Senior Researcher Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
Senior Researcher jobs in Philadelphia draw from the city's dense concentration of academic medical centers, pharmaceutical firms, and policy institutions, with openings clustered in University City, Center City, and the Navy Yard. Employers actively hiring include University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health, and Temple University Health System. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Location: Remote
Who we are?
Optimapharm is a mid-sized, global Contract Research Organisation (CRO) turning science into hope through agile, patient-focused clinical development. We specialise in Phase I–IV clinical studies, delivering Full-Service and Functional Service Provision (FSP) solutions that help sponsors move faster and execute with confidence.
With operations in 40+ countries and 2x the patient reach of the average mid-sized CRO, we enable accelerated regulatory pathways, faster study start-up, and access to diverse patient populations worldwide. At Optimapharm, you’ll contribute to meaningful clinical research while growing your career in a dynamic, people‑focused, global environment.
As our US Clinical Operations team continues to grow, we're looking for a Senior CRA who is committed to clinical excellence, passionate about mentoring others, and driven by the opportunity to help bring innovative treatments to patients faster.
At Optimapharm, you'll work on diverse and challenging studies, collaborate with experienced professionals around the world, and play a critical role in shaping the success of clinical trials - all within a culture that supports continuous growth and recognizes expertise.
What do we offer?
- Working in a successful company that’s growing and developing every day
- Being part of a clinical research team that transforms science into hope for patients
- International projects and professional growth
- Company that supports life balance
- Company with healthy culture
- Working with a highly experienced team of clinical research professionals
- Competitive salary
- Competitive PTO entitlement
- Health insurance, including vision and dental plans, to meet your and your family's needs
- Comprehensive pension plan to maximize savings and prepare confidently for the future
- Employee engagement programs
- Well-being initiatives
- Training and development program
- Fast-paced career path progression
Who are we looking for?
Qualifications and Experience
- University degree, preferably in medical or life sciences; nursing education or other relevant healthcare college degree
- At least 3-5 years of independent clinical trial monitoring experience in oncology
- High level of knowledge of ICH GCP Guidelines, knowledge of regulatory requirements and a strong interest in clinical research
- Computer proficiency is mandatory
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Very good interpersonal and negotiation skills
- Ability to work independently, pro-active
- Affinity to work effectively and efficiently in a matrix environment
- A current, valid driver’s license
Your responsibilities
- Perform routine site visits independently, including pre-study, initiation, interim monitoring and closeout visits
- Manage assigned sites by regular contact with site personnel to ensure site compliance, adequate enrolment and understanding of study requirements
- Independently perform CRF review; query generation and resolution against established data review guidelines or data management systems as applicable
- Identifying and escalating potential risks and identifying retraining opportunities for site personnel
- Preparation of corrective and preventive (CAPA) plans for issues identified during monitoring activities and pro-active follow of each, individual CAPA until timely resolution
- Preparation of documents required for EC submissions and notifications, translation of study-related documents (where applicable), and other tasks as instructed by the supervisor
- Independently negotiate study budgets with potential investigators/institutions and assist with the execution of site contracts as applicable
- Administration of site payments in accordance with relevant project instructions
By joining our fast-growing and prosperous team, you will have an excellent opportunity for further personal growth and career development.
If you would be interested in joining the Optimapharm team, please send your CV and note that only shortlisted candidates who meet the requirements will be contacted for the further selection process.
Compensation is competitive and final offers will reflect each candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications.
Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Optimapharm (Talent Acquisition Team, Hiring Managers or any other OPT employee) by recruitment agencies will not be considered for this role. Optimapharm follows a direct sourcing strategy and collaborates exclusively with selected recruitment partners when external support is required.
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Agriculture & Farming
Senior Researcher Jobs in Philadelphia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior researcher job in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia's strongest hiring comes from its academic medical centers, university-affiliated research institutes, life sciences companies, and public policy organizations. University City is the densest cluster, with additional demand in Center City and the Navy Yard innovation campus. Candidates with a graduate degree, peer-reviewed publications, or hands-on laboratory or policy research experience stand out. Familiarity with federal grant processes gives an edge at the city's many NIH- and NSF-funded institutions.
Which companies hire senior researchers in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia senior researcher roles are posted by University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health, and Temple University Health System and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The employer mix reflects Philadelphia's strength in health systems, pharmaceutical research, higher education, and public-interest think tanks.
Are there remote senior researcher jobs in Philadelphia?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the research type: desk-based, policy, and data-intensive roles carry real remote flexibility, while laboratory and clinical research positions almost always require on-site presence. About 50% of senior researcher openings tied to Philadelphia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with the bulk of those coming from policy institutes and quantitative research teams rather than bench science employers.
How can I get a senior researcher job in Philadelphia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Philadelphia is through a research coordinator or research associate role at one of the city's academic health systems or university research centers, which regularly recruit candidates with a bachelor's or early-stage graduate degree. Philadelphia's large network of federally funded health research programs, public policy organizations, and clinical trial sites also creates openings for research assistants who can grow into senior roles. Building a record of data collection, analysis, or co-authored work is the clearest signal for local hiring managers.
Which industries hire the most senior researchers in Philadelphia?
Most senior researcher openings in Philadelphia sit in Agriculture & Farming, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Philadelphia's concentration of world-ranked health systems, major pharmaceutical and biotech campuses, and federally funded policy research institutions makes those sectors the consistent engine of local demand.
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