1
Identifying Your Strengths and Interests:
Understanding what you enjoy and excel at is the first step in designing your career path.
2
Setting Short- and Long-Term Goals:
Establish measurable, achievable milestones to guide your journey.
3
Creating Action Plans:
Outline the steps, resources, and people that can help you achieve each goal.
4
Seeking Feedback and Mentorship:
Engage with mentors and seek feedback to stay on track.
EXPLORE POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS
It takes an incredible variety of roles to make our world-renowned care possible – including some you may not have even thought of before. To help you craft a well-informed Career Roadmap, we invite you to look at some of the diverse roles available throughout the UCLA Health system and the requirements of these positions to find what might interest you.
Select a career you are truly passionate about, and then work really hard to achieve amazing results. The rest, including success, will follow.
Janet Rimicci – Sr. Executive Director
A PASSION FOR NEW DIRECTIONS
We provide you with a wide variety of options for defining and following a uniquely rewarding career path. Take a closer look at a few of the roles you can pursue.
Select a career area from the dropdown to reveal potential opportunities for your career path.
Select a role from the following tabs to see what career paths are available for your current role.
Scribe
If you have an interest in healthcare, becoming a Scribe is a great way to gain experience while supporting providers by documenting patient visits in real time. You’ll help ensure accurate medical records, support coordinated care, and contribute to an efficient, patient-centered experience—while building skills in communication, organization, and clinical terminology.
Administrative Support (Front Desk)
Be the welcoming presence for patients and families entering our clinics and create a seamless and supportive experience ensuring patients feel informed, respected, and cared for from arrival through departure. You’ll also maintain clinic flow, support providers and staff, and contribute to coordinated, patient-centered care.
Patient Service Representative/ Patient Navigator
Help patients access care by coordinating referrals, authorizations, and follow-up services. Working closely with providers and clinical teams, you’ll ensure patients move efficiently through the healthcare system while maintaining a positive, informed experience.
Surgery Scheduler
As a key member of our ambulatory surgical teams at UCLA Health, you guide patients through the coordination of their surgical procedures once a provider determines surgery is needed. In this role, you manage scheduling, authorizations, and communication across care teams — ensuring each patient’s surgical journey is organized, timely, and supported. You serve as a trusted point of contact for patients and providers, helping create a seamless experience from scheduling through the day of surgery. Experience in surgical scheduling, referral coordination, or complex healthcare scheduling required.
Assistant Practice Manager/ Administrative Supervisor
Support clinic operations and guide administrative and support staff to ensure the delivery of efficient, patient-centered care. Partner with providers and operational leaders to coordinate patient flow, support staff performance, and maintain a positive and organized clinic environment.
Practice Manager
Oversee the business and patient care functions of a UCLA Health practice. Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for front- and back-office teams, coordinate clinical services, and ensure operational excellence across the clinic. Align clinic operations with UCLA Health’s standards of service, quality, and patient experience. Practice Manager roles require strong leadership, coaching, communication and team development skills with growth opportunities to advance into a Clinical Director role.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Working with providers and nurses, you’ll support the delivery of compassionate, efficient ambulatory care while helping ensure patients feel prepared, informed, and cared for throughout their visit. You will also support patient safety, clinic flow, and the overall care experience. Medical Assistant Certificate required.
Echocardiography Technician (Echo Tech)
Perform specialized cardiac imaging studies that support diagnosis and treatment planning. Collaborate with cardiologists and clinical teams to provide high-quality diagnostic testing. Applicable technical and BLS certification required. Growth opportunities exist to advance into lead, supervisor, administrative or operational roles.
Senior Licensed Vocational Nurse (Sr. LVN)
Serve as an experienced clinical leader within the ambulatory setting. Deliver skilled nursing care while also helping guide workflows, mentor team members, and support high standards of clinical practice. Requirements include an active California LVN License, BLS Certification and relevant ambulatory or specialty clinical experience. Growth opportunities exist to advance into supervisor or Practice Manager positions.
