Psychiatrist (MD/DO) - Clinical Research

Job Description

Job Description

Psychiatrist (MD/DO) – Clinical Research

Lighthouse Psychiatry | Arizona

Employment: Part-Time (with potential for Full-Time opportunity)
Focus: Clinical Research | Psychiatry | Clinical Trials

About Lighthouse Psychiatry

Lighthouse Psychiatry is an advanced outpatient mental health practice specializing in evidence-based, interventional psychiatry for patients with complex and treatment-resistant conditions. Our model integrates traditional psychiatric care, psychotherapy, and cutting-edge interventional treatments—including TMS, ketamine-based therapies, and esketamine (Spravato®)—within a highly structured, outcomes-driven clinical environment. Because innovation is our focus, Lighthouse Psychiatry is expanding its clinical research program to advance the development and evaluation of innovative treatments for psychiatric and neurobehavioral conditions.

Position Summary:

Lighthouse Psychiatry is seeking a Board-Certified Psychiatrist (MD/DO) to join our clinical research team to serve as a physician investigator and contributing to industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical research.

This is a research-focused position with responsibilities centered on conducting and overseeing psychiatric clinical trials. Depending on qualifications and experience, the psychiatrist may serve as a Principal Investigator (PI), Sub-Investigator (Sub-I), or physician investigator .

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong clinical judgment, attention to research methodology and protocol adherence, and a commitment to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), research integrity, regulatory compliance, and participant safety .

Clinical Research Responsibilities:

• Serve as a Principal Investigator (PI), Sub-Investigator, or physician investigator depending on qualifications and study requirements.
• Provide physician oversight for psychiatric clinical trials.
• Evaluate prospective research participants and determine medical and psychiatric eligibility.
• Review and confirm study inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Conduct protocol-required psychiatric evaluations and research visits.
• Participate in and oversee the informed consent process.
• Perform or oversee protocol-required psychiatric assessments and rating scales.
• Review medical histories, concomitant medications, laboratory results, ECGs, and other study-related clinical data.
• Evaluate, document, and follow adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs).
• Assess the clinical significance and study-treatment relationship of adverse events when required.
• Ensure appropriate participant safety monitoring throughout study participation.
• Review and sign source documentation, study records, and investigator documentation as required.
• Maintain appropriate investigator oversight and ensure adherence to study protocols.
• Identify, document, and appropriately address protocol deviations.
• Collaborate with clinical research coordinators and other research personnel.
• Work with pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), monitors, central laboratories, pharmacies, and other study vendors.
• Participate in site qualification, site initiation, monitoring, closeout, and sponsor visits.
• Attend investigator meetings and study-specific training.
• Review and respond to clinical and research data queries.
• Support regulatory documentation and investigator responsibilities.
• Maintain compliance with ICH-GCP, FDA regulations, IRB requirements, HIPAA, study protocols, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Maintain required research training and study-specific certifications.
• Participate in quality assurance and research compliance activities.
• Contribute to the development and expansion of Lighthouse Psychiatry's clinical research program.

Principal Investigator Opportunities:

Qualified physicians may have opportunities to assume Principal Investigator responsibilities , including:

• Overall medical and scientific oversight of assigned clinical trials.
• Ensuring studies are conducted according to the approved protocol, investigator agreement, GCP, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintaining appropriate delegation and oversight of research personnel.
• Reviewing participant eligibility and safety.
• Reviewing safety reports and clinically significant findings.
• Ensuring appropriate documentation of protocol deviations and safety events.
• Providing oversight of investigational product-related clinical decisions.
• Participating in sponsor and CRO communications.
• Supporting regulatory inspections and research audits.
• Reviewing study performance, enrollment, retention, and data quality
• Maintaining appropriate investigator availability and supervision.

Research & Program Development Opportunities

Depending on experience and interest, opportunities may include:

• Principal Investigator development and mentorship.
• Industry-sponsored Phase II–IV psychiatric clinical trials.
• Investigator-initiated studies.
• Treatment-resistant depression research.
• Psychopharmacology research.
• Neuromodulation research.
• TMS and brain-stimulation research.
• Ketamine and emerging therapeutic research.
• Novel psychiatric medications and investigational therapeutics.
• Biomarker and neuroscience research.
• Research protocol development.
• Scientific presentations, abstracts, posters, and publications.
• Collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
• Collaboration with CROs, academic institutions, and research organizations.
• Development of new psychiatric clinical trial programs.

Required Qualifications:

• MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.
• Completion of an accredited Psychiatry residency.
• Board-Certified in Psychiatry.
• Active, unrestricted Arizona medical license.
• No state or federal sanctions on medical license.
• Active DEA registration or eligibility, when required by study responsibilities.
• Strong psychiatric diagnostic and clinical assessment skills.
• Ability to evaluate research participants and make independent medical safety decisions.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Commitment to participant safety, research integrity, and regulatory compliance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a Principal Investigator, Sub-Investigator, or clinical research investigator.
• Experience conducting psychiatric clinical trials.
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification or willingness to complete required training.
• Familiarity with FDA-regulated clinical research.
• Familiarity with IRB processes and human-subject research requirements.
• Experience with pharmaceutical or biotechnology-sponsored clinical trials.
• Experience working with CROs and clinical research monitors.
• Experience with psychiatric rating scales and structured research assessments.
• Research publications, presentations, or previous academic research experience.
• Interest in psychopharmacology, neuroscience, treatment-resistant depression, neuromodulation, or emerging psychiatric therapeutics.

Prior clinical research experience is preferred but not required. Psychiatrists with strong clinical experience and an interest in developing expertise as a clinical investigator are encouraged to apply.

What Lighthouse Psychiatry Offers:

• Dedicated clinical research-focused physician role.
• Opportunity to participate in innovative psychiatric clinical trials.
• Clinical research coordinator and administrative research support
• Opportunities to work with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO partners.
• Development pathway toward Principal Investigator (PI) responsibilities.
• Exposure to emerging psychiatric medications and therapeutic technologies.
• Opportunities for scientific collaboration and professional development.
• Potential participation in publications and research presentations.
• Flexible full-time or part-time structure.
• Potential research leadership opportunities as the program expands.

Ideal Candidate:

We are seeking a psychiatrist who is interested in advancing psychiatric treatment through clinical research and drug development . The ideal candidate combines strong psychiatric expertise with intellectual curiosity, attention to protocol and data quality, and a commitment to protecting research participants.

Psychiatrists interested in clinical trials, psychopharmacology, neuroscience, treatment-resistant depression, novel therapeutics, and Principal Investigator opportunities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lighthouse Psychiatry is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a resume/CV and brief cover letter outlining clinical interests and availability. Confirmed active Arizona licensure and compliance with state requirements are required prior to start date.

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