Director Clinical Trial Operations

Founded in 2025 at the University of Zurich, the Zurich Hub for Drug and Device Development (ZH3D) supports the development of medicinal products and medical devices through regulatory expertise, quality assurance and specialised GxP services.
For the University Animal Hospital Zurich, we are seeking a highly organised veterinarian to establish and lead the clinical trial operations under GxP. The role involves planning, coordinating and delivering academic and industry-sponsored clinical trials, collaborating with researchers, clinical teams and external partners, and ensuring compliant, high-quality study conduct through effective processes and documentation.

Your responsibilities

The successful candidate will have professional and operational responsibility for clinical trial activities at the University Animal Hospital, including:

• Planning, coordinating and conducting academic and industry-sponsored clinical trials from feasibility assessment and study set-up through completion and reporting.
• Serving as the primary contact for researchers, sponsors, industry partners and other external clients, while building and maintaining collaborative partnerships.
• Assessing study feasibility, timelines, resources and budgets, and supporting proposal development.
• Coordinating clinics, nursing staff, laboratories, administrative units and external partners involved in study delivery.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory, ethical, quality and study-specific requirements, including complete and audit-ready documentation.
• Establishing and continuously improving study processes, SOPs and quality systems, including the management of monitoring visits, audits, inspections, deviations and corrective actions.
• Managing the clinical trial portfolio, monitoring milestones and resources, and reporting progress to management and governance bodies.
• Recruiting, supervising and supporting the development of a veterinary nurse dedicated to clinical trial activities.
• Contributing to the strategic development and expansion of clinical trial services.

Your profile

• We are seeking a veterinarian with a strong interest in clinical research and experience managing complex projects and collaborations. The ideal candidate will have:
• A degree in veterinary medicine; a doctorate or specialist qualification is an advantage.
• Several years of clinical veterinary experience, ideally combined with experience planning, managing or conducting clinical trials.
• Knowledge of clinical research standards and requirements (e.g. GCP/VICH GCP, GxP, ethics, study documentation and audit readiness) or a willingness to develop expertise in these areas.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and, ideally, with academic researchers and industry partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology or animal health sectors.
• Strong project management, organisational, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, service-oriented and resilient working style with proficiency in digital documentation and collaboration tools.
• Fluent in German and English.

What we offer

Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. Find out more: https://www.uzh.ch/de/explore/work.html.

Location

Zurich Hub for Drug and Device Development

Information on your application

What We Offer:

• A leadership role in a highly specialised university and clinical environment.
• Significant opportunity to shape and expand clinical trial services.
• Close collaboration with academic researchers, clinical specialists and industry partners.
• The opportunity to further establish the University Animal Hospital as a preferred partner for academic and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
• Attractive employment conditions within the University of Zurich environment.

Further information

Questions about the job

Maurice Brozzo, PhD
Business Developer - ZH3D
+41 44 636 54 67
maurice.brozzo@uzh.ch

Working at UZH

The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!