Sr. Clinical Research Associate

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies—like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion—have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

We’re a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful—because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

The Future Forward organization is Intuitive’s advanced concepts group. We explore emerging technologies, prototype next-generation solutions, and build software experiences that shape the future of robotic-assisted surgery.

If you’re ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you’ll find your purpose here.

Primary Function of the Position

The Senior Clinical Research Associate will play a vital role in supporting pre-market clinical studies of investigational drugs for the Fluorescence Imaging group, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge of clinical research in drug trials, including Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and relevant US regulations for human subjects.

As a member of the Clinical Fluorescence Imaging team, this individual will collaborate with key stakeholders and contribute to the successful execution of pre-market clinical studies, working independently with minimal supervision. The role will involve close coordination with Senior Clinical Project Managers, the Head of the Fluorescence Imaging Clinical Team, and other team members.

The Sr CRA will also travel frequently to Investigational Sites to conduct co-monitoring along with the assigned Field CRA(s)/Monitor(s) assigned to specific investigational sites by the CRO.

Essential Job Duties

• Contribute to all clinical research activities to ensure the successful start-up and management of clinical studies through FDA approval.
• Maintain and track clinical study data monitored and help in Investigator, Sub-Investigators qualification and selection, training, scrutiny of potential patient recruitment, and overall study status/progress throughout the life of a study.
• Co-Management of site start-up/activation process, including heavy contribution to the preparation of study-related documents and complete checklists, able to help with clinical trial agreements and budget negotiation, finalization of clinical monitoring plan, training materials, etc.
• Assist with eCRFs/EDC system, CTMS, eTMF and imaging Core Labs.
• Assist with review of IRB submissions, consents and applicable regulatory documentation with follow-through to ensure successful outcomes.
• Assist with amendments clinical study documents (ICF, CRFs, protocols, Monitoring Plan, study tools, etc.) as needed and assist clinical sites with institutional review board submission if necessary.
• Experienced with performing on-site and/or remote site qualification visits, site initiation visits, interim co-monitoring visits, and site close-out visits with or without the CRO.
• Conduct clinical study co-monitoring to ensure regulatory and protocol compliance and overall data accuracy in accordance with the study clinical monitoring plan.
• Complete source data verification of clinical study data entered in an Electronic Data Capture (EDC) system or on a case report form at sites to ensure regulatory and protocol compliance and overall accuracy.
• Assist and support participating clinical trial sites, to ensure timely data entry, data integrity, query resolution, investigational drug accountability, and study conduct oversight at the participating clinical sites.
• Partner with data management (CRO) to help the data cleaning process.
• Assist with the development and management of study electronic clinical trial master file (eTMF) and maintain study documentation and clinical trial management system (e.g., correspondence, CRFs, study approval documents), trip reports, site contact documentation, monthly status reports (e.g., enrollment, adverse events, budget, etc.)
• Assist the Sr Clinical Project Manager on study scoping activities, including, but not limited to, the development of pre-study questionnaires, study design, and surgeon/site selection.
• Assist Investigational sites with site audits preparation in anticipation of site inspections as well as assist during actual audits.
• Assist with internal and external audits preparation as well as during actual audits.
• Assist with SIV preparation and presentations.
• Assist with Investigators meetings preparation and presentations, including logistics and planning.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Previous experience implementing pharmaceutical trials. Significant knowledge of clinical and/or outcomes research study design. Experience with surgical trials is preferred.
• Possess advanced knowledge of Clinical investigation of investigational drugs for human subjects.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice ICH/GCP and other applicable regulations, fundamental knowledge of clinical research and monitoring requirements.
• Clinical research/clinical trial management certification/education preferred.
• Excellent ability to interact with physicians and other professionals inside and outside the company.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience with protocol and ICF development, and related amendments.
• Experience negotiating clinical research contracts and budgets.
• Must be able to work effectively cross-functionally.
• Must be able to travel up to 40%.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relational skills with high attention to detail and organization
• Ability to learn quickly, adjust to shifting requirements, and self-educate on different  as applicable to clinical projects (“Self-starter attitude”).
• Exhibits solid work ethic to help meet tight timelines and/or multiple priorities when necessary with a problem-solving mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PDF applications.
• Experience working with electronic data capture (EDC) systems required.
• Experience in clinical trial management systems.
• Previous experience implementing, helping and managing drug trials.
• Significant knowledge of clinical and/or outcomes research study.
• Possess advanced knowledge of Clinical investigation of Investigational drugs for human subjects - Good Clinical Practice and other applicable regulations.
• Knowledge of clinical research and monitoring requirements.
• Excellent ability to interact with physicians and other professionals inside and outside the company.

Qualifications

Required Education and Training

•  Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a BA/BS university degree; or a minimum 6 years’ experience and a Nursing degree, a Master’s degree, or an MD or PhD with a minimum 5 years’ of clinical research experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of statistics, statistical methods, and design of experiment is preferred.
• Accustomed to working in a hospital environment, experience working with nurses and surgeons preferred.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].