LVN Supervisor (Back Office Supervisor)
Provide clinical and operational leadership for back-office teams within the ambulatory setting. Oversee LVNs, Medical Assistants, and other non-RN/NP clinical support staff, ensuring care delivery is safe, efficient, and aligned with system standards. For success in this role, you’ll need an active California LVN License, supervisory or leadership experience in a clinical setting and knowledge of ambulatory workflows and electronic health records.
Select a role from the following tabs to see what career paths are available for your current role.
Patient Access Representative
Support accurate patient registration, insurance verification, and front-end revenue cycle workflows. Register patients by collecting and verifying demographic and insurance information. Coordinate with scheduling, clinical, and financial clearance teams to support timely care. Requirements include medical office, hospital, or healthcare-adjacent exposure and familiarity with patient registration, scheduling, or insurance workflows.
Patient Authorization / Pre-Registration / Financial Counselor
Ensure patients are prepared for care by verifying insurance benefits, eligibility, and financial responsibility prior to service. Obtain and track authorizations and referrals, communicate financial expectations to patients and coordinate with clinics, providers, and payers to resolve clearance issues. Support pre-registration workflows and manage Epic work queues.
Quality Assurance Analyst
Review authorization, verification, and registration work to ensure accuracy and consistency. Identify quality trends, workflow gaps, and training opportunities. Maintain and update training materials and standardized workflows. Support onboarding and training efforts.
Billing & Collections
Billing & Collections professionals ensure UCLA Health is reimbursed accurately and on time for the care we provide.
Collections Representative
Manage a defined portfolio of patient and insurance accounts. Build a strong foundation in billing workflows, payer rules, and account documentation.
Patient Biller III
Take ownership of higher-value and more nuanced accounts. Research discrepancies, apply contractual adjustments, rebill claims, and handle a high volume of patient and payer communication.
Senior Collections Representative
Handle escalated cases, refunds, payment plans, self-pay balances, and special programs. Serve as a subject matter expert, support training and onboarding, and help ensure consistency and quality across the team while maintaining productivity goals. Growth opportunities exist to advance into varying roles, including supervisory or team lead roles, management and leadership.
Accountant II
Support high-quality patient care by ensuring accurate and timely financial records across UCLA Health. Deliver transactional accuracy, general ledger support, and foundational accounting processes that enable reliable reporting and informed operational decisions.
Senior Accountant III
Build on foundational accounting expertise by managing complex reconciliations, analyses, and reporting activities. You’ll coordinate across departments and serve as financial liaisons supporting budgeting, reporting, and operational decision-making.
Senior Accountant IV
Provide advanced financial oversight and serve as a senior financial partner to departments and executive leadership. Manage complex accounting activities, reporting, audits, and compliance efforts while translating financial data into strategic insights.
Health Information Coding
Health Information Coders at UCLA Health support accurate, compliant, and efficient coding across outpatient, specialty, and inpatient services. From entry-level E/M coding to advanced auditing and technical leadership, coders contribute directly to revenue integrity, claim accuracy, provider documentation improvement, and overall patient care quality.
Health Information Coder I
Support accurate and compliant medical coding for evaluation and management (E/M) services and basic outpatient procedures. Build foundational skills while contributing to revenue integrity, claim accuracy, and improved provider documentation. Completion of a coding certificate program and CPC required within 12 months.
Health Information Coder II – Specialties
Perform independent professional coding across multiple specialties while resolving claim edits and supporting compliance efforts. Demonstrate increased technical skill and productivity while working with greater autonomy. CPC (or equivalent) and 2+ years of professional coding experience required.
Health Information Coder III – Outpatient / Specialties
Handle advanced outpatient and specialty coding with elevated productivity, technical expertise, and accountability. Serve as a technical resource to support team education while managing higher-complexity cases. COC, CPC, CPC-H, or CCS and 3+ years of outpatient coding experience required.
