medical research career options

Clinical Researcher

Navigating a Career as a Clinical Research Professional: Where to Begin?

Clinical Researcher June 9, 2020

Clinical Researcher—June 2020 (Volume 34, Issue 6)

PEER REVIEWED

Bridget Kesling, MACPR; Carolynn Jones, DNP, MSPH, RN, FAAN; Jessica Fritter, MACPR; Marjorie V. Neidecker, PhD, MEng, RN, CCRP

Those seeking an initial career in clinical research often ask how they can “get a start” in the field. Some clinical research professionals may not have heard about clinical research careers until they landed that first job. Individuals sometimes report that they have entered the field “accidentally” and were not previously prepared. Those trying to enter the clinical research field lament that it is hard to “get your foot in the door,” even for entry-level jobs and even if you have clinical research education. An understanding of how individuals enter the field can be beneficial to newcomers who are targeting clinical research as a future career path, including those novices who are in an academic program for clinical research professionals.

We designed a survey to solicit information from students and alumni of an online academic clinical research graduate program offered by a large public university. The purpose of the survey was to gain information about how individuals have entered the field of clinical research; to identify facilitators and barriers of entering the field, including advice from seasoned practitioners; and to share the collected data with individuals who wanted to better understand employment prospects in clinical research.

Core competencies established and adopted for clinical research professionals in recent years have informed their training and education curricula and serve as a basis for evaluating and progressing in the major roles associated with the clinical research enterprise.{1,2} Further, entire academic programs have emerged to provide degree options for clinical research,{3,4} and academic research sites are focusing on standardized job descriptions.

For instance, Duke University re-structured its multiple clinical research job descriptions to streamline job titles and progression pathways using a competency-based, tiered approach. This led to advancement pathways and impacted institutional turnover rates in relevant research-related positions.{5,6} Other large clinical research sites or contract research organizations (CROs) have structured their onboarding and training according to clinical research core competencies. Indeed, major professional organizations and U.S. National Institutes of Health initiatives have adopted the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency as the gold standard approach to organizing training and certification.{7,8}

Recent research has revealed that academic medical centers, which employ a large number of clinical research professionals, are suffering from high staff turnover rates in this arena, with issues such as uncertainty of the job, dissatisfaction with training, and unclear professional development and role progression pathways being reported as culprits in this turnover.{9} Further, CROs report a significant shortage of clinical research associate (CRA) personnel.{10} Therefore, addressing factors that would help novices gain initial jobs would address an important workforce gap.

This mixed-methods survey study was initiated by a student of a clinical research graduate program at a large Midwest university who wanted to know how to find her first job in clinical research. Current students and alumni of the graduate program were invited to participate in an internet-based survey in the fall semester of 2018 via e-mails sent through the program listservs of current and graduated students from the program’s lead faculty. After the initial e-mail, two reminders were sent to prospective participants.

The survey specifically targeted students or alumni who had worked in clinical research. We purposefully avoided those students with no previous clinical research work experience, since they would not be able to discuss their pathway into the field. We collected basic demographic information, student’s enrollment status, information about their first clinical research position (including how it was attained), and narrative information to describe their professional progression in clinical research. Additional information was solicited about professional organization membership and certification, and about the impact of graduate education on the acquisition of clinical research jobs and/or role progression.

The survey was designed so that all data gathered (from both objective responses and open-ended responses) were anonymous. The survey was designed using the internet survey instrument Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), which is a secure, web-based application designed to support data capture for research studies. REDCap provides an intuitive interface for validated data entry; audit trails for tracking data manipulation and export procedures; automated export procedures for seamless data downloads to common statistical packages; and procedures for importing data from external sources.{11}

Data were exported to Excel files and summary data were used to describe results. Three questions solicited open-ended responses about how individuals learned about clinical research career options, how they obtained their first job, and their advice to novices seeking their first job in clinical research. Qualitative methods were used to identify themes from text responses. The project was submitted to the university’s institutional review board and was classified as exempt from requiring board oversight.

A total of 215 survey invitations were sent out to 90 current students and 125 graduates. Five surveys were returned as undeliverable. A total of 48 surveys (22.9%) were completed. Because the survey was designed to collect information from those who were working or have worked in clinical research, those individuals (n=5) who reported (in the first question) that they had never worked in clinical research were eliminated. After those adjustments, the total number completed surveys was 43 (a 20.5% completion rate).

The median age of the participants was 27 (range 22 to 59). The majority of respondents (89%) reported being currently employed as clinical research professionals and 80% were working in clinical research at the time of graduate program entry. The remaining respondents had worked in clinical research in the past. Collectively, participants’ clinical research experience ranged from less than one to 27 years.

Research assistant (20.9%) and clinical research coordinator (16.3%) were the most common first clinical research roles reported. However, a wide range of job titles were also reported. When comparing entry-level job titles of participants to their current job title, 28 (74%) respondents reported a higher level job title currently, compared to 10 (26%) who still had the same job title.

