Clinical Trial Program Specialist, Pain Medicine - 141305

University of California - San Diego Medical Centers; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - San Diego Medical Centers seeks a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Dean Laboratory in the Department of Anesthesiology and Center for Psychedelic Research. Start Fall 2026; you will manage startup, recruitment, and regulatory tasks across phase I-III trials.

You will guide investigators, ensure data quality, and prepare materials while coordinating with multiple departments and agencies. Excellent communication and organizational skills required.

Qualifications

• Strong theoretical knowledge or degree in a relevant science field.
• Experience with clinical trials and regulatory processes including IRB.
• Ability to plan startup procedures, feasibility and activation.
• Experience in budgeting, invoicing and contract aspects of trials.
• Experience in coordinating research teams and data handling.
• Excellent written and verbal English, interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate start-up procedures and recruitment for trials.
• Oversee screening, enrollment and subject maintenance.
• Develop informational materials and liaise with UCSD departments.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines (GCP).
• Oversee data quality and assist PIs with progress and manuscripts.

Skills

Clinical research coordination

IRB processes

Study startup procedures

Budget negotiations

Data management

Regulatory compliance

Coordination of multi-site trials

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology/Microbiology or related

Experience in clinical trials research

CRC certificate or Master's degree

Tools

IRB/ethics submission tools

Electronic data capture (EDC) systems

GCP compliance knowledge

Job description

The Dean Laboratory is recruiting a highly motivated individual to join the Department of Anesthesiology and Center for Psychedelic Research at UC San Diego beginning Fall 2026 as a Clinical Research Coordinator.

Current projects involve multimodal neuroimaging [fMRI, ASL, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS)], psychophysiology, pharmacokinetic/biomarker sampling and analysis, and behavioral assessments in healthy volunteers, neurological patients (e.g., stroke), and chronic pain patients in studies administering N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and other indoleamine compounds. The laboratory seeks to understand how these compounds alter neurochemistry and large-scale brain network function to promote recovery from neurological disease and disorders of consciousness, while also investigating the physiological roles of endogenous DMT and other naturally occurring indoleamine compounds in the mammalian brain.

Incumbent will coordinate and oversee start-up procedures, implementation, recruitment, screening, enrollment, and maintenance of subjects. Create informational and recruitment materials and act as a liaison with other UCSD departments and agencies for the purpose of implementation of studies. The Clinical Research Coordinator will plan, develop and implement start-up procedures for multiple phase I-III research studies in assigned disease team as well as lead, direct, and coordinator operational efforts. Assure compliance with state and federal regulatory guidelines. Oversee the quality of the medical and clinical research data. Provide direction and guidance to investigators. Provide education and information to the general public concerning the ongoing clinical trials. Assist PIs with proposals, progress reports and manuscripts. Independently create original documents and policies for assigned disease teams. Work closely with federal and state regulatory officials.

The successful candidate will help lead the management and execution of federally regulated human clinical trials investigating the neurofunctional and neurochemical mechanisms underlying pain, brain/mental health, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and related compounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong theoretical knowledge and/or Bachelor's Degree in a social science or basic science such as Biology, Microbiology or a related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical trials research. Strong knowledge of experimental protocols, data gathering, protocol design and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in research protocol start-up procedures, including: study feasibility, study activation and IRB processes, and qualification procedures. Strong experience in clinical trials research including budget negotiations and invoicing per clinical trial agreement.
• Demonstrated experience performing clinical research duties in a clinical research environment such as CRO, academic research institution, and/or a research hospital.
• Experience in providing work direction and assisting supervisor in maintaining an efficient medical research team.
• Strong knowledge of investigational protocols especially with pediatric oncology protocols (data management, query resolution, protocol design, protocol writing and protocol implementation).
• Demonstrated experience with research protocol in order to screen patients for eligibility, initiate treatment plan, collect specimens, and orient participating physicians.
• Strong experience completing clinical trials case report forms via hard copy and online.
• Proven ability to find creative and innovative solutions to adjusting needs of the center. Ability to be resourceful and to understand the overall nature of work/responsibilities to establish useful resources and University contacts.
• Ability to discern items that can be handled independently and those which require attention of supervisor, including ability to quickly determine subject matter of material and necessary action to be taken in a timely manner.
• Working knowledge of medical and scientific terminology.
• Proven ability to problem solve and resolve conflict.
• Excellent ability to organize/prioritize workload effectively to meet deadlines in an environment with multiple interruptions and changing priorities. Meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, as well as written and verbal communication skills (using grammatically correct written English and accurate typing) to interact with a variety of personalities at all levels of the organization, exercising tact, mature judgment, diplomacy, and flexibility to promote positive working relationships and job effectiveness. Skill at negotiating with various personalities and developing internal and external network of contacts. Excellent phone etiquette skills.
• Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software (Microsoft Office) and internet browser applications. Experience in conducting searches on the internet.
• Demonstrated administrative experience, skill to coordinate complex activities and to use independent judgment to organize and prioritize office functions.
• Coordinating interventional/investigational drug clinical trials and working in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements.
• Investigational product handling, dispensing, and/or accountability.
• Conducting protocol-required clinical research procedures, including participant screening/enrollment, vital signs and/or ECGs, and collection/handling of biological specimens.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of cost accounting as applied to both University and Medical Center functions. Demonstrated knowledge of medical billing and collections guidelines and procedures.
• Possess a Clinical Research Coordinator Certificate, or Masters Degree.
• Prior experience in human neuroimaging, clinical trial coordination, and/or psychedelic research.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.
• Employment is subject to pre-employment physical for those who work in clinical settings and/or with patients.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $84,940 - $136,555 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $40.68 - $65.40

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).