Specialty Lab Liaison - Project Manager

Viroclinics-DDL; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Cerba HealthCare in the Netherlands is seeking a Specialty Lab Liaison, Project Manager to oversee client engagements from award to closeout, bridging laboratory science with project execution.

You will coordinate cross-functional trial activities, contribute to BD discussions, manage study timelines and budgets, and ensure accurate invoicing and regulatory compliance across the global Cerba lab network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or PhD) in Life Sciences preferred.
• Experience in a project management or client-facing role, ideally within a service laboratory or CRO setting.
• Scientific literacy in specialty laboratory assays—enough to engage clients meaningfully, not to replace the scientist.
• Strong communicator—clear, direct, and proactive with both clients and internal teams.
• Commercially aware—understands that budget, invoicing, and client expectations are not secondary concerns.
• Solution-focused and resilient—you see problems as things to fix, not to upscale.
• Fluent in English; Dutch and/or French language skills are a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Serve as main interface between clients and specialty laboratory teams—managing expectations, timelines, and study progress.
• Bridge laboratory operations, science, and delivery—translate protocol requirements into operational reality.
• Support business development conversations, including input on project scope, costs, and feasibility.
• Drive accurate and timely invoicing by ensuring all project-related financial information reaches the Finance team.
• Identify and escalate operational risks before they become client problems.

Skills

Project management

Client-facing

Scientific literacy

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Life Sciences

Job description

Location - Netherlands

Specialty Lab Liaison - Project Manager

With over 40 years of clinical research expertise, Cerba Research has built a unique offering of services, which includes clinical trial management, specialty lab and biomarker services, and medical devices and diagnostics offerings.

Cerba Research supports clients from research and development all the way through clinical studies and commercialisation of therapies. We combine the deep therapeutic understanding and agility of a specialist with the capacity, breadth, and global reach of a central lab.

We provide key laboratory services to biopharma, government and not-for-profit organisations, supporting clinical trials. Our global accredited laboratory network and connected logistical infrastructure covers the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia, and Africa.

Why Join Us?

• Strategic Account Ownership - You'll be the named contact for some of Cerba's most important client relationships, with real responsibility from day one.
• Science Meets Delivery - This isn't a back-office PM role. You'll be in client conversations, supporting BD, and bridging laboratory science with project execution.
• A Platform for Growth - The team has a clear path toward programme and alliance management for those who deliver. There's room to grow in the direction you want.
• Scale and Heritage - You're joining a business with 40+ years of clinical research heritage, a global lab network, and long-standing relationships across biopharma and biotech.

How You Will Add Value

As Specialty Lab Liaison, you will contribute to:

• Acting as the primary interface between clients and specialty laboratory teams - managing expectations, timelines, and study progress
• Bridging laboratory operations, science, and delivery - translating protocol requirements into operational reality
• Supporting business development conversations, including input on project scope, costs, and feasibility
• Driving accurate and timely invoicing by ensuring all project-related financial information reaches the Finance team
• Identifying and escalating operational risks before they become client problems

Your Responsibilities

• Serve as main point of contact for clients throughout the full study lifecycle - from award through to closeout
• Coordinate clinical trial project execution in close collaboration with Lab Operations, CTSL, Business Development, and Data Transfer Solutions
• Prepare Analytical Plans in collaboration with clients and Lab Operations, and assign tests to samples via Sample Lists
• Report trial results to clients and compile Bioanalytical Reports where required
• Manage project timelines, planning, budget oversight, and change orders - ensuring scope changes are captured and communicated
• Participate in business development discussions, providing input on expected costs, benefits, and feasibility during the pre-award phase
• Ensure all project-related items are closed and archived at study end
• Maintain compliance with Cerba Research Quality systems, SOPs, and relevant regulatory requirements

Job Requirements

About You

You have a scientific foundation and know how to use it in a client-facing environment. You can hold the first technical conversation, know when to bring in a subject matter expert, and never lose sight of the project.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree (or PhD) in Life Sciences - virology, microbiology, immunology, or a related field preferred
• Experience in a project management or client-facing role, ideally within a service laboratory or CRO setting
• Scientific literacy in specialty laboratory assays - enough to engage clients meaningfully, not to replace the scientist
• Strong communicator - clear, direct, and proactive with both clients and internal teams
• Commercially aware - understands that budget, invoicing, and client expectations are not secondary concerns
• Solution-focused and resilient - you see problems as things to fix, not upscale
• Fluent in English; Dutch and/or French language skills are a strong advantage

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Cerba HealthCare, we believe that the diversity of people, backgrounds, and perspectives is an essential asset in fulfilling our mission: to improve the health of everyone, everywhere. We are committed to providing an inclusive work environment that guarantees equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of age, background, sexual orientation, disability, or any other personal characteristic. All talented individuals are encouraged to apply.

Travel

Limited travel may be required. Occasional travel to client sites or partner locations.