Clinical Research was always a good career in India but nowadays because of expansion of companies in India and awareness of people towards clinical trials have made this field emerging and full of opportunities in India also. It is related to drugs and disease, as we all know disease is never going to end. Also because of environmental changes and lifestyle changes many new diseases are coming up and already many old diseases are there for which no permanent cure is there. Considering this fact this field is never going to be saturated , the only thing which changes will be the way it will work.
- Contract Research Organizations (CRO)
- Pharmaceutical Industries
- Biotechnology Companies
- Medical Device Company
- Patient Recruitment Organisations (PRO)
- Regulatory Affairs
- Pharmacovigilance
- Medical Writing
- Central Lab
- Research Sites
- Auditing of Clinical Trials
- Clinical Data Management
“Industry” is conducted by the Pharmaceuticals, Biotech and Medical Device companies. Often, they outsource their work to Contract Research Organizations (CROs). Clinical trials are carried out by the CRO on behalf of the pharmaceutical company in collaboration with the Site / Hospital or SMO (Site Management Organization).
There are other types of research (“non-industry”) that are conducted by universities, non-profit organizations, and charities. Sometimes, these groups may use CROs to perform some trial activities, but they may be more likely to run activities themselves, building local capacity for research.
Options in clinical research
Each clinical study is led by a principal investigator. Investigators may be researchers, professors, physicians, medical practitioners, and scientists. Nursing, social workers, and other health care professionals may also be part of clinical studies.
Varied options are available in the field of Studies, as follows:
- Clinical Research Associate
- Clinical Research Managers (CRM)
- Biostatisticians
- Research training manager
- Clinical Research Investigator/ Physician
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Data clerk
- Research Nurse
- Clinical Data Manager
- Research site manager
- CR Counsellor
- CR Auditor
- Pharmacovigilance Manager
- Quality Assurance (QA)
- Project Manager and Marketing Executives
- Account Directors
- Clinical Auditors
- Contract Managers
- Drug Safety Scientist
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Laboratory staff
- Translators
Below are a few common career paths in India:
Doctors are appointed as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Medical Advisor, Drug Developer, Regulatory Affairs Manager
Pharmacists, Life Scientists, Biochemists – They serve as Site Coordinators, CR Associates, Medical Writers, CR Managers, Drug Development Associates, Biostatisticians, Quality Assurance Officers, etc.
Management Graduates (MBA) – MBA graduates can work in Business Development, Clinical Project Management, Management, and Regulatory Affairs.
Nursing graduates – work in research nursing, sometimes as trial managers
IT professionals, Biostatistician, Engineers, postgraduates in Math, Applied Math, Statistics – Job openings include Clinical Data Manager and Drug Development Associate.
For those who are eager to learn, numerous opportunities for growth are available. Pursuing a PhD is a favorable option for individuals serious about research, and many colleges offer postgraduate degrees and diplomas to augment career prospects. Specializing in pharmacy, life sciences, or biochemistry can be highly beneficial. Not only does further study enhance one’s current job profile, but it also facilitates career advancement. For instance, a Master’s degree can open up avenues for becoming a Project Manager, while a PhD in a related field is necessary for aspiring Medical Directors. It is worthwhile to explore scholarships and grants to support PhD opportunities.
Companies like Career in Pharma provide job-oriented skill development programs designed to cater to the requirements of the business analytics, clinical research, pharmacovigilance, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors. These programs not only help students acquire essential skills but also offer assistance with job placements. By tapping into these resources, individuals can nurture their potential and achieve greater success in their chosen career paths.