Health Information Coder IV – Advanced / Expert (Coder or Auditor Track)
Serve as an expert coder or auditor supporting the most complex inpatient and professional coding cases, compliance initiatives, and education efforts. Serve as a technical authority and play a critical role in audit oversight and regulatory compliance. A minimum of 5 years of inpatient and/or professional coding experience and CCS or CPC required. RHIT or RHIA preferred.
Patient Access Manager
Lead front-end access teams that support patient registration, scheduling, and clinic operations. Guide staff, optimize workflows, and help ensure patients can access care efficiently while maintaining a high standard of service.
Financial Clearance Supervisor
Oversee teams responsible for insurance verification, authorizations, and financial clearance. Play a critical role in preparing patients for care by ensuring financial processes are completed accurately and on time. Requires leadership or supervisory experience in patient access or revenue cycle operations; knowledge of front-end workflows, insurance processes, and Epic systems; experience managing staff performance, productivity, and quality standards; and the ability to analyze workflows and drive process improvement.
Accounting Supervisor/ Manager
Supervise accounting operations and staff while ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and strategic use of financial information. Oversee financial processes, reporting consistency, staff performance, and compliance efforts that support sustainable operations and high-quality patient care. Requires leadership and team development experience; advanced GAAP and healthcare accounting expertise; budgeting, variance analysis, and financial reporting proficiency; and knowledge of audits, regulatory requirements, and compliance standards. Growth opportunities exist to advance into Director or Controller roles.
Billing and Collections Manager
Oversee the people, processes, and performance that ensure UCLA Health is paid accurately, compliantly, and on time. Guide teams handling complex patient and payer accounts, set priorities, monitor performance metrics, and remove barriers affecting cash flow, quality, and compliance. Develop teams, oversee complex account resolution/escalations and ensure compliance with payer rules, regulatory standards, and internal policies, use data and reporting to drive operational and financial improvements. People leadership and performance management; revenue cycle analytics and KPI oversight; workflow optimization and process redesign; compliance and risk mitigation; cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder communication skills; and strategic decision-making skills tied to organizational revenue goals are essential for success. Growth opportunities exist to advance into leadership roles.
Select a role from the following tabs to see what career paths are available for your current role.
Entry-Level: Cashier
Support daily hospital dining operations by providing friendly, accurate service at the point of sale. Create a welcoming environment for staff, patients, and visitors while ensuring transactions are handled efficiently and professionally. Strong math and customer service skills, attention to detail and basic computer or POS system experience required.
Entry-Level: Food Service Worker
Assist with food preparation and service, delivery, general kitchen housekeeping tasks, and sanitation to support hospital dining operations. Help maintain safe, efficient, and well-organized food service areas for patients and visitors. Requirements include knowledge of general and nutrient-modified diets.
Mid-Level: Cook
Prepare and cook meals that meet quality, safety, and nutrition standards in a healthcare environment. Produce consistent, timely meals that support both patient care and employee dining services. Requirements include strong prioritization skills, and the ability to work independently.
Mid-Level: Sous Chef
Support kitchen leadership by overseeing food preparation, staff coordination, and quality standards. Help ensure efficient operations and consistent food quality. Professional cooking experience in a commercial kitchen, Food Handler Certification and a California Driver’s License required.
Mid-Level: Registered Dietitian
Provide expert nutrition care by assessing patient needs and developing individualized nutrition plans. Be a vital member of the healthcare team, supporting medical treatment and recovery through nutrition therapy. Requirements include Registered Dietitian certification and Clinical nutrition knowledge.
Leadership: Clinical Nutrition Manager
Lead clinical nutrition services by overseeing clinical nutrition staff, programs, and compliance with healthcare standards. Ensure nutrition care aligns with clinical best practices and organizational goals. Requires Registered Dietitian license and substantial experience as a Dietitian.
