Manager, Research Operations

Astera; East Brunswick Township (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plan with company contribution

Profit sharing

Tuition assistance

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

Astera Cancer Care seeks a Manager of Research Operations in New Jersey to oversee the integrity, quality, and compliance of clinical trials. You will supervise coordinators, refine workflows, and monitor visits with sponsors under the Director of Clinical Research and PIs.

Responsibilities include protocol review, subject screening, IP inventory control, data integrity, and audits. Travel to all offices may be required; strong leadership and regulatory knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, life sciences or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of clinical research experience.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise clinical research coordinators, ensuring workload balance and adherence to regulatory and protocol requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to design and refine workflows and SOPs for quality and efficiency in clinical trial operations.
• Manage site qualification, initiation, and close-out visits with study sponsors and support successful trial execution.
• Review new study protocols and consent documents to ensure understanding of objectives, methodology, and safety monitoring.
• Oversee subject screening to ensure eligibility assessments based on medical history and protocol criteria.
• Ensure study visits follow protocol requirements, including procedures and testing.
• Oversee investigational product inventory, accountability, and reconciliation per sponsor and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure accurate data collection and entry into sponsor systems and internal databases.
• Serve as liaison with sponsor monitors and support monitoring visits.
• Lead review and dissemination of protocol amendments and safety notices with staff.
• Support sponsor audits, FDA inspections, and internal quality reviews.
• Maintain confidentiality and patient-centered care at all times.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology / life sciences

Job description

Why Join Us?

For us, what matters most is excellence. We are caring professionals, people who live, work and dedicate themselves to the communities within New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As such, we strive to provide a sanctuary of excellence, precision, thoroughness and genuine compassion. We also take a whole-person approach to patient care and treatment, tailoring all that we do around their unique needs. And we do all we can for patients, going the extra mile to see that they’re supported, informed and getting the one-on-one care and service they deserve.

Job Description:

This full-time position is responsible for ensuring the integrity, quality, and compliance of clinical trials conducted at Astera Cancer Care. The Manager of Research Operation oversees the accurate execution of study visit procedures and the proper collection and documentation of patient data in accordance with study protocols. A key focus of the role is the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of research participants. The position operates under the general supervision of the Director of Clinical Research and Principal Investigators.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Supervise clinical research coordinators, ensuring efficient workload distribution, performance optimization, and adherence to all regulatory and protocol-specific requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to design, implement, and refine workflows, processes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that support quality and efficiency in clinical trial operations.
• Manage site qualification, initiation, and close-out visits with study sponsors to support the successful implementation and execution of clinical trials.
• Review new study protocols and informed consent documents with staff to ensure comprehensive understanding of study objectives, methodology, visit schedules, adverse event reporting, and safety monitoring.
• Oversee subject screening conducted by coordinators, ensuring eligibility assessments are thoroughly based on medical history, current health status, and protocol-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Ensure that all study-related patient visits are conducted in compliance with protocol requirements, including clinical procedures, assessments, and testing.
• Supervise investigational product (IP) inventory, accountability, and reconciliation across sites in accordance with sponsor and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete data collection, documentation, and entry into sponsor systems and internal databases; verify that all activities meet protocol, regulatory, and institutional standards.
• Serve as a key liaison with sponsor representatives and monitors, addressing protocol inquiries and supporting monitoring visits.
• Lead the review and dissemination of protocol amendments, safety notices, suspensions, and terminations with direct reports.
• Liaises with sponsor staff such as study monitors and assists direct reports in the preparation for and completion of monitor visits.
• Act as a subject matter expert and resource for staff regarding investigational product administration, safety profiles, and trial protocol specifics.
• Conduct feasibility assessments and assist with patient screening for enrollment as needed.
• Support sponsor audits, FDA inspections, and internal quality reviews through thorough preparation and participation.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and patient-centered care at all times.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support departmental goals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degreein biology, life sciences or equivalent
• At least 5 years of clinical research experience
• Previous supervisory experience preferred

Work Environment:

• Office
• Travel to all offices as necessary

Pay Range: $120K - $130K

Pay Transparency: The above reflects the anticipated pay range for this position. The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s educational background, skills and professional experience.

We areproud to offer a comprehensive benefit package and paid time off. The health benefits include immediate eligibility for medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA, FSA and other ancillary benefits. We also offer a 401(k) plan with company contribution, profit sharing, tuition assistance and employee referral bonus.