Research Project Manager C

Research Project Manager C

The Research Project Manager C provides strategic leadership and comprehensive management of complex, multidisciplinary research programs involving internal and external academic, clinical, patient advocacy, disease foundation, and industry collaborators. The position advances research initiatives from development through execution, dissemination, and sustainability.

Working closely with the principal investigator and research partners, the Research Project Manager C leads research planning and implementation, contributes to competitive grant development, oversees research operations and compliance activities, and ensures successful execution of projects aligned with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory requirements. The position serves as a key scientific and operational partner, providing expertise in research strategy, experimental design, data interpretation, project management, resource allocation, and collaboration development.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for complex research programs involving multidisciplinary teams and multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Partner with the principal investigator to define research objectives, develop project strategies, establish timelines, allocate resources, and implement workflows to achieve research goals.
• Manage day-to-day research activities, including project prioritization, workflow coordination, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of research operations.
• Develop and oversee research management systems, standard operating procedures, documentation practices, and data management processes to support efficiency, reproducibility, and compliance.
• Coordinate collaborations with internal and external investigators, clinical partners, research laboratories, service providers, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute scientific expertise to grant proposals, including research strategies, experimental approaches, preliminary data summaries, milestones, budgets, and supporting documentation.
• Support post-award grant management, including progress reporting, compliance documentation, resource tracking, and sponsor requirements.
• Analyze and interpret research data and prepare scientific reports, presentations, manuscripts, and research summaries for diverse audiences.
• Oversee laboratory operations, including personnel coordination, equipment management, procurement, vendor relationships, and infrastructure improvements.
• Ensure compliance with institution, sponsor, and regulatory requirements, including IACUC, IRB, biosafety, and other applicable policies.
• Train, mentor, and provide guidance to research staff, students, and trainees.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, methodologies, funding opportunities, and collaborations to support research innovation and program growth.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in science, engineering, biomedical sciences, management, or a related field and 5-7 years of progressively responsible research project management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex research programs involving multidisciplinary teams and collaborators.

• Experience contributing to grant applications, research proposals, scientific reports, publications, or other scholarly outputs.

• Strong understanding of biomedical research methodologies, experimental design, data analysis, and research operations.

• Ability to independently manage priorities, coordinate multiple projects, solve complex problems, and drive initiatives to completion.

• Experience developing operational procedures, managing research resources, and ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate scientific concepts effectively to diverse audiences. Fluency in multiple languages is a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with investigators, research teams, institutional partners, and external stakeholders.

• Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced scientific training or research experience in molecular biology, cellular biology, neuroscience, metabolism, genetics, or related biomedical fields.

• Experience writing NIH, foundation, or other competitive research funding applications.

• Experience managing animal research programs, laboratory operations, and regulatory compliance activities.

• Experience coordinating multi-institutional collaborations or translational research initiatives.

• Record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations, patents, or other research contributions.

• Experience applying project management principles to complex scientific programs.

• Job Location - City, State

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Department / School

• Perelman School of Medicine

• Pay Range

• $80,891.00 - $112,287.00 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 family—whatever 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