Associate Project Manager, Preclinical Research - Carlsbad, California, United States

Position: Associate Project Manager, Preclinical Research (Ophthalmology) · Salary Range: $70k - $95k · Location: Carlsbad, CA (On-site) · About Pharmaron · Pharmaron is a global CRO (Contract Research Organization) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life ...

Job description

Position: Associate Project Manager, Preclinical Research (Ophthalmology)

Salary Range: $70k - $95k

Location: Carlsbad, CA (On-site)

About Pharmaron

Pharmaron is a global CRO (Contract Research Organization) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 21,000 employees worldwide across 23 locations in the US, UK and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services.

We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,000 global customers. To learn more, visit

About the Role

The Associate Project Manager will support complex preclinical ophthalmology programs and serve as a key liaison between clients, scientific teams, and operational leadership.

This role combines scientific understanding, regulatory awareness, and client-facing communication to ensure the successful execution of ocular and related therapeutic studies. The ideal candidate will support preclinical programs focused on ophthalmology, with exposure to CNS, oncology, or cell and gene therapy (CGT) applications. Depending on experience, the position may be filled at the Associate or Project Manager level.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a strong understanding of Pharmaron's ocular testing workflows, including preclinical safety, pharmacology, and biocompatibility assessments.
• Collaborate with scientific teams to align study design, timelines, and deliverables with client expectations.
• Support project execution from initiation through final reporting, ensuring adherence to scope, timeline, and budget.
• Draft detailed study proposals, scopes of work, and budgets in collaboration with scientific leadership and Business Development teams.
• Ensure proposals align with departmental capabilities and regulatory standards.
• Support bid defense preparation and client-facing scientific discussions as needed.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned studies, providing regular updates and responding to client inquiries.
• Facilitate effective communication between internal scientific teams and external sponsors.
• Maintain high-quality documentation ensuring project traceability, compliance, and transparency.

What We're Looking For

• Master's degree preferred in Biology, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Pharmacology, or a related life sciences discipline.
• Bachelor's degree with strong relevant experience will be considered.
• 1+ years of experience in a preclinical CRO, biotech, or pharmaceutical environment.
• Hands-on experience supporting in vivo animal research studies is required.
• Prior experience in ophthalmology, ocular research, neuroscience, or CGT programs strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting study proposals, budgets, or client-facing scientific interactions is a plus.

Why Pharmaron?

Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products. With over 21,000 employees and operations in the U.S., the U.K. and China. Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.

Collaborative Culture: You will thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners, and collaborators.

Benefits: As part of our commitment to your well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Insurance including Medical, Dental & Vision with significant employer contributions
• Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account
• Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 100% Employer-paid Employee Life and AD&D Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401k plan with generous employer match
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program

How to Apply:

Ready to seize this incredible opportunity? Join us at Pharmaron and be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and excellence in biopharmaceutical research and development. Apply online today

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, Pharmaron values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the world of life sciences.

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