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Principal Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Altasciences

Principal Investigator

Overland Park, KS

The Principal Investigator will promote Good Clinical Practices (GCP) during the conduct of clinical investigations by ensuring adherence to protocol requirements, protecting the rights and welfare ...

New

Kelly Services

Principal Investigator

West Hills, CA

Principal Investigator (Internal Medicine) Kelly Science and Clinical is currently hiring a Principal Investigator to work part-time, onsite in West Hills, CA for one of our clients who is dedicated ...

Kelly Services

Principal Investigator

West Hills, CA · On-site

Principal Investigator (Internal Medicine) Kelly Science and Clinical is currently hiring a Principal Investigator to work part-time, onsite in West Hills, CA for one of our clients who is dedicated ...

Care Access

Principal Investigator

Brandon, FL

$200K - $400K/yr

As the Principal Investigator, you will be responsible for oversight of all clinical trials according to study protocols, company processes, and GCP. Please note this is a part-time role. How You'll ...

Care Access

Principal Investigator

Houston, TX

$200K - $400K/yr

As the Principal Investigator, you will be responsible for oversight of all clinical trials according to study protocols, company processes, and GCP. Please note this is a part-time role. How You'll ...

Care Access

Principal Investigator

Brandon, FL

$200K - $400K/yr

As the Principal Investigator, you will be responsible for oversight of all clinical trials according to study protocols, company processes, and GCP. Please note this is a part-time role. How You'll ...

Care Access

Principal Investigator

Houston, TX · On-site

$200K - $400K/yr

As the Principal Investigator, you will be responsible for oversight of all clinical trials according to study protocols, company processes, and GCP. Please note this is a part-time role. How You'll ...

Care Access

Principal Investigator

Brandon, FL · On-site

$200K - $400K/yr

As the Principal Investigator, you will be responsible for oversight of all clinical trials according to study protocols, company processes, and GCP. Please note this is a part-time role. How You'll ...

Care Access

Principal Investigator

Houston, TX · On-site

$200K - $400K/yr

As the Principal Investigator, you will be responsible for oversight of all clinical trials according to study protocols, company processes, and GCP. Please note this is a part-time role. How You'll ...

Olsson

Principal Investigator

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$150K - $240K/yr

As the Principal Investigator you will plan, oversee, and support cultural resources investigations and overall responsibility for archaeological investigations. These investigations and coordination ...

Olsson

Principal Investigator

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$150K - $240K/yr

As the Principal Investigator you will plan, oversee, and support cultural resources investigations and overall responsibility for archaeological investigations. These investigations and coordination ...

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All JobsPrincipal Investigator Jobs

Principal Investigator information

See salary details

$19.5K

$142.7K

$260.5K

How much do principal investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal investigator in the United States is $142,668.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,000.00 and $200,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do principal investigators make in the US?

Principal investigators in the US typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on their experience, field, and the institution. Senior PIs or those in high-demand research areas may earn higher salaries, often supplemented by grants and research funding.

What are some common challenges principal investigators face when managing research teams?

Principal Investigators often encounter challenges related to balancing administrative responsibilities with hands-on research and mentorship. Managing a diverse team with varying expertise, ensuring clear communication, and securing consistent funding can be demanding. PIs are also responsible for fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and maintaining compliance with institutional and funding agency regulations. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and adaptability.

What is a principal investigator?

A principal investigator, or PI, is the primary representative of an organization that requests a grant. As a principal investigator, you are responsible for the preparation and completion of the research or project being funded by the grant. Your primary goal is to provide sufficient justification for the proposal or grant request to the funding entities. Other job duties include developing research strategies to gather data, analyzing and writing up a summary of the results of the research, and ensuring the project complies with all applicable laws and regulations. A PI may be required to present the results of the study to faculty, peers, and grant approvers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Investigator, you need advanced expertise in a scientific discipline, a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent), and a proven research track record. Familiarity with grant management systems, laboratory management tools, and regulatory compliance certifications (like Good Clinical Practice) is typically required. Strong leadership, project management, and effective communication skills set outstanding Principal Investigators apart. These competencies are vital for designing innovative research, securing funding, leading teams, and ensuring ethical, high-impact study outcomes.

What is a principal investigator?

