Jonathan Mackinnon

Building protocols with purpose

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

About

Protocols are integral to a trial's success. In the current research landscape, protocol development teams need to develop a protocol that not only aligns with regulatory requirements but is also flexible, attractive to participants, and designed to provide actionable data. I lead Parexel's protocol development best practice and strategies for advancing data-informed decision making. To achieve this I lead a team of protocol specialists that work with trial teams to develop protocols that are clear, precise, practical and consistent. Digital protocols are also in focus as organizations look towards more efficient clinical trial conduct against a backdrop of rising complexity and cost. I am the former business lead for Parexel's Structured Content Authoring platform (2021-2024) and am now leading protocol digitization efforts, including vendor assessments and internal tool deployments. I also teach the next generation of researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on Protocol Development and Trial Designs.

Experience

  • Parexel (8 yrs 5 mos)
    • Director of Protocol Development
      Apr 2026 - Present · 4 mos

      • Clinical Trial Protocol Specialist Team Lead • Protocol digitization lead • Supporting clients with protocol development, ICH M11 adoption, standards & process

    • Associate Director
      Jul 2022 - Apr 2026 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      • Clinical Trial Protocol Specialist Team Lead • Protocol digitization lead (e.g., AI tool integration, vendor assessments) • Lead subject matter expert (SME) for protocol regulatory documents, master protocol/complex innovative design studies, decentralized clinical trials. • Former business owner for Parexel's Structured Content Authoring platform. • Protocol SME team lead for multiple client partnerships. • Understand the challenges clients face in getting therapies to market and propose solutions how to overcome such challenges. • Use awareness of opportunities in the industry to present innovative new trial and drug development strategies to clients. • Build and maintain collaborative client relationships, to cultivate efficient, productive, and professional working partnerships that promote satisfaction and confidence. Act as a trusted advisor to clients. • Actively cultivate a broad range of internal and external networked partners that enable more effective collaboration with other business elements to fully leverage the Parexel brand capabilities.

    • Principal Medical Writer
      Jan 2020 - Jun 2022 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      In addition to Senior Medical Writer responsibilities: • Project leader for Structured Content Management solution implementation • Co-lead for a Parexel Complex Innovative Design Expertise Group • Protocol Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Medical Writing Services (MWS) • Protocol SME for a full service partnership • Master Protocol/Complex Innovative Design study SME • Decentralised Trial Design SME

  • London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London (7 yrs 2 mos)
    • Module Organiser (Protocol Development) + Distance Learning Programme Tutor (Trial Designs)
      Jun 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

      Supporting PG Cert/PG Dip/MSc Clinical Trial student learning and contributing to the teaching and assessment process

    • Distance Learning Programme Tutor (Protocol Development + Trial Designs)
      Mar 2021 - Jun 2022 · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Distance Learning Programme Tutor (Protocol Development)
      Jun 2019 - Mar 2021 · 1 yr 10 mos

  • TFS Trial Form Support ()
    • Medical Writer
      Dec 2013 - Feb 2018 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      • Develop, review and coordinate the production of clinical documents for regulatory submission (Europe and US), in accordance with standard operating procedures and international guidelines. • Scientific review of Medical Communication material (Europe and Canada). • Review of documents prepared by other writers before internal or external distribution, including both copyediting and content review. • Act as the primary client contact under departmental supervision and as the Medical Writing representative on assigned project teams. • Provide proactive support to Project Management for planning efficient work plans and timelines for Medical Writing deliverables. • Provide Medical Writing input for other departmental deliverables including case report forms (CRFs), data validation plans (DVPs), and statistical analysis plans (SAPs). • Provide training and guidance to junior Medical Writers. • Contribute to the development of in-house guidance documents, templates, and standard operating procedures.

    • Associate Medical Writer
      Jun 2013 - Nov 2013 · 6 mos

      • Develop clinical documents for regulatory submission, in accordance with standard operating procedures and international guidelines. • Scientific review of Medical Communication material (Europe and Canada). • Review of documents prepared by other writers before internal or external distribution, including both copyediting and content review.

  • Scientific Writer at Freelance Scientific Writer
    2011 - 2013 · 2 yrs

    Scientific & Editorial review of manuscripts, Ph.D. theses, and research grants Grant writing

  • Max-Planck-Institute of Neurobiology ()
    • Research Associate
      2012 - 2012 · Less than a year

      A continuation of the work carried out as a Ph.D. student

    • Ph.D. Student
      2007 - 2012 · 5 yrs

      Development of a novel Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Biosensor using molecular biology and cell culture validation.