Twenty-four (65%) respondents were currently working at an academic medical center, with the remaining working with community medical centers or private practices (n=3); site management organizations or CROs (n=2); pharmaceutical or device companies (n=4); or the federal government (n=1).

Three respondents (8%) indicated that their employer used individualized development plans to aid in planning for professional advancement. We also asked if their current employer provided opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Among academic medical center respondents, 16 (67%) indicated in the affirmative. Respondents also affirmed growth opportunities in other employment settings, with the exception of one respondent working in government and one respondent working in a community medical center.

Twenty-five respondents indicated membership to a professional association, and of those, 60% reported being certified by either the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA).

Open-Ended Responses

We asked three open-ended questions to gain personal perspectives of respondents about how they chose clinical research as a career, how they entered the field, and their advice for novices entering the profession. Participants typed narrative responses.

“Why did you decide to pursue a career in clinical research?”

This question was asked to find out how individuals made the decision to initially consider clinical research as a career. Only one person in the survey had exposure to clinical research as a career option in high school, and three learned about such career options as college undergraduates. One participant worked in clinical research as a transition to medical school, two as a transition to a doctoral degree program, and two with the desire to move from a bench (basic science) career to a clinical research career.

After college, individuals either happened across clinical research as a career “by accident” or through people they met. Some participants expressed that they found clinical research careers interesting (n=6) and provided an opportunity to contribute to patients or improvements in healthcare (n=7).

“How did you find out about your first job in clinical research?”

Qualitative responses were solicited to obtain information on how participants found their first jobs in clinical research. The major themes that were revealed are sorted in Figure 1.

Figure 1: How First Jobs in Clinical Research Were Found

Some reported finding their initial job through an institution’s job posting.

“I worked in the hospital in the clinical lab. I heard of the opening after I earned my bachelor’s and applied.”

Others reported finding about their clinical research position through the internet. Several did not know about clinical research roles before exploring a job posting.

“In reviewing jobs online, I noticed my BS degree fit the criteria to apply for a job in clinical research. I knew nothing about the field.”

“My friend recommended I look into jobs with a CRO because I wanted to transition out of a production laboratory.”

“I responded to an ad. I didn’t really know that research could be a profession though. I didn’t know anything about the field, principles, or daily activities.”

Some of the respondents reported moving into a permanent position after a role as an intern.

“My first clinical job came from an internship I did in my undergrad in basic sleep research. I thought I wanted to get into patient therapies, so I was able to transfer to addiction clinical trials from a basic science lab. And the clinical data management I did as an undergrad turned into a job after a few months.”

“I obtained a job directly from my graduate school practicum.”

“My research assistant internship [as an] undergrad provided some patient enrollment and consenting experience and led to a CRO position.”

Networking and referrals were other themes that respondents indicated had a direct impact on them finding initial employment in clinical research.

“I received a job opportunity (notice of an opening) through my e-mail from the graduate program.”

“I was a medical secretary for a physician who did research and he needed a full-time coordinator for a new study.”

“I was recommended by my manager at the time.”

“A friend had a similar position at the time. I was interested in learning more about the clinical research coordinator position.”

“What advice do you have for students and new graduates trying to enter their first role in clinical research?”

We found respondents (n=30) sorted into four distinct categories: 1) a general attitude/approach to job searching, 2) acquisition of knowledge/experience, 3) actions taken to get a position, and 4) personal attributes as a clinical research professional in their first job.

Respondents stressed the importance of flexibility and persistence (general attitude/approach) when seeking jobs. Moreover, 16 respondents stressed the importance of learning as much as they could about clinical research and gaining as much experience as they could in their jobs, encouraging them to ask a lot of questions. They also stressed a broader understanding of the clinical research enterprise, the impact that clinical research professional roles have on study participants and future patients, and the global nature of the enterprise.

“Apply for all research positions that sound interesting to you. Even if you don’t meet all the requirements, still apply.”

“Be persistent and flexible. Be willing to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities. This will help develop your own niche within a group/organization while creating opportunities for advancement.”

“Be flexible with salary requirements earlier in your career and push yourself to learn more [about the industry’s] standards [on] a global scale.”

“Be ever ready to adapt and change along with your projects, science, and policy. Never forget the journey the patients are on and that we are here to advance and support it.”

“Learning the big picture, how everything intertwines and works together, will really help you progress in the field.”

In addition to learning as much as one can about roles, skills, and the enterprise as a whole, advice was given to shadow or intern whenever possible—formally or through networking—and to be willing to start with a smaller company or with a lower position. The respondents stressed that novices entering the field will advance in their careers as they continue to gain knowledge and experience, and as they broaden their network of colleagues.

“Take the best opportunity available to you and work your way up, regardless [if it is] at clinical trial site or in industry.”

“Getting as much experience as possible is important; and learning about different career paths is important (i.e., not everyone wants or needs to be a coordinator, not everyone goes to graduate school to get a PhD, etc.).”

“(A graduate) program is beneficial as it provides an opportunity to learn the basics that would otherwise accompany a few years of entry-level work experience.”

