Symptom Management and Survivorship Committee Co-Chair

The SWOG Symptom Management and Survivorship Committee, led by two Co-Chairs, develops and conducts innovative, multidisciplinary clinical and translational research designed to improve symptom management during and after treatment, improve patient outcomes, investigate the science underlying symptoms, and enhance the quality of life throughout the cancer survivorship trajectory, with a particular focus on patients with early-stage cancer and/or non-metastatic cancer. The committee’s success reflects the integration of diverse scientific and clinical disciplines, including translational science, multispecialty clinical expertise, biostatistical design and analysis, as well as active collaboration with other NCTN groups and investigators across the broader cancer research community. 

Candidates should have a demonstrated record of scientific leadership, including scientific expertise and experience in symptom management during and after treatment as well as cancer survivorship research, the identification and/or application of biomarkers related to symptom management, and the design and conduct of clinical trials. Substantial experience in a cooperative group environment, including active participation in and leadership of clinical trials, is essential. Experience fostering team science and engaging the full range of disciplines represented within the Symptom Management and Survivorship Committee is highly desirable.

Key responsibilities and priorities include:

• Setting the scientific vision and priorities of the Committee, identifying the most important clinical questions and ensuring that SWOG resources and investigator efforts are directed toward studies with the greatest potential to improve patient outcomes.
• Developing a balanced and impactful clinical trials portfolio. Because the committee conducts research across the spectrum of Symptom Management and Survivorship, the Co-Chairs must establish priorities across disease areas and scientific opportunities while maximizing benefit to patients.
• Cultivating innovative research. The Co-Chairs will stimulate investigators to develop novel trial strategies and facilitate their progression from development of scientific concepts through high-quality SWOG protocols to study completion and analysis.
• Promoting team science and collaboration within SWOG and with other NCTN groups, the NCI, patient advocates, statistics and data management, and the broader clinical and translational research community. In-person attendance at the two annual SWOG group meetings is required to foster collaborations and engagement. 
• Developing the next generation of investigators, continuing the Committee’s strong tradition of mentorship, sponsorship, and professional and academic development of early-career members.
• Building an inclusive investigator community and clinical trial portfolio, fostering participation by both academic and community-based investigators with varied backgrounds and perspectives and promoting broad representation of patient populations in SWOG clinical trials.

SWOG Committee Co-Chairs are responsible for the overall scientific leadership of the committee and are expected to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving scientific and clinical landscape relevant to its disease areas. The co-chairs should also maintain awareness of ongoing and planned studies across the NCTN, NCORP and other research organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration, complementarity, and innovation. 

Working closely with SWOG leadership, the NCI, other NCTN/NCORP groups, SWOG’s Statistics and Data Management Center and SWOG’s Operations Office, and national scientific leaders, the Co-Chairs will guide the development of new studies and review proposed studies, concepts, protocols, and major amendments for scientific merit, clarity, feasibility, and alignment with the Committee’s strategic priorities. Committee Co-Chairs also contribute substantively to SWOG grant renewals and provide scientific and programmatic input for the Group’s annual Research Performance Progress Reports. 

A SWOG Committee Co-Chair may serve up to two consecutive five-year terms. Performance is reviewed annually by the SWOG Group Chairs, with a formal mid-term evaluation. The effort, 8-10% for this position, is budgeted based on available funding from NIH and will be compensated in accordance with applicable NIH salary limitations. 

To apply, submit a CV and NIH biosketch and a 1-page vision statement addressing requirements above to cdawson@swog.org by November 16, 2026.

•  Committee Chair job description