Research Clinical Director-Psychiatric Pharm Clinical Research

Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists Inc•Orange, CA

1d•$185,000 - $225,000•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) is seeking an experienced and dedicated research professional to join our growing team. We are a community-focused, outpatient mental health group serving diverse and underserved populations. Combining the rigor of academic research with direct community impact, we strive to advance the most evidence-based and specialized treatments in psychiatric care—including for Medicaid and Medicare populations. In addition to subspecialized psychiatry services, such as interventional psychiatry, substance use, and child and adolescent psychiatry, we have a robust research division driving cutting-edge innovations in clinical treatments and pharmacologic development. This is an excellent opportunity for a Principal Investigator who values collaborative research, scientific integrity, and an academically enriching environment. The Principal Investigator will serve as a senior research investigator within a growing portfolio of phase II-IV pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical studies. This individual will play a central leadership role across studies spanning multiple psychiatric indications, contributing to the design, execution, and participant oversight of sponsor-initiated trials. The position includes responsibilities as Principal Investigator on active studies, with accountability for regulatory compliance, protocol adherence, and patient safety. This role is well suited for a researcher seeking to lead high-impact psychiatric trials in a dynamic outpatient research setting. An excellent candidate will have 1) scientific credibility, 2) operational excellence in enrollment, retention, data quality, and regulatory compliance, and 3) effectiveness in communication, responsiveness, and consistent delivery across studies.

Requirements

Doctorate in a related field (e.g., PhD, PsyD, DSc, or other doctorate in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Chemistry, or Psychopharmacology or related field) from an accredited program
No disciplinary action or license restriction
Minimum 2 years of clinical research experience, including experience as a PI or subPI on pharmaceutical-sponsored trials
Demonstrated knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and IRB/ethics submission processes

Nice To Haves

Current licensure to clinical practice (if direct participant assessments or clinical evaluations are required)

Responsibilities

Serve as the site’s primary clinical authority and accountable investigator for assigned pharmaceutical-sponsored psychiatric trials, with final responsibility for participant safety and protocol integrity
Provide clinical oversight and sign-off on participant eligibility, informed consent, and any protocol deviations or safety events across assigned studies.
Liaison research operations director to direct and supervise the study team — including coordinators, sub-investigators, and raters — ensuring protocol compliance and high-quality data across assigned studies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsors, CROs, and regulatory agencies; represent the site in investigator meetings, site initiation visits, and monitoring interactions.
Exercise clinical judgment on adverse events, serious adverse events (SAEs), and participant discontinuations in coordination with the sponsor medical monitor.
Maintain accurate and complete investigator records and ensure assigned studies operate in full compliance with ICH-GCP, FDA, and IRB requirements.