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Things About a Clinical Research Career

In terms of developing new systems and occupations, as well as from the perspective of Research & Development (R&D), Clinical Trial Management Services (GCP), clinical research is still relatively new and very active. Given that it belongs to the pharmaceutical sector, it ranks third among inventions, only after the transportation and technology sectors.


All of these factors make a job in clinical research sound quite alluring, but before you start browsing the huge internet for information, there are eight things you need to understand.


Where can you start a career in clinical research?


Here you have 2 main options: on one hand in medical institutions and on the other hand with a sponsor (pharma companies, biotech) or with a CRO.


  1. a medical unit

If you are a physician, you can become a Sub-Investigator (SI) and later advance to the position of Principal Investigator by joining a clinical research team in a hospital or other medical facility (PI). As a study nurse, you can play a crucial part in the progress of studies being conducted on-site.


It's okay if you don't have any medical training; you can still work as a Clinical Study Coordinator (CSC). For this position, having communication skills, organisational skills, and the ability to plan and carry out projects are more crucial than having any medical training.


2. start working with a Sponsor or Contract Research Organization (CRO)


Where there is a wide range of jobs. which I had listed in the earlier post (see link here): Clinical Trial Lead (CTL), Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA), Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Auditor, and Regulatory Officer are some of the terms used in clinical trials. Download the CLINICAL RESEARCH CAREER JOURNEY: FROM ASSISTANT TO MANAGER from this page to learn more about each position (de introdus link aici).


Now that you are more aware of where to apply and on which position you can begin working in clinical research, all that is left to do is fill out an application for the position you want.



3.How can you career grow in clinical research?


Yes, professional experience and opportunity must match, but you must want to advance professionally and acquire new skills.


After entering the clinical research sector, you should be aware that no job or career progression is guaranteed. We are all aware that outside forces beyond our control have an impact on both our personal and professional lives.


Relating this to your career, it is possible for this to grow vertically or horizontally.


4.What jobs can you apply for in the beginning if you have no experience?


Do your research and determine which position best suits you before thinking about applying for it.

Examine the responsibilities of each of these roles; ideally, a job description would be available to assist you in determining whether the position is a good fit for you.


The majority of positions are for Clinical Research Associates, which can be a great option and is how I got my start in clinical research. However, you should be aware that this position requires 60% travel and just 40% office work. The percentage of time spent visiting the sites can occasionally be much higher, particularly when the study is first initiated at the medical centres.


If you choose an office-based position, you can start as a clinical study coordinator in a hospital or as a clinical trial associate, in-house clinical research associate, regulatory officer (entry level), or in a CRO or pharmaceutical business.


If you are a nurse, you can begin as a study-nurse, and if you are a doctor, you can begin as a sub-investigator.


In conclusion, one of the following jobs might be applied for to begin a career in clinical studies:


  • Office-based Clinical Trial Assistant;


  • Clinical Research Associate: Better pay but at least 60% travel;


  • Associate in Internal Clinical Research, 99% office-based;


  • regulatory officer with a desk job;


  • Hospital or medical facility-based clinical study coordinator.


5.How secure is a job in clinical research?


Clinical research positions were open throughout the 2008–2010 financial crisis, and the Covid-19 outbreak increased the need for skilled workers. Never believe a claim until you can back it up with facts! So let's check it out.


The number of studies registered annually on this platform has climbed from 17.347 in 2010 to 36.742 in 2020, more than double, according to the clinicaltrials.gov website. That explains why there is a growing need for skilled workers in this industry.

Global clinical trials market size was estimated at $44.3 billion in 2020, and it is anticipated to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2021 to 2028.



What further information about the pay for a particular profession do you require? The compensation might double from entry level to expert or senior level; hence, from CRA Junior (Entry Level) to Senior CRA, the gross salary increases by 80% to 110% in just 5 years!


These are the essential details about a job in clinical research.


Zenovel has a global presence, with offices in India, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia and China. Over the course of 17 years, the company has successfully monitored and audited over 1700 clinical studies worldwide.



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