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 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Position Summary
The Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at Penn State College of Medicine is hiring a Clinical Trials Navigator.
The Clinical Trials Navigator serves as a centralized resource for faculty investigators and clinical research teams, providing expert guidance, consultation and navigation across the clinical research landscape . The Navigator helps investigators and research teams identify and access appropriate institutional resources, understand clinical research processes and requirements, and efficiently move studies from concept to implementation.
Working collaboratively with the CTSI, Clinical Trials Office (CTO) , and regulatory and compliance offices, the Clinical Trials Navigator serves as a trusted point of contact and connector for investigators navigating complex clinical research processes.
Essential Functions
Clinical Research Consultation and Navigation
Conduct consultations to understand investigator needs, identify barriers and determine appropriate next steps
Guide investigators to the appropriate institutional offices, programs and services
Advise on study feasibility, study initiation pathways and IND/IDE requirements
Serve as a resource on clinical research budgets, costs, clinical trial management systems and electronic medical record tools
Study Start-Up and Activation Support
Assist investigators and research teams in identifying requirements for study initiation and activation
Support research teams in feasibility assessment of sponsored clinical trials, including evaluation of institutional capabilities, operational requirements, resource needs, and potential barriers to study implementation
Support navigation of IRB, regulatory, contracting, budgeting, pharmacy, laboratory, imaging, clinical operations, data and other ancillary requirements
Coordinate and monitor referrals to institutional offices and service providers to ensure timely support and issue resolution
Education and Training
Develop standardized navigation tools, workflows, FAQs and other resources for investigators and research staff
Identify areas of training need and programs to connect research teams with appropriate educational resources and develop solutions and training materials – in collaboration with iSMART program - to address unmet needs.
Research Partnerships & Network Engagement
Develop and maintain knowledge of institutional clinical research resources, policies, processes and points of contact
Build relationships across clinical, research and administrative units to facilitate collaboration
Serve as the CTSI’s point of contact for the NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Trial Innovation Network
Assist with the coordination and management of Site-Sponsor/CRO relationships, including facilitating communication, addressing issues, and connecting sponsors and CROs with appropriate institutional resources and contacts
Identify , triage, and direct sponsored research opportunities to appropriate faculty investigators and…