Project Manager Animal Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Location & Travel

Based in the US, close to Naperville, IL. Occasional on-site presence at the Naperville lab is expected when needed (e.g. specimen/shipment issues).

About the Role

Deciphex is looking for a Project Manager to own the delivery of sponsor pathology projects for pharma and biotech clients, spanning everything from early translational research to clinical trials. You'll step in right after the sales process closes (once the Statement of Work is being scoped), and you'll be fully accountable for the project from there through to completion: coordinating pathologists and lab teams, managing specimen and digital slide (WSI) logistics, and ensuring every deliverable meets spec and timeline.

This is a post-sales, client-facing role, you'll be the translator between what the client wants and what the science and operations teams can deliver. You won't have direct line management over the pathologists and lab staff you work with, so this is a role for someone who leads through influence, trust, and clear communication rather than authority.

What You'll Be Doing

• Act as the main point of contact for clients from SOW stage through project completion
• Coordinate pathologists and lab/technical staff across 5-10 concurrent projects
• Translate client requirements into study-specific protocols and instructions
• Monitor timelines, catch slippage early, and drive corrective action
• Manage specimen, image, and data logistics (including whole slide image transfer and data proofing)
• Maintain complete, audit-ready documentation
• Be accountable for the integrity and accuracy of final reports
• Occasionally step into the lab in person if issues arise (e.g. sample/shipment issues) - this role requires proximity to our Naperville-area lab

What Makes This Role Different

This isn't routine diagnostic pathology coordination, it's a role that spans the full breadth of research pathology, from clinical trials to early-stage research, across a huge diversity of techniques, modalities, and client types. You'll own your projects end-to-end and grow in complexity as Deciphex expands further into AI-driven pathology and diagnostics.

What We're Looking For

• Hands-on experience in histopathology, ideally with exposure to clinical trials and/or tissue biomarker studies
• Demonstrable project management experience, bonus points if it's from a pharma/biotech environment managing biomarker or sample logistics
• A degree in biomedical science or related field (equivalent industry experience will be considered)
• Strong stakeholder management skills, comfortable influencing without formal authority
• High attention to detail and comfort working in an audit-trailed, SOP-driven environment
• A problem-solver who seeks clarity and stays composed under pressure or ambiguity
• Familiarity with digital pathology (scanners, WSI formats) and high computer proficiency

What are the benefits of working with Deciphex?

• Competitive salary with performance-based annual increments
• Healthcare benefits
• Competitive annual leave
• A true sense of meaning in your work by contributing to better patient outcomes and the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in animal research
• The opportunity to work alongside a world-class high-performing team in a hyper-growth startup environment
• Direct involvement in landmark EU-funded projects shaping the future of AI in pathology
• Regular performance feedback and significant career growth opportunities
• A highly collaborative and supportive multicultural team

About the Company

Through the work that we do, the team at Deciphex helps pharma to accelerate the process of essential drug development and helps patients to get timely and accurate diagnosis.

Founded in Dublin in 2017, Deciphex has scaled rapidly to a team of over 230 people and counting who are providing software solutions to address the pathology gap in research pathology and clinical areas. We have offices in Dublin, Exeter, Oxford, Toronto and Chicago and are expanding our team throughout the world.

We are software developers, clinical specialists, AI engineers, operations professionals and so much more, all working as one team to support our customers and patients. Our team culture is built on trust. We give our team the space they need to deliver results and the environment to ensure they can enjoy doing it.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are excited to take on challenges and value making a difference in their day-to-day work. This is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the emerging Digital Pathology field.

Read more about Deciphex here and more about our incredible team on our Careers Page here

Deciphex is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to the principle of equality. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, religious beliefs, political views, gender identity, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, family or marital status (including pregnancy), disability, membership of the travelling community or any other classification protected by applicable law.

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