Research Project Manager - Molecular Precision Medicine

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

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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

• Contribute 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

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. 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. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

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.

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