“Never let an opportunity pass you up. Reach out directly to decision-makers via e-mail or telephone—don’t just rely on a job application website. Be willing to start at the bottom. Absolutely, and I cannot stress this enough, [you should] get experience at the site level, even if it’s just an internship or [as a] volunteer. I honestly feel that you need the site perspective to have success at the CRO or pharma level.”

Several personal behaviors were also stressed by respondents, such as knowing how to set boundaries, understanding how to demonstrate what they know, and ability to advocate for their progression. Themes such as doing a good job, communicating well, being a good team player, and sharing your passion also emerged.

“Be a team player, ask questions, and have a good attitude.”

“Be eager to share your passion and drive. Although you may lack clinical research experience, your knowledge and ambition can impress potential employers.”

“[A] HUGE thing is learning to sell yourself. Many people I work with at my current CRO have such excellent experience, and they are in low-level positions because they didn’t know how to negotiate/advocate for themselves as an employee.”

This mixed-methods study used purposeful sampling of students in an academic clinical research program to gain an understanding of how novices to the field find their initial jobs in the clinical research enterprise; how to transition to a clinical research career; and how to find opportunities for career advancement. There are multiple clinical research careers and employers (see Figure 2) available to individuals working in the clinical research enterprise.

Figure 2: Employers and Sample Careers

Despite the need for employees in the broad field of clinical research, finding a pathway to enter the field can be difficult for novices. The lack of knowledge about clinical research as a career option at the high school and college level points to an opportunity for broader inclusion of these careers in high school and undergraduate curricula, or as an option for guidance counselors to be aware of and share with students.

Because most clinical research jobs appear to require previous experience in order to gain entry, novices are often put into a “Catch-22” situation. However, once hired, upward mobility does exist, and was demonstrated in this survey. Mobility in clinical research careers (moving up and general turnover) may occur for a variety of reasons—usually to achieve a higher salary, to benefit from an improved work environment, or to thwart a perceived lack of progression opportunity.{9}

During COVID-19, there may be hiring freezes or furloughs of clinical research staff, but those personnel issues are predicted to be temporary. Burnout has also been reported as an issue among study coordinators, due to research study complexity and workload issues.{12} Moreover, the lack of individualized development planning revealed by our sample may indicate a unique workforce development need across roles of clinical research professionals.

This survey study is limited in that it is a small sample taken specifically from a narrow cohort of individuals who had obtained or were seeking a graduate degree in clinical research at a single institution. The study only surveyed those currently working in or who have a work history in clinical research. Moreover, the majority of respondents were employed at an academic medical center, which may not fully reflect the general population of clinical research professionals.

It was heartening to see the positive advancement in job titles for those individuals who had been employed in clinical research at program entry, compared to when they responded to the survey. However, the sample was too small to draw reliable correlations about job seeking or progression.

Although finding one’s first job in clinical research can be a lengthy and discouraging process, it is important to know that the opportunities are endless. Search in employment sites such as Indeed.com, but also search within job postings for targeted companies or research sites such as biopharmguy.com (see Table 1). Created a LinkedIn account and join groups and make connections. Participants in this study offered sound advice and tips for success in landing a job (see Figure 3).

Table 1: Sample Details from an Indeed.Com Job Search

Note: WCG = WIRB Copernicus Group

Figure 3: Twelve Tips for Finding Your First Job

• Seek out internships and volunteer opportunities
• Network, network, network
• Be flexible and persistent
• Learn as much as possible about clinical research
• Consider a degree in clinical research
• Ask a lot of questions of professionals working in the field
• Apply for all research positions that interest you, even if you think you are not qualified
• Be willing to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities
• Take the best opportunity available to you and work your way up
• Learn to sell yourself
• Sharpen communication (written and oral) and other soft skills
• Create an ePortfolio or LinkedIn account

Being willing to start at the ground level and working upwards was described as a positive approach because moving up does happen, and sometimes quickly. Also, learning soft skills in communication and networking were other suggested strategies. Gaining education in clinical research is one way to begin to acquire knowledge and applied skills and opportunities to network with experienced classmates who are currently working in the field.

Most individuals entering an academic program have found success in obtaining an initial job in clinical research, often before graduation. In fact, the student initiating the survey found a position in a CRO before graduation.