A Principal Investigator (PI) is the lead researcher responsible for the design, conduct, and management of a research project, typically within an academic or scientific setting. The PI oversees all aspects of the project, including securing funding, ensuring compliance with regulations, supervising research staff, and reporting results. They are ultimately accountable for the integrity and progress of the research, as well as the safety of any human or animal subjects involved. The PI is usually a senior scientist or faculty member with expertise in the project's subject area.

What is the difference between Principal Investigator vs Research Scientist?

AspectPrincipal InvestigatorResearch Scientist
Required credentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD or MD), research experienceMaster's or PhD, specialized research skills
Work environmentLeads research projects, manages teams, secures fundingConducts experiments, analyzes data, supports research projects
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesUniversities, industry R&D labs, biotech companies

The main difference between a Principal Investigator and a Research Scientist lies in their roles and responsibilities. The Principal Investigator typically leads research projects, manages teams, and secures funding, while the Research Scientist focuses on conducting experiments and supporting research activities. Both roles require advanced research credentials, but the PI holds a leadership position overseeing the entire project.

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Principal Investigator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Investigator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,668 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Principal Investigator

Altasciences

Overland Park, KS

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Altasciences rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

60th of 120 rated laboratories

Job description

Your New Company!
At Altasciences we all move in unison to assist and work in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of new drug therapies to get them faster to people who need them. No matter your role, we all play an important part and you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. By living our values of Employee Development, Customer Focus, Quality and Excellence, Respect and Integrity, we look to foster a passionate and collaborative work environment and we are looking for talented and enthusiastic people, like you, to join our growing team! Whether you're a recent college graduate or seeking your next career opportunity, it's time to discover your future at Altasciences.

We are better together and together We Are Altasciences.

About The Role
The Principal Investigator is responsible for the supervision and delegation of the tasks related to the clinical trial they are Principal Investigator of. The Principal Investigator will promote Good Clinical Practices (GCP) during the conduct of clinical investigations by ensuring adherence to protocol requirements, protecting the rights and welfare of subjects, assuring the integrity of data generated at the site and directing the conduct of the clinical investigation according to regulation/guidance and standard operating procedure (SOP).

You'll Do Here

  • Supervise the clinical activities for the clinical trial they are Principal Investigator.

  • Delegation of trial related tasks and the review of employees on the Delegation of Authority and Signature Log per job title/training record.

  • Perform protocol training.

  • Provide documentation for the Sub-Investigators.

  • Ensure subject safety at all times, this may include but is not limited to: review of clinical laboratory results and/or other test results. Review and/or performance of vital signs, ECGs or other safety tests.

  • Perform critical trial related tasks and/or make trial related decisions during the course of the trial.

  • Ensure subject eligibility is met based on protocol inclusionary/exclusionary criteria and that the subject continues to meet eligibility criteria throughout the course of a clinical trial.

  • Ensure requirements related to obtaining informed consent are met.

  • Perform physical examinations and medical history intake and review.

  • Be on-site for surveillance as required by protocol and remain available on-call for medical events.

  • Record and follow-up on adverse events and determine causality.

  • Report serious adverse events to appropriate parties.

  • Participate in sponsor visits and regulatory audits.

  • Document study related events incompliance with GCP.

  • Review study protocols and SOPs.

  • Complete and/or review regulatory documents as applicable.

  • Participate in sponsor visits and regulatory audits.

  • May act as Sub-Investigator on studies not assigned to them as Principal Investigator.

What You'll Need to Succeed

  • MD degree from an accredited Physician Program and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required.

  • Previous experience with similar responsibilities; ideally related to the industry.

What We Offer

Altasciences offers a wide variety of benefits to help our employees live healthy and fulfilling lives both at and outside of work.

Altasciences' Benefits Package Includes:

  • Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

  • 401(k)/RRSP with Employer Match

  • Paid Vacation and Holidays

  • Paid Sick and Bereavement Leave

  • Employee Assistance & Telehealth Programs

Altasciences' Incentive Programs Include:

  • Training & Development Programs

  • Employee Referral Bonus Program

#LI-AN1

MOVING IN UNISON TO DELIVER A BIG IMPACT WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH

Altasciences is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or any other protected grounds under applicable legislation. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities during the recruitment process are available upon request. Join us at Altasciences!

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