Leadership: Food Services Manager
Oversee large-scale food service operations across hospital locations, focusing on quality, safety, and efficiency. Ensure dining services meet the needs of patients, staff, and visitors. Requires food handler certification.
Delivering the right supplies and equipment to the right places at the right time, every time. That’s the mission of Materials Management. In our team-driven environment, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our hospitals running smoothly and ensuring patients receive exceptional care. This area offers strong entry-level opportunities – no clinical experience required – with excellent growth potential.
Entry-Level: Central Service Technician
Ensure clinical areas have the supplies they need to deliver safe, high-quality patient care. Manage, distribute, and monitor critical and sterile medical supplies for surgery, procedural units, and inpatient care. Basic data entry or inventory system experience and a California Driver’s License (as needed) required.
Entry-Level: Storekeeper
Manage the flow of medical and non-medical supplies. Receive, store, and distribute items across the hospital, ensuring clinical and support departments have what they need, when they need it. Experience in warehouse, logistics, or materials management and a California Driver’s License (as needed) required.
Mid-Level: Central Service Technician Lead
Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to Central Service or Storekeeper teams while also performing hands-on work. Help ensure workflows, quality standards, and service expectations are met. Central Service Technician or Storekeeper experience and a California Driver’s License (as needed) required.
Leadership: Logistics Supervisor
Oversee the daily operations of Materials Management areas, including Linen, Distribution, Receiving, and Mailroom. Ensure clinical supply needs are met while supervising and supporting large teams. Develop departmental policies and ensure compliance with UCLA Health and UC System standards. Requires a California Driver License and inventory management and systems knowledge.
Entry Level: Patient Transport Team Technician
Support our exceptional care by safely transporting patients throughout our facilities while delivering a reassuring and compassionate experience. Play a vital role in patient flow and operational efficiency by ensuring timely, safe, and respectful movement of patients in coordination with clinical and support teams.
Entry Level: Lift Team Technician
Specialize in patient positioning, lifting, transferring, and transport across our facilities. Play a critical role in reducing patient and staff injury while ensuring patients are moved with care, dignity, and respect.
Mid-level: Lead Patient Transport & Lift Team Technician
Support award-winning care as a working lead for patient transport and lift operations across our facilities. Ensure safe, timely, and compassionate patient movement while providing guidance, support, and direction to team members and promoting best practices in patient handling, safety, and service. Requires demonstrated experience in patient transport and/or lift team operations with a commitment to patient safety, dignity, and compassionate care.
Leadership: Patient Transport Supervisor
Supervise patient transport operations and staff across assigned facilities. Ensure the safe, timely, and compassionate movement of patients while supporting efficient patient flow, high service standards, and compliance with safety and infection prevention guidelines. Requirements include experience in patient transport operations with proven leadership and supervisory skills.
Entry Level: Senior Custodian
Make world-class patient care possible by maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary environment across facilities. Support infection prevention and daily operations by ensuring spaces, equipment, and surfaces are cleaned, sanitized, and maintained.
Mid-Level: Lead Custodian
Lead custodial activities and ensure a clean, safe, and sanitary environment across assigned areas. Serve as working leaders, providing guidance and direction to custodial staff while maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety, and professionalism.
Leadership: Custodian Supervisor
Supervise custodial operations and staff to ensure a clean, safe, and sanitary environment. Provide leadership, coordination, and oversight of daily custodial activities while ensuring compliance with cleanliness, safety, and infection prevention standards. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are required.
Entry Level: Security Officer
Support the safety and security of hospital operations by protecting people, property, and assets across our facilities. Help create a safe, respectful environment for staff, patients, and visitors by maintaining a visible presence, enforcing policies and applicable laws, and responding promptly and professionally to safety concerns. Requirements include California Guard Card and Driver’s License, basic Life Support Certification through Red Cross or American Heart Association and Pepper Spray Chemical Agent Certification.
