Project Manager, Research & Validation Studies

Position: Project Manager, Research & Validation Studies (part time)
Reports to: Head of Scientific Research
Location: Carlsbad, CA, hybrid 1-2 days a week in office
Employment Status: Part-time, with the potential to transition to a full-time position.
Hourly Range: $38 - $42 per hour

About the Position

At Sleep.ai, we are building the future of sleep health through rigorous science, research, and real-world validation. Our research team works with leading brands and partners to evaluate sleep products, technologies, and interventions using thoughtful study design, strong operational execution, and a commitment to scientific integrity.

We are looking for a Project Manager, Research & Validation Studies to manage a portfolio of 10+ concurrent validation studies from proposal through completion. This role sits at the intersection of science, business development, client partnership, and research operations, helping turn new opportunities into well-run studies that meet both scientific standards and partner commitments.

You will serve as a primary point of contact for external sponsors, coordinate timelines and deliverables across the internal science team, support proposals, budgets, service agreements and Statements of Work, and own the IRB submission process. You will bring structure to a fast-moving research environment while ensuring studies stay on schedule, within scope, and grounded in sound methodology.

The ideal candidate combines strong project management and relationship-management skills with practical judgment and hands-on execution. They are highly organized, comfortable managing multiple priorities and stakeholders, proactive about solving problems, and confident raising concerns when business requests or timelines could compromise research quality.

What You’ll Do

• Manage a portfolio of 10+ concurrent research and validation studies from proposal and contracting through study completion and close-out.
• Partner closely with Business Development and Scientific Research to develop proposals, study timelines, budgets, cost estimates, service agreements, and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for external sponsors and partners, providing clear updates, managing expectations, and navigating complex or challenging partner relationships professionally.
• Own IRB submission preparation and coordination, including routing reviewer feedback and required documentation to keep studies compliant and moving forward.
• Create and maintain project plans, Gantt charts, timelines, budgets, and deliverable trackers to ensure study activities are initiated and completed on time.
• Coordinate workflow across the science team, proactively communicating new studies, upcoming deadlines, dependencies, and changes so teams can plan workload effectively.
• Track contracted deliverables, including reports, IRB documentation, participant information, and other study requirements, and escalate risks before they affect timelines or commitments.
• Identify process improvements that increase research-team efficiency, consistency, and study throughput while maintaining high standards for research quality.
• Safeguard study integrity by identifying and respectfully raising concerns when proposed business terms, timelines, or partner requests conflict with robust research practices.
• Support study close-out, final reporting, publications, or abstracts as opportunities and team capacity allow.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in research, science, psychology, management, or a related field.
• 3+ years of customer-facing project management experience in a research-oriented, clinical research, health, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of concurrent projects across cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience drafting, coordinating, or supporting proposals, budgets, agreements, contracts, or Statements of Work in a research or client-services setting.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage overlapping deadlines, shifting priorities, and multiple stakeholders without losing momentum.
• Sound, practical judgment and a proactive approach to identifying root causes, resolving issues, and improving processes.

Bonus Points For

• Hands-on experience with IRB submissions or human-subjects research administration.
• Experience in sleep, digital health, health & wellness, clinical research, or consumer health research.
• Experience working in a start-up or fast-growing small-team environment.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or comparable project-management training.
• Experience contributing to research publications, abstracts, or formal study reporting.

Thrive at Sleep.ai Because You Are Joining

• A mission-driven company dedicated to improving people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being through better sleep.
• A research organization where scientific rigor and practical commercial impact go hand in hand.
• A culture that is kind, open, collaborative, and comfortable with thoughtful debate and respectful pushback.
• A small, fast-moving team where strong organization, ownership, and good judgment have a visible impact.
• An environment that values continuous improvement, practical innovation, and modern tools that help teams work smarter and more effectively.

About Sleep.ai

Sleep.ai is a leader in sleep science, research, and digital sleep solutions, helping people sleep better so they can live better. Through science-backed products, validation research, strategic partnerships, and personalized insights, Sleep.ai works with consumers and organizations to better understand sleep and improve overall well-being.