Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Office
Job Description
Position Overview:
The Senior Research Associate drafts project deliverables, interacts with clients, and contributes to strategic thinking under the direction of senior staff. Leads scientific coordination and project management, including scoping, tracking progress, and coordinating team tasks for multiple projects. The Senior Research Associate may also assist in strategic consultation, client insights, and consultative selling.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned):
This position will bear scientific responsibility for the design and implementation of de novo data collection projects (retrospective, prospective, and/or cross-sectional) under oversight of more senior staff.
In particular, the Senior Research Associate will:
- Provide scientific guidance/consultation on scientific methodological and operational considerations of project design and conduct
- Leads or oversees the development of draft scientific project deliverables (e.g., protocols, case report forms (electronic or paper), survey questions, reports) for senior review.
- Engage with project sponsors, physician, and clinical sites
- Assist the responsible scientist with monitoring project budget spend and handling timelines for scientific tasks/deliverables.
- In some client engagements, serve as Principal Investigator, with final responsibilities for project budget, deliverables, and timelines
- Leads or supervises the development of abstracts and manuscripts
- Contribute to the growth of PPD Observational Studies through business development activities, including support of proposal development, participation in the sales cycle, conference attendance, and presentations
- Support other organizational activities as needed (e.g., supervise and/or mentor junior staff; closely collaborate with other project stakeholders such as clinical operations, data management, biostatistics, and data analysts; contribute to development of training materials and process improvements)
- Travel (national and international travel) may be expected
Consulting Expectations:
- Participates in client calls and is expected to be able to address questions posed directly to them about their work
- Contributes to strategic development and implememtation under the direction of senior staff.
Managerial Duties: May possibly mentor or manage more junior staff or practice area interns
Education, Professional Skills & Experience:
- PhD (epidemiology or closely related field) or MSc with 3-5 years of relevant experience
- Experience with de novo data collection (field) projects (non-interventional designs in particular)
- Good understanding of epidemiologic methodology
- Previous experience in consultancy and/or CRO environment highly desirable
- Working knowledge of MS Office software; working knowledge of data analysis software (e.g., SAS, Stata, R) a plus
- Experience with design of peri- or post-approval late phase interventional projects is not required but would be considered a plus
Personal Skills & Competencies:
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and document information effectively in written English, including the ability to produce scientific reports, presentations, emails and other written deliverables that are well-organized, free from errors, and are appropriately adjusted to the characteristics and needs of the audience.
- Strong organizational, time-management, prioritization and decision-making skills necessary to evaluate, plan and accomplish multiple work goals in a timely fashion.
- Able to quickly learn and apply new information, skills and procedures.
- Proactive and positive approach to tasks and projects, as well as resilience when encountering process, project, budget or client changes that are inherent in the consulting environment.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to quickly develop and sustain positive rapport with internal and external contacts in person, over the phone and by email.
- Experience presenting ideas to individuals and groups in a formal presentation setting
- Delivers a positive internal/external client experience; listens and understand the client's needs, and recommends solutions
- Demonstrates sound professional judgment in analyzing, responding to, and resolving enquiries, issues and escalations.