• Sonstein S, Seltzer J, Li R, Jones C, Silva H, Daemen E. 2014. Moving from compliance to competency: a harmonized core competency framework for the clinical research professional. Clinical Researcher 28(3):17–23. doi:10.14524/CR-14-00002R1.1. https://acrpnet.org/crjune2014/
• Sonstein S, Brouwer RN, Gluck W, et al. 2018. Leveling the joint task force core competencies for clinical research professionals. Therap Innov Reg Sci .
• Jones CT, Benner J, Jelinek K, et al. 2016. Academic preparation in clinical research: experience from the field. Clinical Researcher 30(6):32–7. doi:10.14524/CR-16-0020. https://acrpnet.org/2016/12/01/academic-preparation-in-clinical-research-experience-from-the-field/
• Jones CT, Gladson B, Butler J. 2015. Academic programs that produce clinical research professionals. DIA Global Forum 7:16–9.
• Brouwer RN, Deeter C, Hannah D, et al. 2017. Using competencies to transform clinical research job classifications. J Res Admin 48:11–25.
• Stroo M, Ashfaw K, Deeter C, et al. 2020. Impact of implementing a competency-based job framework for clinical research professionals on employee turnover. J Clin Transl Sci.
• Calvin-Naylor N, Jones C, Wartak M, et al. 2017. Education and training of clinical and translational study investigators and research coordinators: a competency-based approach. J Clin Transl Sci 1:16–25. doi:10.1017/cts.2016.2
• Development, Implementation and Assessment of Novel Training in Domain-based Competencies (DIAMOND). Center for Leading Innovation and Collaboration (CLIC). 2019. https://clic-ctsa.org/diamond
• Clinical Trials Talent Survey Report. 2018. http://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/node/351341/done?sid=15167
• Causey M. 2020. CRO workforce turnover hits new high. ACRP Blog . https://acrpnet.org/2020/01/08/cro-workforce-turnover-hits-new-high/
• Harris PA, Taylor R, Thielke R, Payne J, Gonzalez N, Conde JG. 2009. Research electronic data capture (REDCap): a metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support. J Biomed Inform 42:377–81.
• Gwede CK, Johnson DJ, Roberts C, Cantor AB. 2005. Burnout in clinical research coordinators in the United States. Oncol Nursing Forum 32:1123–30.

A portion of this work was supported by the OSU CCTS, CTSA Grant #UL01TT002733.

Bridget Kesling, MACPR, ( [email protected] ) is a Project Management Analyst with IQVIA in Durham, N.C.

Carolynn Jones, DNP, MSPH, RN, FAAN, ( [email protected] ) is an Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing at The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Co-Director of Workforce Development for the university’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science, and Director of the university’s Master of Clinical Research program.

Jessica Fritter, MACPR, ( [email protected] ) is a Clinical Research Administration Manager at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an Instructor for the Master of Clinical Research program at The Ohio State University.

Marjorie V. Neidecker, PhD, MEng, RN, CCRP,  ( [email protected] ) is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at The Ohio State University Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy.

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In 2020, the global Clinical Trials market was estimated at $44.3 billion, and this is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.7% between 2021 and 2028. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) also recorded that between April 2020 and March 2021, 1,390,483 participants took part in Clinical Research across England, which is almost double the numbers from the previous year.

In this article, we look at 10 different career paths within Clinical Research, with an outline of some of the most common responsibilities for each role…

Clinical Trials Manager / Administrator

Clinical Trials Managers / Administrators are responsible for the administrative aspects of clinical trials. Their duties often include:

• Preparing essential documents and ensuring documentation is kept private and confidential.
• Attending safety and study start-up meetings and coordinating investigator meetings.
• Managing clinical trial supplies.
• Reviewing trial protocols and identifying any protocol issues.
• Processing and tracking payments to investigator sites.

More information on the role of a Clinical Trials Manager can be found here.

Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

CRAs are responsible for organising and administering clinical trials and are typically involved in all stages of a trial, from identifying investigator sites to closing down the trial. The responsibilities of a CRA can include:

• Identifying suitable facilities to be used as trial sites and selecting an investigator to be responsible for the site.
• Briefing trial investigators and instructing clinicians on how the trial should be conducted.
• Writing up clinical trial methodologies and designing trial materials.
• Monitoring the progress of clinical trials and preparing final reports.
• Designing and authenticating data collection forms and managing regulatory applications/approvals.

More information on the role of a Clinical Research Associate can be found here.

Clinical Project Manager

Clinical Project Managers are responsible for managing the workers involved in clinical research projects, ensuring protocol compliance whilst coordinating projects to meet clinical objectives. The main responsibilities of a Clinical Project Manager may include:

• Overseeing the enrolment of subjects into clinical trials by assessing the eligibility of potential subjects and tracking the enrolment status of suitable participants.
• Ensuring compliance with protocols and informing investigators of any protocol issues.
• Monitoring study activities to ensure the study remains on schedule and is kept within allocated budgets.
• Maintaining records of study activity, including records of side effect data.

More information on the role of a Clinical Project Manager can be found here. 

Pharmacovigilance / Drug Safety Officer

Pharmacovigilance Officers, also known as Drug Safety Officers, are responsible for ensuring that new and existing drugs on the market are safe for patients, and for identifying any issues with these drugs. They may be responsible for:

• Monitoring the effectiveness of new drugs and pharmaceutical products already on the market.
• Monitoring adverse effects to new or existing drugs and flag any early warning signs of these to minimise risk.
• Conducting interviews with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Completing safety update reports and conducting safety audits.

Study Start Up Associate

Study Start Up Associates are integral in making sure that clinical research sites are well prepared to begin a new trial. They can be involved in the following:

• Executing start-up activities before site activation including preparing consent forms, identifying new investigator sites, allocating study budgets, and supporting patient recruitment and retention.
• Ensuring physicians working at research sites are prepared to begin trials.
• Obtaining appropriate ethics and regulatory approvals and ensuring research operations comply with protocols.
• Analysing study start-up metrics to ensure efficiency and identifying areas for development, including in terms of start-up timelines.