Mid Level: Senior Security Officer
Support the safety and security of hospital operations by providing advanced protection of people, property, and assets across our facilities. Serve as an experienced resource and role model, helping maintain a safe, respectful environment for staff, patients, and visitors through strong situational awareness, policy enforcement, and professional response. Minimum of 5 years of experience, along with IAHSS Basic and Advanced certifications required.
Leadership: Security Supervisor
Support the safety and security of hospital operations by leading and overseeing security staff and activities across our facilities. Ensure a safe, respectful environment for staff, patients, and visitors by providing day-to-day leadership, coordinating responses to incidents, enforcing policies and applicable laws, and serving as a key point of contact for security operations. Requirements include experience in a senior or lead security role, preferably in a healthcare setting and strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills. Growth opportunities exist for advancement into a Security Operations Manager role.
Select a role from the following tabs to see what career paths are available for your current role.
Administrative Clinical Care Partner
Support nursing teams by helping keep care environments organized, responsive, and patient focused. Support patients and families while gaining exposure to the clinical care setting. This position is ideal for candidates interested in starting a career in nursing or health care. To qualify, you must have California CNA license and BLS certification.
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Provide basic, hands-on nursing care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or physician. Perform wound care, collect patient specimens, and record health information. These positions require LVN, I.V. and BLS certification.
Clinical Nurse I
Provide routine patient care under close supervision, applying theoretical nursing concepts in controlled clinical situations. The Clinical Nurse I position is reserved for our Nurse Residency Program and is intended for newly graduated nurses from an accredited nursing program with less than six months of RN experience.
Clinical Nurse II (Inpatient/ Outpatient)
Provide patient care under general supervision, performing established nursing interventions and utilizing current clinical knowledge in a structured environment. The Clinical Nurse II position is for nurses with six months or more of experience and is considered an experienced RN role. Requirements include a California RN license, BLS certification, ADN (with approval), BSN or MSN. Additional experience/certification requirements vary by department.
Administrative Nurse I
Administrative Nurse roles combine clinical knowledge with operational leadership. These nurses support unit operations, staffing, performance improvement, and day-to-day clinical workflows while partnering closely with leadership teams.
Requirements include:
- California RN license
- BLS from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
- ADN (with approval), BSN or MSN
- Additional, specific experience or certification requirements may vary by department
Nurse Practitioner
Provide advanced clinical care, diagnose and treat patients while collaborating closely with physicians and interdisciplinary teams. Enjoy a high level of autonomy and play a critical role in improving access, quality, and continuity of care.
These roles require:
- California RN & NP license
- MSN or DNP in Nursing
- CA, NP Furnishing with Schedule II, NPI#, DEA#, Enrollment in PECOS and in CURES
- BLS from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
- National NP Board certification in a relevant specialty
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Provide expert nursing care and guide practice improvements across our hospitals and clinics. Consult with care teams, mentor staff, and lead evidence-based initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and nursing practice.
Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Facilitate education and professional growth for the nursing workforce. Design training programs, support competency development, and partner with clinical teams to elevate nursing practice.
Clinical Nurse Manager
Oversee daily nursing operations for a unit or department. Responsible for staffing, quality outcomes, performance management, and team development, ensuring safe, efficient, and patient-centered care.
Unit Director
Provide strategic leadership for nursing units, overseeing operations, quality initiatives, budgets, and workforce planning. Set the vision and culture for your team while aligning unit goals with UCLA Health’s broader mission and standards of excellence.
Requirements:
- California RN license
- BLS from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
- Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree required, one of which must be in Nursing
- Specific experience or certification requirements may vary by department
Select a role from the following tabs to see what career paths are available for your current role.
Administrative Assistant/Academic Coordinator/Research Support Assistant
Begin your career supporting research and education at UCLA Health. Play a vital role in keeping programs organized, connected, and running smoothly. Support faculty, researchers, and staff with essential day-to-day tasks. As you progress from level I to III, you’ll take on greater responsibility, strengthen your skills, support more complex activities, and help guide others along the way. Strong organizational, communication and time management skills, along with proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic filing or data systems will ensure your success.
