Research Manager Jobs in Pennsylvania
Research Manager jobs in Pennsylvania are consistently active, with demand concentrated in pharmaceutical and life sciences research, academic and clinical research, and policy and social research organizations, from entry-level research associate promotions through senior and director-level appointments. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh anchor most of the hiring, with a growing cluster in the Lehigh Valley, where employers like Merck, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Johnson and Johnson maintain significant research operations. The most in-demand specialties are clinical trial management, health policy research, and market and consumer insights. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 24+ Research Manager jobs
Education
Bachelor's Degree Required
Experience
3 years experience in a related field Required
3 years experience in laboratory animal care/use procedures Required
2 years experience in biological laboratory setting and knowledge of BioSafety Levels Required
General Experience and working knowledge of laboratory animal care husbandry
procedures, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, AAALAC
requirements & Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Preferred
General Experience with the NIH Guidelines for Research involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules Preferred
Licenses
Cert Prof IACUC Administrator Preferred
Education
Bachelor's Degree Required
Experience
3 years experience in a related field Required
3 years experience in laboratory animal care/use procedures Required
2 years experience in biological laboratory setting and knowledge of BioSafety Levels Required
General Experience and working knowledge of laboratory animal care husbandry
procedures, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, AAALAC
requirements & Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Preferred
General Experience with the NIH Guidelines for Research involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules Preferred
Licenses
Cert Prof IACUC Administrator Preferred
See All 24 Research Manager Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Manager JobsResearch Manager Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Manager Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Pennsylvania10
- University of Pittsburgh4
- Penn State University2
- OGC Global1
- Penn Medicine1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research manager jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant research field preferred by most Pennsylvania employers
- Demonstrated experience leading research projects from design through analysis and reporting
- Proficiency with quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistical software such as SPSS or R
- Experience managing cross-functional teams, budgets, and project timelines simultaneously
- Strong written communication skills for producing research reports and presenting findings to stakeholders
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, regulatory compliance, or grant administration in Pennsylvania research environments
Research Manager Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research manager in Pennsylvania?
Most research manager roles in Pennsylvania require at minimum a bachelor's degree, though a master's or doctorate is increasingly expected in clinical, life sciences, and academic settings. There is no state-issued license specifically for research managers in Pennsylvania, but roles in clinical research often call for a Certified Clinical Research Professional credential from the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Candidates typically move up from research coordinator or analyst roles within Pennsylvania universities, health systems, or private research firms.
How much do research managers make in Pennsylvania?
Research managers in Pennsylvania earn a median of about $137,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $59,040 for the lowest 10% to over $312,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research managers in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring research managers in Pennsylvania right now include University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, and Penn State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of major pharmaceutical companies, academic medical centers, and policy research nonprofits means openings appear regularly across both the private and public sectors.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most research manager jobs?
The Pennsylvania cities with the most research manager openings are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and University Park. Philadelphia leads because of its dense cluster of pharmaceutical headquarters, academic medical centers, and health policy organizations, while Pittsburgh's strength in biomedical research and Carnegie Mellon's technology research enterprise supports consistent demand there as well.
Are there remote research manager jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, and more than many management roles, since research managers in policy, market research, and social science fields often work primarily with data and documents rather than on-site facilities. About 50% of research manager openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. Roles involving laboratory oversight or clinical trial site management are more likely to require on-site presence, while data-heavy and policy research positions offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a research manager in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research coordinator or research analyst role, which large Pennsylvania employers like UPMC, Penn Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia regularly hire for without requiring prior management experience. Building a portfolio of completed research projects, obtaining a Certified Clinical Research Associate credential, or completing a fellowship through a Pennsylvania university research office strengthens a candidate's case considerably. Lateral moves from data analyst or project coordinator roles into research teams are also a common stepping stone at Pennsylvania-based consulting firms and nonprofits.
Where can I find and apply to research manager jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to research manager jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them without any intermediary steps.
See All 24 Research Manager Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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