More information on the role of a Study Start Up Associate can be found here.

Clinical Research Nurse

Clinical Research Nurses help to improve patient care by supporting patients through their treatment, ensuring they are both safe and fully informed of the study activities. Some of their main responsibilities could include:

• Helping to develop new treatments and care pathways for patients.
• Aiding data collection activities.
• Ensuring patients give full consent prior to being enrolled in clinical trials and making sure patients fully understand all aspects of the study before doing so.
• Assisting the principal investigator with pre-study preparation and study start-up activities, including preparing protocols for regulatory and ethical approval, and attending investigator meetings.
• Arranging appointments for potential and enrolled trial participants.

More information on the role of a Clinical Research Nurse can be found here.

Clinical Research Scientist

Clinical Research Scientists are responsible for undertaking medical research in research labs to find more effective ways of diagnosing and curing a variety of illnesses. They may also be responsible for:

• Interacting with patients taking experimental treatments to understand the effectiveness of these treatments and to investigate new ways of improving their wellbeing.
• Working with other medical staff to advise on how to use products and equipment already on or coming to the market.
• Analysing data to further develop treatments and test any new methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Clinical Investigator

Clinical Investigators ensure that the investigation is meeting research expectations and is conducted in line with the investigator statement, investigational plan, and all necessary regulations. By doing so, they protect the welfare of clinical trial participants as well as the integrity of the resulting data. Their responsibilities can include:

• Meeting specific guidelines and/or requirements set by applicable regulatory and ethical bodies.
• Conducting or supervising research to ensure the investigational plan and corresponding study protocols are being followed.
• Notifying relevant bodies of any changes in research activity, including any unanticipated obstacles that may introduce risk to study participants.
• Ensuring informed consent has been obtained from all participants.
• Maintaining records of the clinical studies and preparing reports to be sent to investigation sponsors and other relevant bodies.

Patient Recruitment Specialist

Patient Recruitment Specialists are responsible for recruitment-related activities. Their main responsibilities include:

• Recruiting participants in line with protocol-specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Tracking recruitment progress and developing new and existing recruitment strategies.
• Contacting potential participants to assess eligibility and to schedule site visits.
• Ensure patient information is accurately collected and entered into the relevant database and is protected.

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians provide statistical support to clinical studies and work across all study phases. Typically, their work can include:

• Obtaining clinical data from the Clinical Data Manager to undertake necessary statistical analyses. Interpreting the meanings of statistical outputs resulting from different analyses.
• Assisting the Clinical Trial Manager in writing up the final technical paper for the study, sharing findings from statistical analyses.
• Analysing safety and efficacy data and applying statistical methods to develop the science of data analysis.

More information on the role of a Biostatistician can be found here.

Current Opportunities in Clinical Research…

Take a look at current opportunities in Clinical Research here and set up job alerts to be notified of the latest opportunities in the industry.

* Article updated March 2024

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Research career paths

Careers in pharmaceutical research

Education, training, and funding opportunities in medical research

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How to make a career in medical research?

• Career guides

Starting a career in medical research

If you have the intellectual and emotional resilience, also if you wish to contribute to the body of knowledge in medical sciences then you are a right candidate for a career in Medical Research. Devising and conducting experiments, investigating the epidemiological basis of a disease, working in collaboration with a team, ability to question intricate complexities of genome and proteome and effective written and oral communication skills are the chief qualities of an inborn medical researcher. If the following description sounds like you, then you are probably well suited for a career as a medical researcher.

Qualifications to become a medial researcher

The roadmap to medical researcher is complex because it’s a profession that demands distinctive skills and expertise along with mandatory formal education. The simplest formal degree requirement is minimum Masters or a Ph.D. For an outstanding career as a medical researcher, a Ph.D. will help you to go the distance in an academic career. There is right now an extraordinarily extensive overabundance of post-doctoral partnerships battling for an exceptional set number of lasting scholarly positions. Having said that, accomplishing a PhD in a science subject will stand you in great stead for various research positions. You can pursue a career in medical research by obtaining a formal education in either biological sciences or medicine however; medicine can broaden your options. Furthermore, after earning a formal education in either biology or medicine, the next milestone towards the development of a career in medical research is participating in a research-based internship. In most graduate schools, participating in a research internship and undertaking a research project is the part of the exclusively designed curriculum. This opportunity will allow you to get a chance to be mentored by a physician or research scientist where you can work in collaboration with the team on the ongoing research project.

In order to escalate to the position of the medical researcher, it is integral to complete an advanced degree program in either science or medicine. According to the US Bureau Labor Statistics (BLS), postgraduates and graduates with dual undergraduate degrees become successful candidates for the job positions.

