Clinical Research Jobs

After several years of classes, exams, group and individual projects, thesis research and writing...you did it! You finally graduated! Congratulations and BRAVO!! It is a great achievement and I am sure you are proud to enter the community of life scientists!

And now that your studies are done and you have your Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life-sciences you are probably wondering, what next?! You likely started those studies as you wanted to have a meaningful future career, gain important insights into various diseases, learn more about human body and brain functions and dysfunctions (or maybe your motivation was something else?)...In any way, it is not easy to figure out your next challenge. Depending on your interest you might decide to continue your education, however you also might be ready to make your first step into the industry. And if you choose to start applying for jobs and you are wondering what is out there for you, I suggest to have a look at the list bellow were you can find a bit more about what kind of jobs a CRO might offer to you. For young graduates, without prior experience, I would definitely focus on jobs listed in numbers 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8. These jobs are also, one of the most popular jobs among the graduates (of course this list can be much longer and I suggest that you reach out for some specific questions either to me [email protected] or other recruiters from the industry).

Good luck with your job search and remember: Be realistic with your expectations, as we can't always immediately get the job we want, BUT DONT GIVE UP! Hard work and patience, pays off, I promise :)

Clinical Research Jobs:

1.??????Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Monitor: Healthcare professional, employed by a sponsor or CRO, who performs medical research, runs clinical trials to test drugs for their effectiveness and confirms that they're safe to put on the market for consumers; Working on blinded studies;

2.??????Unblinded Clinical Research Associate (uCRA): Healthcare professional, employed by a CRO, who owns all aspects of pharmaceutical site management, ensures accurate pharmacy documentation and investigational medicinal product (IMP) accountability. Makes sure blinded and unblinded site staff members can work in a coordinated manner without compromising the blinded monitors.

3.??????In-house Clinical Research Associate (in-house CRA): Individual employed by a CRO who serves as contact for project team and investigative sites. Assists CRAs with preparation for site visits (i.e. running reports, QC of files (checking for missing documents), resolving action items from previous visits). In charge to monitor site performance (not to go on site for the monitoring visit) and implement action plans for sites not meeting expectations, in conjunction with the CRA. Can develop career into an in-house CRA II and Sr.in-house CRA OR into a CRA or uCRA (see 1. And 2.);

4.??????Senior in-house Clinical Research Associate (Sr.in-house CRA): Similar responsibilities as in-house CRA (see 3.). Also the Sr. in-house CRA is responsible for assisting with ensuring quality and integrity of data, and additional study related activities to support the efforts of study team members. Can also have responsibilities as a Remote site monitor (duties a clinical trial monitor done remotely: phone calls and similar). Can also be a CRA (see 1.) who wants to stop traveling.

5.??????Clinical Trial Associate (CTA), Clinical Research/Trial Coordinator (CTC): Person who handles most of the administrative responsibilities of a clinical trial on behalf of a site investigator, acts as liaison between investigative site and sponsor, and reviews all data and records before a monitor's visit;

6.??????Investigational Product Specialist (IP Specialist): person managing the Investigational Medicinal Products (IMP), used in Clinical Trials organized by the Clinical Department of the pharmaceutical company, to ensure that shipment, storage, and handling of the IMP or other study-related material is done and documented according to the SOPs and local Law and Regulations.

7.??????Start-up Associate (Specialist): professional who ensures that all assigned maintenance and Start-up activities are on track and in accordance with client expectations, ICH/GCP, SOPs, budget, quality, and applicable laws and guidelines;

8.??????Drug Safety Associate: person responsible for assessing the safety of pharmaceuticals drugs once they're on the market;

9.??????Clinical Project Lead (CPL): responsible for the setup and progress of a clinical trial/study within the allocated countries, ensuring compliance with company quality standards and regulations in force, the forecasted timelines, milestones, and budget;

10.??Clinical Research Manager (CRM): overseeing all aspects of clinical trials that evaluate new medications and medical devices.

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