, and protocol-specific requirements
• Support protocol activation, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance activities
• Monitor adherence to protocol requirements throughout study participation
Protocol Data Management
• Assist principal investigators in the collection, review, and evaluation of clinical research data
• Oversee protocol-related documentation within the medical record
• Collaborate with data entry personnel to ensure accurate completion of databases and case report forms
• Review patient treatment responses, treatment-related toxicities, and adverse drug reactions with principal investigators
• Report required information to the Institutional Review Board and study sponsors
• Prepare protocol summary reports and other required study documentation
Patient & Professional Education
• Identify patient and family educational needs related to clinical trial treatment management, evaluations, and follow-up care
• Provide education and educational materials through in-person and telephone interactions
• Ensure protection of human research participants in accordance with federal, state, and institutional requirements
• Facilitate informed consent and re-consent processes for research participants
• Address participant questions and concerns throughout study participation
• Develop and provide in-service education regarding research protocols for professional and ancillary staff
• Provide accurate protocol information to multidisciplinary team members
• Maintain current knowledge of oncology and research study management through continuing education, professional meetings, and training programs
Training & Mentoring
• Mentor, train, and support newly onboarded and transferring research team members under the direction of the Research Nurse Manager
• Serve as a resource for team members and provide guidance in the absence of the Research Nurse Manager
• Pursue educational opportunities and share knowledge and best practices with research staff
• Develop research documents and tools that support successful clinical trial execution
• Participate in professional activities beyond the departmental level
• Identify program deficiencies and communicate recommendations and potential solutions to Research Nurse Managers
• Approach challenging situations constructively and support effective resolutions
• Assist in SOP development and implementation of guidelines and processes that improve efficiency and research program operations
• Support continuous process improvement initiatives and overall research program effectiveness
• Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Additional Information
#LI-Onsite
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Thoracic-Head & Neck Medical Oncology department specializes in the treatment and clinical research of thoracic malignancies and head and neck cancers, advancing innovative therapies and improving outcomes through multidisciplinary patient care and clinical trial participation. The Senior Research Nurse supports these efforts through protocol coordination, patient management, regulatory compliance, and research leadership.
The Senior Research Nurse serves as a key member of the clinical research team, collaborating with principal investigators, sponsors, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to ensure the successful conduct of clinical trials. The Senior Research Nurse provides expert oversight of protocol implementation, patient participation, data quality, and regulatory requirements while contributing to the advancement of cancer research and patient care at UT MD Anderson. The Senior Research Nurse also serves as a mentor and resource for research team members, supporting operational excellence and continuous program improvement.
The ideal candidate will have experience with Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical research studies, managing regulatory and protocol requirements, overseeing research data quality, educating patients and healthcare professionals, and mentoring research personnel. Experience in oncology research, clinical trial management, protocol operations, and leadership within a research environment is highly desirable. Must be a critical thinker, have the ability to prioritize changing demands and be a team player. Additionally, the deal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, two years of registered nurse experience, and one year oncology research nurse experience with UT MD Anderson.
Salary Range: $89,000 (minimum) - $111,000 (midpoint) - $133,000 (maximum)
Work Week: Days, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m./Hybrid Onsite/Remote. The first 6 months will be required to be onsite 4 days a week.
Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, the Senior Research Nurse plays a vital role in advancing groundbreaking clinical research that improves treatment options and outcomes for patients with thoracic and head and neck cancers. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with leading clinicians and researchers, contribute to innovative clinical trials, develop leadership and mentoring skills, and support a culture of excellence while maintaining a strong commitment to professional growth and work-life balance.
• 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.
Responsibilities
Protocol Management
• Assume responsibility for the effective operation of research protocols in collaboration with principal investigators and study sponsors
• Participate in site initiation visits, conference calls, interim assessments, and written business correspondence
• Ensure research-associated test and procedure charges are captured to research financial accounts when required by protocol
• Assess patient eligibility through personal interviews and medical record reviews in inpatient and outpatient settings
• Assess patient clinical status in real time and coordinate, evaluate, and monitor participation in clinical trials
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel, and multidisciplinary care teams as necessary
• Document protocol activities in patient medical records, protocol-specific documents, and institutional systems
• Communicate protocol treatment availability and support study accrual efforts
• Participate in the development and maintenance of protocol-specific order sets
• Maintain regulatory requirements including deviation logs, serious adverse event logs, adverse event logs, and IRB continuing reviews
Clinical Trial Operations & Regulatory Compliance
• Notify clinical and research laboratories of protocol-required testing including EKGs, pharmacokinetic studies, pharmacodynamic studies, and urine collections
• Prepare orders for protocol-related tests, procedures, consultations, pathology slides, and pathology blocks
• Facilitate communication among investigators, sponsors, laboratories, and research staff
• Ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, sponsor, and protocol-specific requirements
• Support protocol activation, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance activities
• Monitor adherence to protocol requirements throughout study participation
Protocol Data Management
• Assist principal investigators in the collection, review, and evaluation of clinical research data
• Oversee protocol-related documentation within the medical record
• Collaborate with data entry personnel to ensure accurate completion of databases and case report forms
• Review patient treatment responses, treatment-related toxicities, and adverse drug reactions with principal investigators
• Report required information to the Institutional Review Board and study sponsors
• Prepare protocol summary reports and other required study documentation
Patient & Professional Education
• Identify patient and family educational needs related to clinical trial treatment management, evaluations, and follow-up care
• Provide education and educational materials through in-person and telephone interactions
• Ensure protection of human research participants in accordance with federal, state, and institutional requirements
• Facilitate informed consent and re-consent processes for research participants
• Address participant questions and concerns throughout study participation
• Develop and provide in-service education regarding research protocols for professional and ancillary staff
• Provide accurate protocol information to multidisciplinary team members
• Maintain current knowledge of oncology and research study management through continuing education, professional meetings, and training programs
Training & Mentoring
• Mentor, train, and support newly onboarded and transferring research team members under the direction of the Research Nurse Manager
• Serve as a resource for team members and provide guidance in the absence of the Research Nurse Manager
• Pursue educational opportunities and share knowledge and best practices with research staff
• Develop research documents and tools that support successful clinical trial execution
• Participate in professional activities beyond the departmental level
• Identify program deficiencies and communicate recommendations and potential solutions to Research Nurse Managers
• Approach challenging situations constructively and support effective resolutions
• Assist in SOP development and implementation of guidelines and processes that improve efficiency and research program operations
• Support continuous process improvement initiatives and overall research program effectiveness
• Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
- Required: Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
- Preferred: Bachelor's Degree Nursing.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Required: Two years Registered Nurse experience.
- Preferred: One year Research Nurse experience.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Required: RN - Registered Nurse State of Texas Professional Nursing License (RN).
- Required: BLS - Basic Life Support or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
- Preferred: ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification as required by patient care area.
- Preferred: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification as required by patient care area.
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: 183777
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 89,000
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 111,000
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 133,000
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Soft
- Work Location: Onsite
- Pivotal Position: Yes
- Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
- Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
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