About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is for a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) focused on managing relationships with clinical trial sites and ensuring compliance with study protocols. You'll be monitoring trials from Phase I to IV, conducting site visits, and working closely with teams to address risks and improve performance. It's primarily an individual contributor role with a significant emphasis on communication and relationship management.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have at least one year of clinical research experience and a background in a scientific or healthcare field. Strong interpersonal skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving will help you thrive in this role.

Worth noting

The position is hybrid but requires you to be based in Barcelona without relocation support. This could be a red flag for those needing flexibility or considering relocation.

Job Description Summary

Job Title: Clinical Research Associate

#LI-Hybrid
Location: Barcelona Provincial, Spain

Relocation Support: This role is based in Barcelona Provincial, Spain. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

Step into a role where your work directly advances clinical innovation and brings life-changing therapies closer to patients. As a Clinical Research Associate, you will be at the forefront of trial delivery—building trusted site partnerships, ensuring high-quality execution, and driving performance across Phase I–IV studies. In this site-facing role, you will take ownership of monitoring activities, proactively identify risks, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure trials are delivered with excellence, integrity, and impact.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Serve as primary point of contact between Novartis and clinical trial sites, ensuring strong, collaborative partnerships
Manage assigned Phase I–IV study sites in compliance with protocols, monitoring plans, and regulatory requirements
Conduct site initiation visits to ensure site teams are fully trained on study protocols and expectations
Deliver ongoing training for amendments and new site personnel to maintain compliance and consistency
Perform on-site and remote monitoring activities to ensure patient safety, data integrity, and protocol adherence
Proactively assess site performance, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies to improve outcomes
Identify process gaps and collaborate with sites to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence
Promote a strong compliance culture, ensuring adherence to ethical standards, regulations, and data privacy requirements
Build strong site relationships to enhance patient recruitment and reduce operational challenges
Lead site closeout activities, ensuring completion of follow-up actions and proper documentation and archiving

Essential Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or healthcare-related discipline
Minimum 1 year of experience in clinical research, including monitoring or site management
Understanding of clinical trial processes, including Good Clinical Practice and International Council for Harmonisation guidelines
Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements and standards, including global and local health authorities
Strong communication and relationship-building skills to effectively collaborate with clinical trial sites
Ability to manage multiple priorities, demonstrating strong organization and time management skills
Analytical and risk-based thinking with the ability to identify issues and implement effective mitigation strategies
Fluency in written and spoken English and the local language

Desirable Requirements

Strong understanding of the drug development process and clinical research methodologies

Skills Desired

Clinical Monitoring, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Reports, Clinical Trial Management Systems, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Data Integrity, Decision Making Skills, Lifesciences

Aplyr's read

Novartis is a Swiss-based global healthcare leader, known for its focus on innovative medicines and commitment to addressing patient needs through diverse roles.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Novartis invests heavily in research and development, driving innovation in pharmaceuticals.
•The company offers a wide range of global career opportunities across various fields.
•Strong focus on cutting-edge therapies, including gene therapy and AI-driven solutions.

What to watch

•Regulatory challenges can impact the speed of drug approval and market entry.
•High competition in the pharmaceutical industry requires constant innovation to maintain market position.
•Complex organizational structure may slow decision-making processes.

Why Novartis

•Novartis has a robust pipeline of innovative medicines, setting it apart in the healthcare sector.
•The company emphasizes a diverse and inclusive workplace culture across its global operations.
•Novartis is a leader in digital transformation within pharmaceuticals, integrating AI and data science.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About Novartis

Novartis

novartis.com

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Novartis is a global healthcare company based in Switzerland that provides solutions to address the evolving needs of patients worldwide. It focuses on innovative medicines, generics, and eye care.