Research Project Manager - Molecular Precision Medicine / Medicine

The Pennsylvania State University; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Robust retirement plans

Generous paid time off

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Research Project Manager in the Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine / Medicine to lead GI, microbiome, metabolomics, and translational research portfolios. You will provide high-level scientific and operational leadership across basic, clinical, and translational studies, ensuring regulatory compliance and data integrity.

You will oversee study coordination, protocol development, regulatory documentation, SOP implementation, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; no prior work experience required, or relevant experience accepted in lieu of education.
• Strong background in coordinating clinical/translational research and regulatory oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day GI-focused basic and translational research coordination.
• Support protocol development and study design across human/animal projects.
• Coordinate biospecimen workflows and data integration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Oversee regulatory submissions and ensure compliance with ICH-GCP and sponsor requirements.
• Develop SOPs and train personnel on regulatory documentation.
• Mentor laboratory staff and ensure audit-ready study documentation.
• Coordinate startup activities, procurement, and study documentation.
• Support NIH and foundation grant submissions and progress reports.

Skills

Project leadership

Study coordination

Regulatory documentation

Data integrity

Cross-functional teamwork

Scientific writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

PhD in biomedical sciences (preferred)

Tools

IRB/IACUC/IBC submissions

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Molecular and Precision Medicine / Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine seeks a Research Project Manager to support a dynamic portfolio of gastrointestinal (GI), microbiome, metabolomics, and translational research programs. This position will provide high-level scientific and operational leadership across basic, clinical, and translational studies, ensuring regulatory compliance, data integrity, and efficient execution of multi-investigator projects. The successful candidate will oversee research coordination, protocol development, regulatory documentation, SOP implementation, and cross-functional team management. This role serves as a central operational leader to ensure studies remain audit-ready, scientifically rigorous, and aligned with sponsor and institutional requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Project Leadership & Study Coordination

• Lead day-to-day coordination of GI-focused basic and translational research studies.
• Support protocol development, study design refinement, and implementation across human and animal research projects.
• Coordinate biospecimen collection, processing workflows, and data integration in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Conduct quality control review of complex datasets (e.g., microbiome, metabolomics, molecular analyses) to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

• Oversee IRB, IACUC, IBC submissions, protocol modifications, continuing reviews, and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure compliance with ICH-GCP, institutional policies, and sponsor requirements.
• Develop and maintain audit-ready documentation systems.
• Author and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory and study operations.
• Train research personnel on protocol adherence, regulatory documentation standards, and best practices.

Research Operations & Laboratory Management

• Build and maintain dependable systems for efficient scheduling, purchasing, onboarding, and study documentation.
• Oversee procurement processes and inventory management.
• Coordinate laboratory startup activities, workflow optimization, and operational improvements.
• Support integration of clinical and laboratory research activities.

Grant & Scientific Writing

• Support data and coordinate research teams to contribute to NIH and foundation grant submissions.
• Assist with assembling progress reports, regulatory documents, and supporting materials.
• Prepare data summaries, figures, and manuscript components for peer-reviewed publication.

Communication & Team Leadership

• Serve as liaison between faculty investigators, research staff, data managers, and collaborators.
• Facilitate research meetings and track project milestones and deliverables.
• Provide mentorship and training to laboratory personnel and research staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in biomedical sciences, pathobiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or managing clinical and translational research programs.
• Experience with protocol development, regulatory documentation, and compliance oversight.
• Strong scientific writing and data analysis skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced research environment.
• Experience in gastrointestinal research, microbiome science, metabolomics, toxicology, or related biomedical fields.
• Experience maintaining ICH-GCP-aligned documentation systems.
• Prior experience in laboratory startup or operational system development.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience coordinating animal and human subject research.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree No prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education. Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $59,580.00 - $86,400.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

OUR VALUES

Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.