Start-up Specialist, Phase I

Fortrea; Durham (NC); Remote; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortrea is seeking a Study Start Up Specialist with 2+ years of start-up experience based in the U.S. The role serves as the regulatory lead for site activation and maintenance, coordinating documents for EC/IRB approvals and sponsor reviews. You will mentor teammates, navigate ICH/GCP standards, and collaborate with project teams to maintain timelines and quality across multiple countries. The position offers remote work with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of start-up experience or regulatory start-up work in clinical research.
• Strong working knowledge of ICH guidelines and IRB/IEC regulations.
• Experience coordinating regulatory submissions and site activation processes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for investigative sites during start-up and maintenance.
• Coordinate collection and organization of essential documents for regulatory approvals.
• Prepare and file regulatory submissions (INDs/CTAs) and liaise with authorities.
• Ensure start-up activities comply with ICH/GCP, SOPs, and sponsor expectations.
• Mentor junior team members on start-up processes.
• Monitor timelines and flag risks to project management.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Clinical research

IRB/IEC processes

ICH guidelines

Education

Life science degree

Tools

Regulatory submissions software

Job description

Our CPS team is currently seeking a Study Start Up Specialist with 2+ years of start-up experience residing with the U.S.

Job Overview:

Primary contact with investigative site(s) during site start-up activities and maintenance with responsibility for collection of the required investigator and essential documents for a study, to ensure EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authority and any other local applications are made within the timelines agreed with project management and Site Readiness team and that documentation meets the specifications required by applicable regulations and sponsor. Proactively interacts with EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authorities to provide guidance regarding requirements. Maintain awareness of current regulatory standards related to submissions. Serve as local expert in project start-up activities for a particular country or region. Act as a 'knowledge resource' to mentor and train new hires and less-experienced department colleagues if suitable.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Maintain awareness of regulatory legislation, guidance, and practice in the assigned countries.
• Coordinate, collect and organize data and information required by EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authority including but not limited to the preparation of study documentation such as the country application form and cover letter for sponsor review as applicable.
• Compile and prepare routine submission filed to IRB/IEC/Third body/Regulatory Authorities (e.g., INDs/CTAs) and liaise with them as applicable regarding submission/approval.
• Liaise with internal and external vendors in the generation of Regulatory Authority submissions (as applicable).
• Perform a review of final submission documents as applicable.
• Ensure that all assigned start-up and maintenance activities are on track, in accordance with client expectations and budget and in compliance with applicable laws and guidelines, regulatory requirements, ICH/GCP, SOPs and quality standards
• Prevent and escal ate study issues appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management depending upon country and situational requirements with proper supervision [if applicable].
• Serve as primary contact for investigative sites and ensure documents required are collected in a timely manner.
• Collect and track all the necessary documents required and perform a quality review, formatting, and compilation of the final documents for effective and compliant site activation and maintenance without supervision.
• Ensure high quality documents are filed and systems are updated on an ongoing and timely basis, making Fortrea ready for an audit at any time.
• Participate in team and project meetings as applicable.
• When needed, assist in the strategy definition for Site Activation and provide accurate projections and timelines to study teams.
• Review and customize country and site-specific patient informed consent forms for compliance with local requirements and protocol. Proactively resolve informed consent issues and other potential difficulties with study sites.
• May support the negotiation of site contracts and budgets with sites, if applicable and track progress of contract and budget milestones/developments, intervening and escalating as appropriate.
• Proactively identifying and escalating to Submission Leads any risk to meeting deliverables.
• Notify the Submissions Lead of hours identified as Out-of-Scope or overburn.
• Performs all other duties as needed or assigned.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• University/College degree (life science preferred), or certification in a related allied health profession from an appropriate accredited institution (e.g., nursing certification, medical or laboratory technology)
• 2 years' work experience in clinical research, including a strong working knowledge of the ICH guidelines and RA, IRB/IEC regulations.
• Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.
• In lieu of the above requirement, candidates with a High School Diploma or equivalent AND a minimum of 2 years' work experience in clinical research, including a strong working knowledge of the ICH guidelines and RA, IRB/IEC regulations will be considered.

Experience (Minimum Required):

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in clinical development or start-up/ regulatory process.
• Working knowledge of ICH, RA, IRB/IEC, and other applicable regulations/guidelines; familiarity with investigator start-up documents and contract/budgets negotiation process; previous interaction with operational project teams and investigative sites.
• Demonstrated understanding of research protocol requirements and proven ability to communicate them/educate others about them.

The important thing for us is you are comfortable working in an environment that is:

• Fast paced: where no deviations from the study protocol are allowed, and not meeting a timeline for even few minutes will create a quality issue.
• Changing priorities constantly asking you to prioritize and adapt on the spot.
• Teamwork and people skills are essential for the study to run smoothly.
• Technology based. We collect our data directly into an electronic environment.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Frequent travel to clients/ site locations with occasional travel both domestic and international.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods and operate a vehicle safely.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
• Regular and consistent attendance.
• Varied hours may be required.
• Target Pay Range: $50-70k

#LI - Remote

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis

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