Clinical Research Coordinators
Coordinate clinical trials by supporting participant visits, regulatory preparation, and data collection. Work closely with investigators and senior coordinators to keep studies organized, compliant, and progressing on schedule. Build a strong foundation in clinical research operations that will prepare you for advanced responsibilities and growth into a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator role.
Laboratory Assistant I–II
Help research and teaching labs run smoothly by preparing materials, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and supporting safe, organized workspaces. Build hands-on technical skills and a strong foundation for future growth in research careers, including Laboratory Assistant III–IV, Staff Research Associate (SRA) and Lab Research Supervisor/Manager roles.
Staff Research Associate I–II
Support research teams by performing standard and specialized laboratory or field procedures, documenting data, and keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. Play a key role in adapting methods to meet evolving research needs and ensuring efficient workflows. Growth opportunities exist for advancement into various roles, including Staff Research Associate III–IV, Data Scientist Series, Lab Research Supervisor/Manager and Clinical Research Coordinator Series.
Research Administrator I
(Research Administrator I, Research Support Specialist, Grants Assistant, Pre-Award or Post-Award Assistant, Junior Fund Manager)
Start your career in research administration supporting core pre-award and post-award activities. Research policies, systems, and sponsor requirements while assisting experienced administrators with proposal preparation and award management. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and basic financial and analytical skills help prepare you for advancement into a Research Administrator II, Fund Manager, or Research Finance Analyst role.
Academic HR Analyst I–II
Support employees, supervisors, and leadership by ensuring Academic HR processes are accurate, timely, and compliant. Manage the employee/faculty lifecycle — from hiring and onboarding through compensation changes, leaves, and separations — while maintaining confidentiality and strong customer service. Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities help prepare you for advancement into HR/Academic Analyst III, HR/Academic Supervisor or Manager, or HR Business Partner roles.
Administrative Officer, Academic Program Manager, Research Administration Officer
Manage the operations that drive research and education programs. Move from task execution to overseeing key functions like finance, HR, facilities, and planning. Partner with faculty and leadership to solve problems, streamline processes, and keep programs advancing. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, the ability to manage complex projects and proficiency with budgeting, HR processes, and administrative systems will help prepare you for advancement into roles such as Administrative Officer IV, Division Administrator Senior or Research Administrator.
Senior Clinical Research Coordinator (Sr. CRC)
Manage one or more clinical trials and ensure full compliance across every phase of the study. Serve as a resource to junior coordinators and play a key role in maintaining high research quality and participant safety. Significant experience coordinating clinical trials, strong regulatory knowledge and GCP understanding and the ability to work independently and manage complex workflows can help you grow into a Clinical Research Supervisor.
Laboratory Assistant III–IV
Coordinate busy teaching and research labs by managing people, resources, schedules, and safety. Provide supervision, planning, and operational leadership to ensure academic programs and research projects run smoothly. Strong written and verbal communication skills, comfort training and guiding others and good problem-solving and adaptability in a fast-paced environment help prepare you for advancement into a Staff Research Associate (SRA) series, Clinical Research Coordinator series or Lab Research Supervisor/Manager role.
Staff Research Associate III–IV
Provide advanced technical and scientific leadership, manage complex research activities, and mentor others while working with a high degree of independence under academic guidance. Contribute original methodological ideas, ensure compliance, and produce technical analyses that support publications and long-term research goals. Leadership and supervisory skills, advanced problem-solving and analytical thinking and strong project planning and management skills will provide you with advancement opportunities into a Lab Research Supervisor/Manager, Data Scientist Series or SRA Supervisor role.
Research Administrator II–III
(Research Administrator II, Research Administrator III, Research Finance Administrator/Analyst, Fund Manager, Pre-Award or Post-Award Administrator)
Advance your career by independently managing research portfolios with increasing complexity. Serve as a primary point of contact for investigators and ensure accurate financial management and compliance. Strong analytical and financial management skills, working knowledge of sponsored research regulations, professional judgement, and effective communication with faculty and stakeholders help prepare you for advancement into a Research Administrator IV, Senior Research Administrator or Administrative Officer III.
