Research Manager

Calfcarevet; North Manchester (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

CalfCare seeks a Research Manager to lead its contract research program on-site, coordinating veterinarians, staff, and facility resources to execute studies per protocol and GCP standards.

You will manage sponsor relationships, design study workflows, and ensure clean, audit-ready data across hutch yards, indoor pens, and laboratory operations. A strong background in livestock research and data management is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Animal Science or related field; 2+ years hands-on animal study experience or Bachelor's with 5+ years in animal research.
• Direct experience running livestock studies including enrollment, treatment administration, and sample collection.
• Working knowledge of GCP (VICH GL9) or similar trial standards and deviation management.
• Experience supervising or coordinating research staff and ensuring accuracy of study records and data.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of multiple contract studies across housing, lab, and cooperator herds.
• Act as on-site sponsor contact and coordinate study initiation, progress updates, and close-out.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, training records, and onboarding materials for staff.
• Ensure data capture, sample handling, and welfare compliance with protocols.

Skills

Data management

Communication

Excel

Education

Master's/PhD in Animal Science or related field

Bachelor's with 5+ years of animal research experience

Tools

Excel

Electronic data capture tools

Job description

CalfCare is a veterinary-led organization and a Heritage Veterinary Partner (HVP)practice dedicated to improving the health and performance of food animal productionsystems, with deep expertise in calf nutrition, health, and management. Through ourContract 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 GoldStandard 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/producersuccess, resulting in safe, healthy, and abundant food supply as God will direct.

Vision

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

Position Overview

The Research Manager leads CalfCare's contract research program on site, owningstudy execution from protocol initiation through final report. This person is the day-to-day point of contact for sponsors, coordinates CalfCare veterinarians, researchassociates, and facility staff, and makes sure every study is executed according toprotocol, 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 trackrecord running experimental animal studies in the field or in a research facility, who canlead a team, manage sponsor relationships, and help grow CalfCare's research division.Study design, statistical analysis, and scientific review are carried out in closecollaboration 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 captureforms.
• Lead the day-to-day execution of multiple concurrent contract studies across thehutch yard, indoor pens, on-site laboratory, and cooperator herds.
• Serve as Investigator or site lead on studies as assigned, ensuring compliancewith protocols and CalfCare animal welfare and biosecurity policies.
• Develop and maintain strict biosecurity protocols to protect the integrity ofisolation zones, sentinel and control groups, and overall study validity.
• Ensure accurate, timely data capture and sample collection, including healthobservations, growth and performance measurements, and biological samples.Identify, document, and promptly communicate protocol deviations, adverseevents, and animal health concerns to veterinarians, other research teammembers, sponsors, and HVP Research and Innovation.

Sponsor and client management

• Act as the primary on-site contact for sponsors and study monitors, includingstudy 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, incollaboration with CalfCare veterinarians and HVP.

Team leadership

• Supervise, schedule, and train research associates and technicians on studyprocedures, 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 studytimelines and animal care.
• Communicate proactively and transparently with CalfCare veterinary staff, facilitypersonnel, and study sponsors regarding study progress and any animal healthconcerns.

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 andsponsor communications, and work with HVP Research and Innovation on formalstatistical 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 andoutside laboratories.

Program Development

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

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Master's degree or PhD in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, RuminantNutrition, or a related field, with at least 2 years of hands-on experience runningexperimental animal studies in a contract research organization, universityresearch farm, or industry-sponsored trial setting; or a Bachelor's degree with atleast 5 years of animal research experience.
• Direct experience executing livestock studies, including enrollment, treatmentadministration, clinical observations, performance measurements, and biologicalsample collection.
• Working knowledge of GCP (VICH GL9) or comparable regulated studystandards, 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-weatherenvironment; 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 beefand dairy calf studies.
• Close collaboration with HVP's network Research and Innovation function onstudy design, statistical analysis, and scientific reporting.
• A direct role in growing CalfCare's research business, with a voice in teamdevelopment, facility capabilities, and new study opportunities.
• A collaborative, mission-driven team culture focused on improving calf health andproduction outcomes industry-wide.
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

CalfCare and HVP offer a full benefits package, including various health insurance planoptions, vision, dental, and life insurance, long and short term disability, critical illnessand accident insurance, and GAP insurance. We also offer Flexible Spending Accountsas well as Health Savings Accounts. A generous paid time off policy allows ouremployees the flexibility they need for work/life balance. We invest in your future byoffering a company sponsored 401k plan with employer match, along with access to afinancial 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/mentaldisability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status,ethnicity, citizenship or immigration status, or any other protected classification, inaccordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. By completing this application,you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistentlydelivering outstanding service to our customers and contributing to the financial successof the organization, its clients, and its employees. Equal access to programs, services,and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring anaccommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact amanagement representative.