CRA (Level I)

ThermoFisher Scientific; City of Rome (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a Clinical Research Associate I to support monitoring and site management for global trials. You will perform remote or on-site visits, ensure protocol compliance, and manage essential documentation per ICH-GCP standards, working with investigators and sponsors.

The role emphasizes risk-based monitoring, timely reporting, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and subject safety across 100+ countries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or RN with relevant clinical qualifications.
• Minimal clinical monitoring experience allowing for entry-level CRA I.
• Valid driver's license where applicable.
• Equivalency of education/training may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Monitor sites using a risk-based monitoring approach and perform SDR/SDV review.
• Identify site process gaps and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Provide timely reports and maintain sponsor communications.
• Assist in investigator meetings and site initiation activities.
• Ensure essential documents are complete per ICH-GCP and regulations.
• Provide trial status updates and maintain accurate study systems.

Skills

ICH GCP & regulations

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Critical thinking

Risk Based Monitoring

Teamwork / independence

MS Office

English language

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Registered Nursing certification

Equivalent combination of education/training

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Join Us as a Clinical Research Associate I – Make an Impact at the Forefront of Innovation

We have successfully supported the top 50 pharmaceutical companies and more than 750 biotechs, spanning 2,700 clinical trials across 100+ countries in the last 5 years.

As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to perform and coordinate different aspects of the clinical monitoring and site management process. As a Clinical Research Associate I, you'll conduct remote or on-site visits to assess protocol and regulatory compliance and manage required documentation. You will manage procedures and guidelines from different sponsors and/or monitoring environments. Acting as a site processes specialist, you will ensure that the trial is conducted in accordance with the approved protocol, ICH-GCP guidelines, applicable regulations, and SOPs to guarantee subjects' rights, well-being, and data reliability. You will ensure audit readiness and develop collaborative relationships with investigational sites. Detailed tasks and responsibilities assigned to your role are outlined in the task matrix.

What You’ll Do:

• Monitors investigator sites with a risk-based monitoring approach: applies root cause analysis (RCA), critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify site processes failure and corrective/preventive actions to bring the site into compliance and decrease risks. Ensures data accuracy through SDR, SDV and CRF review as applicable through on-site and remote monitoring activities. Assess investigational product through physical inventory and records review. Documents observations in reports and letters in a timely manner using approved business writing standards. Escalates observed deficiencies and issues to clinical management expeditiously and follow all issues through to resolution. May need to maintain regular contact between monitoring visits with investigative sites to confirm that the protocol is being followed, that previously identified issues are being resolved and that the data is being recorded in a timely manner. Conducts monitoring tasks in accordance with the approved monitoring plan. Participates in the investigator payment process. Ensures a shared responsibility with other project team members on issues/findings
• resolution. Investigates and follows-up on findings as applicable.
• Participates in investigator meetings as necessary. May help to identify potential investigators in collaboration with the client company to ensure the acceptability of qualified investigative sites. Initiates clinical trial sites according to the relevant procedures to ensure compliance with the protocol and regulatory and ICH GCP obligations, making recommendations where warranted. Performs trial close out and retrieval of trial materials.
• Ensures that required essential documents are complete and in place, according to ICH-GCP and applicable regulations. Conducts on-site file reviews as per project specifications.
• Provides trial status tracking and progress update reports to the team as required. Ensures study systems are complete, accurate and updated per agreed study conventions (e.g. Clinical Trial Management System).
• Facilitates effective communication between investigative sites, the client company and internal project teams through written, oral and/or electronic contacts. Responds to company, client and applicable regulatory requirements/audits/inspections.
• Maintains and completes administrative tasks such as expense reports and timesheets in a timely manner.
• Contributes to the project team by assisting in preparation of project publications/tools and sharing ideas/suggestions with team members. Contributes to other project work and initiatives for process improvement, as required.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a life sciences related field or a Registered Nursing certification or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification.
• Minimal clinical monitoring experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 2 years) in a clinical environment where experience is gained in clinical trials, medical terminology, medical research, clinical research or health care or experience in a health sciences field with formal training in medical terminology and anatomy may be considered.
• Valid driver's license where applicable.
• In some cases an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Basic medical/therapeutic area knowledge and understanding of medical terminology
• Ability to attain and maintain a working knowledge of ICH GCPs and applicable regulations and procedural documents
• Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with medical personnel
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain customer focus through the utilization of good listening skills, attention to detail and the ability to perceive customers’ underlying issues
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to remain flexibile and adaptable in a wide range of scenarios
• Well-developed critical thinking skills, including but not limited to: critical mindset, in-depth investigation for appropriate root cause analysis and problem solving
• Ability to manage Risk Based Monitoring concepts and processes
• Ability to work in a team or independently as required
• Good computer skills: solid knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to learn appropriate software
• Good English language and grammar skills

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Work is performed in an office/ laboratory/clinical/and/or home office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Frequent drives to site locations. Frequent travel, generally 60-80% but more for some individuals. May also include extended overnight stays.
• Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms.
• Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves.
• Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.