After completing your advanced education, as a medical researcher you can start your aspiring and a challenging career with entry-level positions of medical research associate. As an associate, you are required to assist a scientist in devising, planning and conducting research trials. You can add something extraordinary to your resume by earning credentials offered to research professionals by regulatory bodies. Credential based certifications are not only going to prepare you for some verifiable skills needed in the career but will also aid you in advancing your career path to medical research.

The job role

As a medical researcher, it is your utmost responsibility to conduct research to improve the health status and longevity of the population. The career revolves around clinical investigations to understand human diseases and rigorous lab work. As a medical researcher, formal education will not suffice. As a developing medical researcher, you need to have effective communication, critical thinking, decision-making, data collecting, data analysing and observational skills. These skill sets will enable you to create a competitive edge in the research industry.

Your interest in scientific exploration and a desire to provide a breakthrough in medical knowledge will help you to explore and solve some unknown mysteries associated with complex diseases.

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10 Top Careers in Biomedical Science

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From unprecedented situations like the COVID-19 pandemic to the continued aging of the worldwide population, there are many pressing medical needs today that require the expertise of biomedical science professionals.

This increased demand has led to a myriad of exciting opportunities for those with the specific knowledge and skill sets required to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the practice. 

Read on to learn more about exactly what the practice of biomedical science entails, the variety of job opportunities available to those with master’s- and PhD-level training, and how you can kickstart your career in biomedical science.

What is Biomedical Science?

Biomedical science combines the study of human physiology, human pathology, and pharmacology to draw conclusions and make necessary advances toward solving significant health problems facing society.  

“It’s really an all-encompassing term,” says David Janero , director of the pharmaceutical sciences graduate program at Northeastern. “It goes from wet-lab research to address problems associated with therapeutics, disease mechanisms, and other related areas, [and] invokes disciplines such as pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, and so on.”

The many facets of this work allow aspiring biomedical scientists the opportunity to tailor their careers to fit their unique interests—a benefit of this particular field that has led to increased interest among those with a passion for science and medicine.

Pursuing a Career in Biomedical Science

Despite the many scientific applications of biomedical science, Janero explains that the jobs available within this industry today are not limited to those those based in a lab. The field has expanded to include many business and clinical roles, as well as those rooted in research and science. “I think the general perception is that biomedical science is mainly a wet-lab discipline,” he says. “But there really is a diversity of opportunities in this field.”

Did You Know: A “ wet-lab ” is a laboratory in which scientists handle chemicals or other “wet” materials in order to conduct experiments. A “dry-lab,” on the other hand, is a location where scientists draw conclusions about realities that occur naturally in the world by replicating them using computers or mathematics.

A biomedical device must go through a series of phases—ranging from development and testing to sales and marketing—before it can be implemented as a medical solution. For that reason, “it’s not uncommon to have a project team…[made up of] laboratory technicians, salespeople, marketing people, legal people, as well as scientists of various disciplines,” Janero says.

Advance Your Career with a Master’s in Biomedical Science

Learn how to transform your career in an industry that’s transforming the world.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Biomedical science professionals also have the unique opportunity to work in the private or public sector, allowing them to further tailor their career opportunities to fit their particular interests.

Yet no matter which applications of biomedical science one is looking to pursue, professionals must start by obtaining an advanced degree in the field. As Janero explains, “solid training in the biomedical sciences at the PhD or master’s level provides a kind of necessary flexibility, because it calls upon the student to develop a number of skills not limited to those required at the bench.” 

This includes the honing of critical soft skills, including:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration

The combination of these skills with practical hands-on abilities is vital for success in all of today’s biomedical science roles. 

Below, we explore the top career options available for those at both biomedical scientists with either a master’s or a PhD in the field.

Top Biomedical Science Careers for Master’s Degree Holders

1.biomedical laboratory technician.

Salary : $64,653 per year

Responsibilities: Biomedical laboratory technicians hold a wide array of responsibilities, primarily within a wet-lab setting. According to Janero, they participate in:

• Drug discoveries
• Profiling novel compounds as potential drugs
• Synthesizing and purifying new chemical matter

And much more.

2. Senior Clinical Research Associate

Salary: $105,988 per year

Responsibilities: Clinical research associates provide advanced technical support during the clinical research process, including:

• Handling equipment
• Presenting findings

Due to the private nature of this work, these individuals are often held to high ethical standards and must strictly follow established processes to prevent unwanted contamination of collected data or patient records.

3.Biomedical Scientist

Salary: $66,646 per year

Responsibilities: Biomedical scientists at this level are responsible for the following:

• Designing experiments
• Implementing experiments in a research environment
• Publishing articles in academic journals on their findings

They may work independently or under the supervision of PhD-level scientists.

4. Senior Medical Writer

Salary: $92,890 per year

Responsibilities: Medical writers create manuals and other training or educational materials for readers both with and without medical backgrounds. Their writing must translate between audiences, speaking to medical professionals, patients, and even, at times, commercial audiences, speaking to multiple groups, including:

• Medical professionals
• Commercial audiences

They often conduct the research needed to develop these materials and thus require a robust understanding of the biomedical science field as a whole. 

