Research Operations Associate USD

The Fountain Group is currently seeking a Research Operations Associate for a prominent client of ours.

This position is located in San Diego, CA.

• Pay: $27-30/hr.
• 12-month assignment with possibility for extension or conversion based on performance and budget.

• Support Early Research Sciences (ERS) teams by coordinating research operations, external collaborations, and CRO partnerships to ensure timely execution of scientific projects.
• Serve as a liaison between internal stakeholders and external research partners, facilitating communication, project tracking, and workflow coordination.
• Manage operational activities including research agreements, project deliverables, documentation, and administrative workflows within a matrixed organization.
• Track project budgets, purchase orders (POs), expenditures, and financial commitments while supporting forecasting and reporting activities.
• Coordinate domestic and international shipment of research materials, compounds, and biological samples while maintaining accurate documentation and compliance with import/export requirements.
• Maintain operational databases, dashboards, and reports by collecting and analyzing project metrics, KPIs, timelines, and collaborator performance data.
• Support data management, trend analysis, and process improvement initiatives to optimize research operations and improve project efficiency.
• Prepare presentations, operational summaries, and reports for research teams and leadership while managing special projects and administrative priorities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Organic Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Strong understanding of scientific terminology, chemical compounds, and/or biological materials.
• Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research, or CRO environments.
• Experience supporting scientific operations, research administration, logistics, or project coordination.
• Knowledge of import/export requirements and international shipping regulations for scientific materials.
• Data analysis and reporting experience.
• Familiarity with tools such as Spotfire, business intelligence platforms

• Referral Bonus for any candidate hired.