Research Project Manager B / C

Research Project Manager

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Research Project Manager B

The Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program is seeking a full-time Project Manager to oversee both NIH-funded investigator-driven and industry-funded clinical trial research. The candidate will be directly involved in strategic planning and policy development to meet the goals of the assigned projects, ensuring objectives are achieved. Responsibilities include overseeing start-up activities, such as developing study documents (protocol, informed consent, CRFs), obtaining single IRB approval, preparing meeting materials and presentations, and designing and maintaining the study's manual of procedures. The Project Manager will also build relationships with internal and external project partners. The position requires managing quality assurance and quality control, including training, monitoring data, maintaining staff certifications, and ensuring adherence to procedures. The Project Manager will collaborate with external partners across the United States and oversee the abstract and manuscript processes in partnership with the Principal Investigator. Additional duties include acting as a liaison between the PI and the study team (Steering Committee, investigators, study staff, consultants, the IRB, industry sponsors and NIH), managing operations, timelines, and working with the PI and grants manager to oversee the grant budget for assigned studies. A high level of independence, attention to detail, familiarity with epidemiological study design and performance, and strong communication skills are essential. This position requires minimal supervision and limited training. In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the Project Manager will take a leadership role in maintaining the research strategy for the well-established program, under the oversight of the Principal Investigator. The Project Manager will support junior faculty members in their research projects and assist with research endeavors across the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program. Responsibilities also include assisting with the development and submission of grant proposals to the NIH and other funders, and leading sub-projects as needed. Will provide supervisory duties, as necessary.

Qualifications Master's Degree and 3-5 years of clinical research experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Experience in clinical research and managing epidemiologic studies is preferred, along with previous experience drafting protocols, consent forms, and related SOPs. Strong problem-solving, communication, and writing skills are required, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks. The candidate must be capable of working both independently and as part of a team, with effective time management and mature judgment. Knowledge of IRB and human research protection regulations is essential. Will provide supervisory duties, as necessary. This position is contingent upon funding.

Research Project Manager C

In addition to the above responsibilities, the Research Project Manager C will provide senior-level leadership across the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program's expanding portfolio of NIH-funded and industry-sponsored research. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, this role will support program-wide strategy, oversee complex multi-site studies, and lead high-level regulatory and operational efforts. The Project Manager C will serve as the primary liaison to internal teams, external collaborators, federal agencies, and industry sponsors. They will supervise and mentor project staff, including Project Managers, Clinical Research Coordinators, Research Assistants, and junior faculty, while standardizing training and quality practices across the team. The role also involves supporting junior investigators in developing and executing their research projects. This individual will lead the preparation and submission of large-scale grantsincluding multi-PI and center-level applicationsand will manage budgets across active studies in collaboration with grants management. They will also oversee dissemination activities such as manuscript coordination and abstract submissions.

In the absence of the Principal Investigator, the Project Manager C may assume delegated authority to make operational and strategic decisions. This role requires a high level of independence, strong leadership skills, and expertise in clinical research operations, with a preference for experience in clinical trial design, epidemiology, and federally funded research.

Qualifications Master's Degree and 5-7 years of clinical research experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Extensive experience in clinical research is required, including the independent management of complex, multi-site epidemiologic or clinical trials. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leading research operations, developing protocols and regulatory documents, and ensuring compliance with institutional and federal guidelines. Demonstrated expertise in drafting grant applications, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, and supervising research staff is essential. Strong leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills are required, as well as the ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines across multiple projects. The candidate must work well independently with minimal oversight, exercise sound judgment, and bring strategic insight to program development and study design. Familiarity with IRB processes, NIH and industry sponsor requirements, and human subjects protection regulations is essential. This is a senior-level position with program-wide impact, including responsibilities for staff mentorship, cross-study coordination, and high-level problem-solving. Will provide supervisory duties, as necessary. This position is contingent upon funding.

Job Location - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School - Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range - $66,000.00 - $106,940.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement : The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements : Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits :

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement : Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work : Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with familywhatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance : In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development : Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources : As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn