Principal Investigator - Psychiatric Pharmaceutical Clinical Research

Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) is seeking an experienced and dedicated research professional to join our growing team. We are a community-focused, outpatient mental health group serving diverse and underserved populations. Combining the rigor of academic research with direct community impact, we strive to advance the most evidence-based and specialized treatments in psychiatric care—including for Medicaid and Medicare populations.

About the Role

The Principal Investigator will serve as a senior research investigator within a growing portfolio of phase II-IV pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical studies. This individual will play a central leadership role across studies spanning multiple psychiatric indications, contributing to the design, execution, and participant oversight of sponsor-initiated trials. The position includes responsibilities as Principal Investigator on active studies, with accountability for regulatory compliance, protocol adherence, and patient safety. This role is well suited for a researcher seeking to lead high-impact psychiatric trials in a dynamic outpatient research setting.

• Serve as the site’s primary clinical authority and accountable investigator for assigned pharmaceutical-sponsored psychiatric trials, with final responsibility for participant safety and protocol integrity.
• Provide clinical oversight and sign-off on participant eligibility, informed consent, and any protocol deviations or safety events across assigned studies.
• Liaison research operations director to direct and supervise the study team — including coordinators, sub-investigators, and raters — ensuring protocol compliance and high-quality data across assigned studies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsors, CROs, and regulatory agencies; represent the site in investigator meetings, site initiation visits, and monitoring interactions.
• Exercise clinical judgment on adverse events, serious adverse events (SAEs), and participant discontinuations in coordination with the sponsor medical monitor.
• Maintain accurate and complete investigator records and ensure assigned studies operate in full compliance with ICH-GCP, FDA, and IRB requirements.

Requirements

Mandatory Qualifications

• Doctorate in a related field (e.g., PhD, PsyD, DSc, or other doctorate in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Chemistry, or Psychopharmacology or related field) from an accredited program
• No disciplinary action or license restriction
• Minimum 2 years of clinical research experience, including experience as a PI or sub-PI on pharmaceutical-sponsored trials
• Demonstrated knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and IRB/ethics submission processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Current licensure to clinically practice (if direct participant assessments or clinical evaluations are required)

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k) matching
• Bonus based on performance
• Dental insurance

Why Join PNS?

• Shape the future of clinical care through clinical research directly impacting patients
• Be part of a mission-driven organization committed to serving the underserved and providing exceptional quality care
• Work in a supportive interdisciplinary team environment
• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including 401K, medical, dental, vision, and paid time-off