Rho is a different kind of CRO built around connection. We’re a community of curious minds and problem solvers who believe that clinical research is about strong collaboration with all involved: sponsors, investigators, sites, and patients. Our comprehensive suite of clinical development services and areas of specialized expertise reflect our relentless drive to be part of something bigger.
We don’t just navigate challenges, we thrive in them by forging stronger bonds. Personal connections are what make us different.
The Study Start-Up Associate coordinates end-to-end study start-up activities, including site identification, regulatory submissions, and contract negotiations.
They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project timelines and quality standards are met throughout the study life cycle.
What you need
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and possess at least one year of experience in a clinical research setting, preferably at a CRO.
A solid understanding of ICH GCP guidelines, regulatory submission processes, and strong organizational skills are required.
Join us in redefining what it means to work for a CRO.
When you work at Rho, it’s more than just a job—you become part of the Rho Factor. We’re a proud bunch of science nerds who love tackling big challenges together. We’re not your typical CRO, and we’re not trying to be. Here, curiosity is encouraged, fresh approaches are welcome, and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.
Whether you’re a data wizard, analytical genius, project mastermind, or any other role, you’ll fit right into the equation of the Rho Factor. Expect plenty of geeky jokes, eccentric personalities, spontaneous brainstorms, and a supportive community where people genuinely care about their work—and each other.
You’ll have the opportunity to experience a thriving company with real stability - financial, workforce, and corporate, which has created a safe environment to innovate and develop over a long and rewarding career.
As our next Study Start-Up Associate, you will have the opportunity to work closely with the multidisciplinary project team across the life cycle of the project to ensure Study Start-Up is thoughtfully planned and delivered in a consistent, timely, and high quality manner. The Study Start Up (SSU) team provides successful end to end coordination of Study Start-Up planning and execution activities including, but not limited to, investigator assessment and identification, pre-study development, site qualification, and site activation. SSU is a pivotal role requiring collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, working closely with the clinical study team, other internal functional areas, and Sponsors to support the study start-up process.
Our Start-Up will tell you, joining Rho has been one of their best career moves in terms of contentment, financial rewards and career growth, which is why we have such stability in the group!
What You'll Be Doing:
Project Oversight & Support
Participates in the start-up process through site activation, providing excellent customer service to internal and external parties in a timely and professional manner
Feasibility & Site Identification
Collaborates with the Feasibility team, CTL, SSUL, Rho Legal, Sponsor, and relevant site staff to obtain site lists and ensure fully executed CDAs are established; contributes to the trial feasibility process, specifically distributing questionnaires and following up with site personnel to ensure comprehensive responses are collected
Maintains SSU trackers, databases, and shared documentation to track relevant metrics related to site identification and selection activities o Ensures required site level feasibility documentation is filed in the TMF
Regulatory & IRB/IEC Submissions & Approvals
Collaborates with and supports SSUL on the required document collection, preparation and execution of the Regulatory & IRB/IEC approach for submission and approval at specified regional levels, including country level approval, and participates in local approval activities; provides administrative support during the Regulatory and IRB/IEC submission and approval workflows (e.g., formatting, QC checks, document versioning, uploading documents to Regulatory and IRB/IEC platforms)
Ensures Regulatory and IRB/IEC documents are filed and maintained accurately in SSU trackers, TMF, and databases
Coordinates with sites to ensure site level Regulatory and IRB/IEC submissions and approvals are obtained
Site Essential Documents (SED) & ICF
Supports and may lead the creation, distribution, collection, review and approval of Site Essential Document (SED) package under the guidance of the SSU Lead
Supports the adaptation of site level Informed Consent Forms (ICFs), including the review, QC checklist, negotiation and approval with relevant internal and external parties with support and oversight from the SSU Lead
Tracks, maintains, and files SED documentation in SSU databases, trackers, and TMF
Budget & Contracts
Liaises with Rho Legal and sites to facilitate and support the negotiation and execution of site budgets and contracts
Provides administrative support, maintains timely tracking, database updates, filing, and handling of budget and contract progress and documents
Assists with collecting required site-level information needed for initial budget and contract preparation
Systems, Metrics & Handoffs
Ensures relevant systems are maintained and up to date to keep track of site-level progress, enabling the SSUL to analyze SSU progress metrics against study-level targets and timelines
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Partners with the SSU Lead to identify and execute the suitable timing of handoff to Clinical Operations on a site-by-site basis
Bachelor’s Degree along with at least 1 year of experience within the clinical research setting, preferably within a CRO
Good knowledge of general clinical research processes and medical terminology; basic understanding of Regulatory and IRB/IEC submission processes for assigned countries; working knowledge of current ICH GCP guidelines and applicable regulations
Good written and verbal communication skills
Takes initiative to complete project responsibilities, seeking guidance as needed
Good organizational and time management skills, able to meet deadlines; strong attention to detail
Positive attitude and ability to interact with all levels of staff to coordinate and execute study activities
Ability to manage multiple competing priorities within various clinical trials and work as a strong team player
A few more things to know about us:
Benefits: Rho provides a comprehensive benefits package for all benefit-eligible employees, which includes medical, vision, dental, HSA, FSA, EAP, life & disability insurance and 401(k). All employees are eligible for paid time off, holidays, parental leave and bereavement leave.
Flexibility: We encourage a work-life balance that allows employees to bring their best selves to work while being passionate about their lives outside work.
As required by pay transparency laws in some states, Rho provides the range of starting compensation (annual salary or hourly rate) it reasonably expects to pay for a given role. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to role responsibilities and location as well as candidate skill set and level of experience. The range of starting pay for this role is $55,000-65,000 per year.
EOE. Veterans/Disabled