5. Senior Medicinal Chemist

Salary: $115,282 per year

Responsibilities: Medical chemists create the chemicals and compounds that are used to develop helpful medicinal drugs. This often includes the following responsibilities:

• Making calculated adjustments to chemical compounds
• Studying each chemical’s reaction to each other and its environment
• Leveraging that information to understand how a drug will behave in the human body

Medicinal chemists also need to be able to take notes effectively so they can easily share their findings with others.

Biomedical Science Careers for PhD Holders

6. tenure track professor of biomedical science.

Salary: $104,319 per year

Responsibilities: A full time, tenure track professor of biomedical science teaches cohorts of graduate and undergraduate students about a variety of biomedical science practices. Many professors at this level also continue their hands-on work in the university’s labs. They may do the following:

• Mentor students
• Oversee their research
• Launch university-funded projects or trials

Since they work with a variety of students and professors, communication skills are vital for this role. 

7. Medical Sales Director

Salary: $107,755 per year

Responsibilities: Medical sales representatives combine a vast knowledge of biomedical science practices with the advanced communication skills of a salesman. Their primary responsibility is to sell medical devices to private companies and clinics, including:

• Tracking down potential customers
• Developing a pitch of their products
• Addressing any posed questions or concerns

Medical sales directors may also mentor entry-level sales reps on their teams.

8. Senior Biomedical Scientist

Salary: $112,157 per year

Responsibilities: The title of senior biomedical scientist is an entry-level wet-lab role for PhD-holders. These individuals spend much of their time carrying out research hands-on, reporting their findings to those higher up within their organizations.

9. Principal Investigator

Salary: $104,024 per year

Responsibilities: Principal investigators take the lead in laboratory research. They are typically responsible for the following:

• Setting parameters for experiments
• Outlining the steps for testing
• Overseeing a team of scientists who then conduct the experiments

According to Janero, at this stage, a principal investigator “basically becomes an internal guide and advisor to your group as well as to the entity you’re working in,” which can range from a university department to a pharmaceutical company. 

10. Pharmaceutical Marketing Manager

Salary: $117,011 per year

Responsibilities: Pharmaceutical or biomedical marketing managers oversee the strategies and messaging of drugs and other medical devices within the marketplace. This might include:

• Working on branding
• Advertising campaigns
• Leading generation practices

These individuals often act as the liaison between the marketing director and all other marketing representatives on staff.

Take the Next Step

For professionals hoping to land one of these specialized careers within the biomedical science field, a graduate degree is an effective next step. Consider your career goals, then start exploring the master’s and PhD programs in biomedical science offered at top universities like Northeastern.

“Our programs don’t educate with any particular outcome or career bias in mind, other than making sure you are as well-equipped as possible in your educational area of focus,” Janero says. “We just want to make sure our students are market-ready and competitive in their unique fields.”

Ready to take the next step in advancing your biomedical science career? Explore the master’s in biomedical science and PhD in biomedical science programs at Northeastern, and get in touch with an enrollment coach today for advice on which might be the best fit for your goals.

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Medical Laboratory Scientist

What does a medical laboratory scientist do.

A medical laboratory scientist (MLS), also known as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist, works to analyze a variety of biological specimens. They are responsible for performing scientific testing on samples and reporting results to physicians.  

Medical laboratory scientists perform complex tests on patient samples using sophisticated equipment like microscopes. The data they find plays an important role in identifying and treating cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other medical conditions. It is estimated 60 to 70 percent of all decisions regarding a patient's diagnosis, treatment, hospital admission, and discharge are based on the results of the tests medical laboratory scientists perform.

Video: Behind the scenes: Medical Laboratory Scientist

Scope of practice

Medical laboratory scientists collaborate very closely with physicians and medical laboratory technicians in diagnosing and monitoring disease processes, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of therapy. Areas of medical laboratory training include microbiology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, transfusion medicine, toxicology, and molecular diagnostics. 

Medical laboratory scientists have a wide variety of responsibilities and duties, including:

• Examining and analyzing blood, body fluids, tissues, and cells
• Relaying test results to physicians
• Utilizing microscopes, cell counters, and other high-precision lab equipment
• Cross-matching blood for transfusion
• Monitoring patient outcomes
• Performing differential cell counts looking for abnormal cells to aid in the diagnosis of anemia and leukemia
• Establishing quality assurance programs to monitor and ensure the accuracy of test results
• Overseeing the work of a medical laboratory technician

Medical laboratory scientist vs. medical laboratory technician

While similar, there are a few key differences between a medical lab scientist and a medical lab technician. They both work in the lab and perform tests on biological samples, however, a medical lab scientist typically has more education and is able to perform more involved lab work. A medical lab technician performs more of the routine lab work and is often supervised by a medical lab scientist.

Medical laboratory scientist vs. medical laboratory assistant

A medical laboratory assistant is a subgroup of medical laboratory technician. They are responsible for preparing biological specimens, recording information, and perform more of the lab maintenance tasks such as cleaning equipment and stocking supplies. A medical laboratory scientist will work with a medical laboratory assistant by analyzing their prepared specimens and relaying information for them to record.

