Research Manager

Nebraska Vet Services; North Manchester (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Career development opportunities

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

CalfCare in North Manchester, Indiana, seeks a Research Manager to lead on-site contract studies for beef and dairy calves. You will coordinate veterinarians, staff, and facilities, ensuring protocol adherence and audit-ready data.

The role is hands-on, with an emphasis on study execution, data quality, and sponsor communication. You will collaborate with HVP's Research and Innovation, manage timelines and budgets, and help grow CalfCare's contract research program while maintaining high welfare

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, or related field with 2+ years hands-on experience, or Bachelor's with 5+ years.
• Direct experience with livestock studies, enrollment, treatment, observations, and sample collection.
• GCP knowledge (VICH GL9) or regulated study standards; protocol compliance and deviation management.
• Experience supervising research staff; strong data management and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead study conduct from protocol initiation to final report for beef and dairy calf studies.
• Coordinate on-site veterinarians, research staff, and facility operations; ensure protocol adherence.
• Develop and maintain biosecurity and study SOPs; manage data capture and sample handling.
• Act as sponsor liaison, provide progress updates, and manage study timelines and budgets.
• Oversee lab workflows, sample storage, and coordination with labs for testing and reporting.
• Identify new contract research opportunities and contribute to study design and reporting.

Skills

GCP familiarity

Data management

Team leadership

Communication

Study coordination

Biosecurity procedures

Excel proficiency

Travel readiness

Education

Master's or PhD in Animal Science

2+ years hands-on research or 5+ years if Bachelor's

Tools

Excel

Electronic data capture

Job description

CLINIC: CalfCare

COMPANY OVERVIEW

CalfCare is a veterinary-led organization and a Heritage Veterinary Partner (HVP) practice dedicated to improving the health and performance of food animal production systems, with deep expertise in calf nutrition, health, and management. Through our Contract Research division, we partner with animal health, nutrition, and pharmaceutical companies to design and execute rigorous studies on commercial beef and dairy calf operations.

The North Manchester, Indiana facility features a dedicated on-site laboratory, a Gold Standard hutch yard with seven biosecure zones and 200+ hutches, indoor pen housing for production-scale studies, and a network of commercial cooperator herds. As part of HVP's national network of mixed and large-animal practices, CalfCare's research team works alongside HVP's network-level Research and Innovation function.

Mission: Caring for calves and the people who raise them through faith, innovation, experience and collaboration to optimize cattle performance and farmer/producer success, resulting in safe, healthy, and abundant food supply as God will direct.

Vision: CalfCare™, through lifelong learning and innovation, will lead and “moo”ve the cattle industry by being the premier source of guidance, service, and products. We will remain committed to clients and their success.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Research Manager leads CalfCare's contract research program on site, owning study execution from protocol initiation through final report. This person is the day-to-day point of contact for sponsors, coordinates CalfCare veterinarians, research associates, and facility staff, and makes sure every study is executed according to protocol, to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards, and with clean, organized, audit-ready data.

The role is hands-on and execution-focused. It suits someone with a proven track record running experimental animal studies in the field or in a research facility, who can lead a team, manage sponsor relationships, and help grow CalfCare's research division. Study design, statistical analysis, and scientific review are carried out in close collaboration with HVP's network Research and Innovation function.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Study conduct and execution

• Assist in the development, review, and implementation of research protocols for contract studies involving beef and dairy calves.
• Translate approved protocols into study-specific operating plans: schedules, staffing, animal enrollment, treatment administration, sampling, and data capture forms.
• Lead the day-to-day execution of multiple concurrent contract studies across the hutch yard, indoor pens, on-site laboratory, and cooperator herds.
• Serve as Investigator or site lead on studies as assigned, ensuring compliance with protocols and CalfCare animal welfare and biosecurity policies.
• Develop and maintain strict biosecurity protocols to protect the integrity of isolation zones, sentinel and control groups, and overall study validity.
• Ensure accurate, timely data capture and sample collection, including health observations, growth and performance measurements, and biological samples. Identify, document, and promptly communicate protocol deviations, adverse events, and animal health concerns to veterinarians, other research team members, sponsors, and HVP Research and Innovation.

Sponsor and client management

• Act as the primary on-site contact for sponsors and study monitors, including study initiation meetings, progress updates, monitoring visits, and close-out.
• Coordinate with commercial cooperator operations on study logistics, enrollment, and data collection.
• Contribute to scoping, timelines, and budgets for new study proposals, in collaboration with CalfCare veterinarians and HVP.

Team leadership

• Supervise, schedule, and train research associates and technicians on study procedures, sample handling, and data recording.
• Build and maintain study SOPs, training records, and onboarding materials.
• Coordinate workload across studies and with facility staff to protect study timelines and animal care.
• Communicate proactively and transparently with CalfCare veterinary staff, facility personnel, and study sponsors regarding study progress and any animal health concerns.

Data quality and records

• Own data collection quality, including source documentation, data entry, verification, and query resolution, so datasets are complete, traceable, and audit-ready.
• Prepare descriptive summaries and interim updates for study reports and sponsor communications, and work with HVP Research and Innovation on formal statistical analysis and final study reports.
• Maintain study master files, chain-of-custody records, and sample inventories.

Laboratory and sample coordination

• Oversee on-site laboratory workflows and sample storage.
• Coordinate sample shipment, testing, and result reporting with on-site and outside laboratories.

Program development

• Help identify new contract research and grant opportunities, and represent CalfCare research at sponsor meetings and industry events.
• Recommend improvements to facility capabilities, processes, and tools that strengthen CalfCare's position as a contract research site.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Master's degree or PhD in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Ruminant Nutrition, or a related field, with at least 2 years of hands-on experience running experimental animal studies in a contract research organization, university research farm, or industry-sponsored trial setting; or a Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of animal research experience.
• Direct experience executing livestock studies, including enrollment, treatment administration, clinical observations, performance measurements, and biological sample collection.
• Working knowledge of GCP (VICH GL9) or comparable regulated study standards, including protocol compliance and deviation management.
• Experience supervising or coordinating research staff, technicians, or students.
• Strong data management skills, including study records, source documentation, and data verification.
• Proficiency with Excel and electronic data capture tools.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication with sponsors, veterinarians, and producers.
• Comfortable with physical work, animal handling, and an outdoor, all-weather environment; able to work flexible schedules, including rotating weekends, evenings, and holidays as studies require.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to cooperator herds.

Preferred

• Familiarity with calf health and calf production systems.

WHAT CALFCARE &HVP OFFER

• The opportunity to lead the contract research program at a standout, purpose-built facility recognized for biosecurity and study integrity.
• Ownership of study execution across a diverse portfolio of sponsor-driven beef and dairy calf studies.
• Close collaboration with HVP's network Research and Innovation function on study design, statistical analysis, and scientific reporting.
• A direct role in growing CalfCare's research business, with a voice in team development, facility capabilities, and new study opportunities.
• A collaborative, mission-driven team culture focused on improving calf health and production outcomes industry-wide.
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

BENEFITS

CalfCare and HVP offer a full benefits package, including various health insurance plan options, vision, dental, and life insurance, long and short term disability, critical illness and accident insurance, and GAP insurance. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts as well as Health Savings Accounts. A generous paid time off policy allows our employees the flexibility they need for work/life balance. We invest in your future by offering a company sponsored 401k plan with employer match, along with access to a financial planner!

Along with the above, other perks include the option for career advancement, professional development, and continuing education.

STATEMENT

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, citizenship or immigration status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. By completing this application, you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding service to our customers and contributing to the financial success of the organization, its clients, and its employees. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring an accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact a management representative.