Senior Clinical Research Associate

Pharmaceutical Company; Groton (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Pharmaceutical Company seeks an experienced Research Associate IV / Scientist to support external research and sourcing across a drug discovery portfolio. The role coordinates in vivo PK/PD studies with CRO partners and internal project teams.

You will collaborate with external partners to define study objectives, timelines, and deliverables, review CRO proposals, and ensure studies meet quality standards and workflows. Strong scientific judgment and excellent communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of industry experience OR
• Master's degree with 5+ years of industry experience OR
• PhD with 1–3+ years of industry experience.
• Experience in preclinical research, pharmacology, or drug discovery.
• Hands-on or project-level experience supporting in vivo PK/PD studies.
• Experience working with CROs or academia-industry collaborations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate externally conducted in vivo PK, PD, and PK/PD studies with CRO partners.
• Collaborate with internal scientists and external partners to define study objectives and timelines.
• Participate in discussions on dose selection, sampling strategies, and bioanalytical requirements.
• Review CRO proposals, protocols, study reports, data packages, and documentation.
• Ensure external activities align with workflows, SOPs, and timelines.
• Coordinate communication across project teams and external organizations.
• Identify risks and propose practical solutions.
• Manage multiple research programs with scientific rigor and accountability.
• Track requests, timelines, deliverables and KPIs to ensure on-time completion.

Skills

In vivo PK/PD experience

CRO coordination

Study design

Data interpretation

Scientific communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Master's degree in a relevant field

PhD in a related field

Job description

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Drug Discovery

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Research Associate IV / Scientist to support external research and sourcing activities across a drug discovery portfolio. The scientist will coordinate externally conducted in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and PK/PD studies, working closely with internal project teams, subject matter experts, and external Contract Research Organizations (CROs).

This role requires strong scientific judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders in a highly matrixed environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate externally conducted in vivo PK, PD, and PK/PD studies with CRO partners.
• Collaborate with internal scientists and external research partners to define study objectives, approaches, timelines, and deliverables.
• Participate in scientific discussions involving:
• Dose selection
• Sampling strategies
• Bioanalytical requirements
• Data interpretation
• Review and provide input on CRO proposals, protocols, study reports, data packages, and scientific documentation.
• Ensure external research activities align with established workflows, SOPs, study requirements, timelines, and quality expectations.
• Coordinate communication across project teams, subject matter experts, and external research organizations.
• Identify scientific, operational, quality, and timeline risks and recommend practical solutions.
• Manage multiple research programs and priorities while maintaining scientific rigor and accountability.
• Track requests, workflows, logistics, timelines, deliverables, and KPIs to ensure timely project completion.
• Maintain accurate documentation and communicate project status, risks, and potential issues to stakeholders.
• Support external research and sourcing activities as priorities evolve.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline with 10+ years of industry experience, OR
• Master's degree with 5+ years of industry experience, OR
• PhD with 1–3+ years of industry experience.
• Industry experience in preclinical research, pharmacology, drug discovery, or a related scientific field.
• Hands-on or project-level experience supporting in vivo PK, PD, and/or PK/PD studies.
• Experience working with CROs, external research organizations, or academia-industry collaborations.
• Strong understanding of preclinical research and drug discovery workflows.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional scientific teams and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, and prioritize multiple assignments in a matrixed environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with small molecules, peptides, and/or large molecules.
• Experience with reagent provision and/or in vitro biology workflows.
• Experience supporting external research sourcing or vendor management activities.
• Experience with study design, dose selection, sampling strategies, and bioanalytical planning.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence without direct authority.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a preclinical scientist or pharmacologist with strong in vivo PK/PD experience who has worked directly with CROs or external research partners. The candidate should be scientifically credible enough to evaluate study proposals and data while also being strong in project coordination, stakeholder management, and execution.