Senior Academic HR Analyst
Serve as a resource and subject-matter contact, providing guidance on HR policies and processes. Analyze issues, advise managers and support more complex personnel matters while contributing to process improvements. Strong judgment and problem-solving skills and the initiative to identify gaps and improve processes help prepare you for advancement into an HR/Academic Supervisor or Manager, HR Business Partner or Academic/HR Director.
Administrative Officer IV/ Senior Administrative Officer
Play a key leadership role in shaping how research and education programs operate and grow. Serve as a trusted advisor to faculty and leadership, overseeing complex operations, guiding long-range planning, and leading teams that support high impact programs. Advanced knowledge of research, academic, or healthcare administrative operations, strong leadership skills, and experience leading teams, managing change, and driving organizational improvements help prepare you for advancement into a Director of Administration, Senior Operations Manager or Executive level Administrative or Academic Affairs Leadership Roles.
Clinical Research Supervisor
Oversee research operations and guide coordinators who support clinical trials. Ensure studies meet compliance standards, run efficiently, and support the department’s scientific goals. A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field, significant years of clinical research experience and experience working with IRBs and research oversight committees help prepare you for advancement into a Research Program Director, Clinical Research Operations Manager or Division or Department Administrator role.
Lab Manager / Lab Research Supervisor
Lead laboratory operations by supporting research teams, coordinating people and resources, and ensuring that labs run safely, efficiently, and with high scientific quality. Guide staff, improve workflows, and help researchers achieve reliable, reproducible results. Strong leadership, mentoring and organizational skills and a solid understanding of core laboratory practices help prepare you for advancement into a Senior Lab Manager, Core Facility Manager, Research Operations Manager / Director, Scientific Program Manager or Technical Director or Lab Administrator role.
SRA Supervisor (SRA IV – Supervisor)
Support research teams by overseeing daily laboratory operations, supervising staff, and ensuring that scientific procedures are performed safely, accurately, and efficiently. Help maintain a productive research environment by training team members, managing workflows, and supporting high-quality experimental work. Strong leadership, mentoring skills and excellent organizational and workflow management skills help prepare you for advancement into a Division Manager.
Research Administrator IV–V
(Research Administrator IV, Research Administrator V, Senior Fund Manager, Senior Research Administrator, Research Administration Manager, Senior Contracts and Grants Officer/Administrator)
Lead with expertise and strategic insight at the senior level of research administration. Oversee complex or high-risk portfolios, provide advanced guidance to faculty and leadership, and strengthen research operations. Advanced knowledge of sponsored research policies and compliance, expert financial analysis and portfolio oversight and leadership, mentoring, and advisory skills help prepare you for advancement into a Research Administration Manager, Director of Research Administration, Director of Sponsored Programs, Research Operations, Senior Administrative or Academic Affairs Leadership role.
Academic HR Manager/Director
Lead people strategy, operations, and compliance across complex departments. Oversee HR teams, guide leaders, and ensure recruitment, compensation, training, and employee support systems run smoothly. A leadership, coaching, and team development background are essential for advancement to an HR Business Partner or Senior Leadership/Director role.
ROADMAP RESOURCES
The following articles provide helpful information that can go into creating your own personal Career Roadmap.
CAREER VALUES: HOW TO IDENTIFY YOURS
SOURCE: INDEED
Speaking with your manager about your career growth, or areas you’d like to develop, may seem intimidating. This article provides best practices for preparing for and holding that conversation, as well as following up with specific action steps, so that you can be proactive and take control of your career growth.
EXAMPLES OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM CAREER GOALS
SOURCE: NIAGRA INSTITUTE
If it’s been a while since you’ve been in the job search process, review these tips for how to get started.
