The Person Who Figures Out What a Trial Should Really Cost
Investigator Grant Specialist | Emerald Clinical
Before a clinical trial can enroll its first patient, someone has to answer a difficult question:
What should this actually cost?
Not what the sponsor hopes it will cost. Not a number pulled from a previous study. A realistic, defensible, market-aligned budget that balances competitiveness with profitability—and ensures sites are paid fairly for the work they do.
That someone is you.
At Emerald Clinical, we're looking for an Investigator Grant Specialist who can look at a protocol and see the financial story underneath. Who understands that every procedure, every visit, every complexity factor translates into dollars. Who can build budgets that win bids—and stand up to scrutiny.
THE BASICS
Job Title: Investigator Grant Specialist
Department: Proposal Development / Clinical Operations
Location: APAC (flexible, hybrid or remote options available)
Experience: 3+ years in investigator grants, site budgeting, or clinical trial finance
Education: Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, Finance, or related field
Reports to: Proposal Development Manager or equivalent
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
When Emerald Clinical submits a proposal, we're making a promise: we can run this trial effectively, efficiently, and at a fair price.
The investigator grant is a critical part of that promise. Too low, and sites won't participate—or will push back during contracting. Too high, and we're not competitive. Wrong in structure, and we create problems downstream during study execution.
You're the person who gets it right.
Your budgets:
- Help win new business
- Ensure sites are compensated fairly
- Protect our margins
- Set the stage for smooth contract negotiations
- Build trust with investigators before the first patient is screened
WHAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY DO
Build Grant Estimates
You'll develop country- and study-level investigator grant estimates for RFP submissions. Not generic numbers—detailed, defensible budgets tailored to each protocol and region.
Analyze Protocols
You'll read protocols and identify what drives cost: visit schedules, procedures, complexity factors, regional requirements. You'll see what others might miss.
Collaborate Across Teams
You'll work with Proposal Development, Feasibility, Clinical Operations, Contracts, and Finance to ensure pricing strategy is aligned across the entire bid.
Assess Fair Market Value
You'll apply FMV methodologies and benchmark data to ensure our budgets are competitive without undervaluing site work.
Model Scenarios
When bid strategy discussions happen, you'll provide scenario modeling and cost comparisons. What if we run it in these countries instead? What if the visit schedule changes? You'll have answers.
Review Client Budgets
When clients provide their own budget assumptions, you'll review them, reconcile discrepancies, and help us respond during bid clarification phases.
Ensure Compliance
Every budget you build will comply with internal policies and regulatory standards. No shortcuts. No surprises later.
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY
Some days you'll be deep in a protocol, mapping out visit schedules and procedure costs.
Other days you'll be in bid defense meetings, explaining our budget assumptions to potential clients.
You'll toggle between spreadsheets, benchmarking tools, and internal systems. You'll have conversations with Finance about margins, with Operations about feasibility, with Contracts about negotiation room.
Deadlines will be tight. RFPs will come in waves. You'll need to shift focus quickly without dropping details.
If you thrive in that environment, you'll fit right in.
TRAINING, QUALITY & COMPLIANCE
- Complete mandatory training within specified timelines
- Attend required training sessions for this role
- Identify resources to support your ongoing learning and development
- Comply with all applicable regulations, guidelines, SOPs, and project requirements
- Maintain proficiency in all designated systems relevant to your role
- Ensure quality control of all processes and activities you perform
- Report and escalate identified risks and issues according to requirements
CUSTOMER FOCUS & TEAMWORK
- Attend and actively participate in Emerald Clinical meetings, Bid Defense Meetings, and other internal activities
- Provide input to systems, tools, and processes to support continuous improvement
- Share knowledge with others to facilitate learning and development across the organization
WORK HEALTH & SAFETY
- Comply with Work Health & Safety legislation
- Operate in accordance with established WH&S practices and procedures
- Promote and contribute to a safe, secure environment for staff and visitors
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
Essential:
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, Finance, or related field
- 3+ years of experience in investigator grants, site budgeting, clinical trial finance, or proposal development
- Experience using Medidata Grants (strongly preferred)
- Strong understanding of global clinical trial cost drivers and regional pricing differences
- Working knowledge of FMV methodologies and benchmarking tools
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, bid-driven environment
Preferred:
- Experience supporting RFPs, bid grids, or proposal pricing
- Familiarity with clinical trial operations and site perspectives
- Negotiation experience or exposure
- Technological proficiency including Microsoft Office packages
THE COMPETENCIES WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Strategic Thinking
You understand the balance between competitiveness and profitability. You know when to hold firm and when to flex.
Financial Acumen
Numbers tell a story, and you know how to read it. You see the implications behind the data.
Collaborative Mindset
You thrive in cross-functional bid teams. You seek input, share information, and work toward shared goals.
Detail Orientation
You catch what others miss. Your budgets are accurate, consistent, and defensible.
Big Picture Awareness
You can focus on the details without losing sight of how your work fits into the broader bid strategy.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Priorities change. RFPs shift. You adjust without missing a beat.
WHY EMERALD CLINICAL?
We're not just another CRO. We're a team with deep roots in Asia-Pacific and a commitment to putting people first—both patients and employees.
Purpose-Driven Work
You'll contribute to clinical trials in renal, cardiometabolic, and oncology—therapies that genuinely improve lives.
Global Reach, Local Expertise
We combine international scale with on-the-ground knowledge. Our teams build trust in local communities, ensuring diverse patient recruitment and better data.
Collaboration and Innovation
We value diverse perspectives and creative solutions. Your ideas matter here.
WHAT WE OFFER
Competitive Compensation
A tailored salary and benefits package reflecting your skills and experience.
Flexibility
Hybrid or remote working arrangements depending on your location and role.
Career Growth
Access to learning opportunities and a global network of scientific and operational leaders.
Employee Wellbeing
Programs designed to promote work-life balance, health, and team connection—including engagement surveys, recognition programs, and team events.
Global Opportunities
Exposure to diverse projects and clients across our international network.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
☐ Do I enjoy the puzzle of translating a protocol into a budget?
☐ Can I work with numbers all day and still care about the details?
☐ Am I comfortable explaining financial assumptions to non-financial colleagues?
☐ Do I thrive under deadline pressure without cutting corners?
☐ Can I balance competitiveness with profitability in my recommendations?
☐ Am I curious about how clinical trials actually work, beyond the budget?
If you answered yes to most of these, you should apply.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
You apply – Submit your resume and any relevant information.
We read – Every application gets reviewed by a real person.
We connect – If there's a potential fit, we'll reach out.
We talk – An initial conversation to learn about each other.
We decide – If it feels right for both sides, we make an offer.
We respond to every applicant. No ghosting. No waiting forever wondering.
APPLY NOW
If you're ready to build budgets that win bids and enable clinical research—and you want to grow your career in a supportive, mission-driven CRO—apply now.
Tell us:
- What you've done in investigator grants or clinical trial finance
- What you're curious about and want to learn next
- What questions you have for us
We'll read everything.
Apply for the Investigator Grant Specialist position at Emerald Clinical.
Emerald Clinical is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need accommodations during the application process, just let us know.
