Clinical Research-Lead Scientist

Role & responsibilities

Doctorate with a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in Clinical Research, Clinical Development, or Translational Research. Postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Pharmacology, Public Health, Regulatory Affairs, or related disciplines will be preferred.

Role Overview

The Head Clinical Research will provide strategic leadership, scientific direction, and operational oversight for the Institute’s clinical research programs. The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening and advancing high-quality, ethical, and impactful clinical research initiatives aligned with organizational objectives and global healthcare priorities.

The role will play a critical part in driving innovative research programs focused on emerging healthcare challenges, including Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Anti-Infective therapeutics. The incumbent will contribute towards the development of evidence-based strategies, clinical interventions, and translational research aimed at combating drug-resistant infections and improving patient outcomes through responsible antimicrobial research practices.

The position requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, regulatory agencies, CROs, academic institutions, healthcare professionals, and industry partners to ensure successful execution of research projects while maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity, compliance, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all clinical research activities, ensuring alignment with organizational vision and research priorities.
• Plan, execute, and monitor clinical trials and research projects while ensuring timely delivery within approved budgets and regulatory frameworks.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative clinical research programs, particularly in Anti-Infective therapies, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and emerging therapeutic areas.
• Evaluate clinical trial designs, research methodologies, and product development strategies to ensure scientific validity and successful outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable national and international regulatory requirements, GCP guidelines, ethical standards, and institutional policies.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), research governance frameworks, and quality assurance systems.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and research integrity across the organization.
• Build and mentor high-performing interdisciplinary research teams, encouraging professional development and collaborative research initiatives.
• Collaborate with VMRC teams, investigators, CROs, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and industry stakeholders for successful project execution.
• Identify and establish strategic collaborations, partnerships, and externally funded research opportunities at national and international levels.
• Drive initiatives to enhance research infrastructure, publication quality, external funding, commercialization opportunities, and institutional visibility.
• Present research strategies, progress updates, and operational reports to executive leadership and governing bodies.
• Represent the organization at scientific forums, regulatory meetings, research platforms, and professional committees as delegated.
• Oversee research quality, data integrity, patient safety, pharmacovigilance, and ethical conduct throughout all research activities.
• Support translational research initiatives involving biological specimens, clinical samples, and biomarker-driven studies.
• Contribute towards achieving organizational KPIs including research revenue, scientific publications, stakeholder satisfaction, and research impact.
• Maintain updated knowledge of scientific advancements, published literature, clinical development trends, and global regulatory expectations in relevant therapeutic areas.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated extensive leadership experience in managing multidisciplinary clinical research programs involving multiple stakeholders and complex operational environments.
• Strong scientific understanding of clinical trial management, translational research, Anti-Infective therapeutics, and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) challenges.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives, organizational planning, and research development programs.
• Excellent understanding of GCP, ICH guidelines, regulatory requirements, pharmacovigilance, and clinical research governance.
• Strong track record of collaboration with national and international research organizations, funding agencies, healthcare institutions, and industry partners.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate, and collaborate effectively with senior leadership, clinicians, academicians, and external agencies.
• Experience in securing research grants, external funding, and industry-sponsored projects will be highly desirable.
• Proven capability in building transparent, collaborative, and performance-driven research environments.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• High level of professional integrity, accountability, and commitment to scientific excellence.