Work environment

Medical lab scientists work in hospitals, clinics, forensic or public health laboratories, as well as pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology companies, veterinary clinics, or research institutions. Depending on the setting, their work hours may vary; but typically labs are run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This allows for flexibility in scheduling.

Medical laboratory scientists spend the majority of their time on their feet, analyzing test results in the lab.   

Becoming a medical laboratory scientist

Successful medical lab scientists are effective communicators with a sound intellect and interest in science and technology. Excellent eye-hand coordination, dexterity, and visual acuity are important to skillfully perform and analyze tests. 

Individuals who love science and research, but prefer to have little-to-no interaction with patients, would be a good fit for the medical laboratory scientist career.

Higher education requirements

After obtaining a high school diploma (or the equivalent), most will go on to obtain some level of higher education and training in order to become a medical laboratory scientist.

Common higher education requirements for medical laboratory scientist jobs include:

• Completing a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or clinical laboratory science. A bachelor’s degree in a science or health-related field (e.g. chemistry or microbiology) may also be considered.
• Completing a clinical laboratory program or internship through a hospital-based program or as part of their education
• National certification as a medical technologist (MT), clinical laboratory scientist (CLS), or medical laboratory scientist (MLS)
• Previous experience in a healthcare setting

Certification and licensing

Most employers require medical laboratory scientists to obtain certification through an accrediting body, such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) . After passing the credentialing exam, medical laboratory scientists (MLS) can practice under the credentials of MLS(ASCP)CM.

Licensure by state may also be required.

Career opportunities and outlook

Job growth and security are high for medical laboratory technicians and scientists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , there is currently a shortage of medical lab technicians and scientists in many parts of the country which guarantees ample employment opportunities and sometimes higher salaries for graduates. With the volume of laboratory tests continuing to increase due to both population growth and the development of new types of tests, job opportunities are expected to increase faster than average with over 26,000 new positions expected to be available by 2030.

With additional training and experience, a medical lab scientist can become a department lead or lab manager. Others may seek specializations to advance their careers. Typically, a medical lab technician will progress to a medical lab scientist with more training.

Medical laboratory scientist programs at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers several programs and rotations to further your education and prepare you for a career as a medical laboratory scientist, medical laboratory assistant, or medical laboratory technician.

• Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Rotation (Arizona)
• Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Rotation (Florida)
• Medical Laboratory Science Program (Florida and Minnesota)
• Medical Laboratory Technician Clinical Rotation (Florida)

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Biomedical research roles and career pathways

Use this overview to:

• explore career pathways in biomedical research, within academia and industry
• learn about the many and diverse roles of those involved in research and innovation.

Explore an interactive version of ‘biomedical research roles and career pathways’ on the UK Government Web Archive.

Download a printable overview of research career pathways and research funding types.

Read about funding options at each career stage.

Career pathways and role descriptions

An overview of the roles and typical career pathways in biomedical research and innovation.

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship combines practical training in a job with study, leading to a nationally recognised qualification.

From an apprenticeship you could progress to a BSc or research technician/officer role.

An undergraduate degree, usually lasting either three or four years if studied full-time.

From a BSc, you could progress to an MSc, PhD (full- or part-time) or research technician/officer.

A postgraduate degree, usually lasting one to two years if studied full time. Courses combine taught and research elements, focusing on a particular area of interest in more detail.

From an MSc, you could progress to a PhD (full- or part-time).

A postgraduate research degree, usually lasting three or four years, if undertaken full time. Involves independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field. Normally assessed by a written thesis and oral examination.

From a PhD you could progress to postdoc. From PhD (part-time) you could progress to postdoc or research technician/officer role.

A postdoctoral researcher is a person conducting supervised research after completion of a PhD. The role can provide an opportunity to develop independence, strengthen technical skills and focus research interests.

From postdoc you could progress to:

• junior career fellowship
• second/additional postdoc(s)
• research/technical specialist
• laboratory/facility manager
• intermediate career fellowship
• tenure track/lectureship.

Fellowships are funding for individual researchers. They allow you to devote time to your own research and provide support for you to develop as a research leader. Fellowships often include career development opportunities like training, mentorship and international placements.

From junior career fellowship you could progress to intermediate career fellowship or tenure track/lectureship.

Research technician

A person with specialist technical expertise and knowledge, using their practical, analytical and management skills to contribute to research.

From research technician/officer, you could progress to BSc, PhD (part-time), senior research technician/officer, or laboratory/facility manager.

Senior postdoc

An experienced postdoctoral researcher conducting supervised research. Likely to be taking on senior responsibilities, for example in research management, supervision, mentoring, and paper and grant writing.

From senior postdoc, you could progress to research/technology specialist.

Research/technology specialist

Team scientists within industry or academia who maintain and develop technologies and methodologies to better address biomedical questions.

From research/technology specialist, you could progress to laboratory/facility manager or senior research/technology specialist.

Senior research/technology specialist

A senior team scientist, in industry or academia, who maintains and develops technologies and methodologies to better address biomedical questions.

From senior research/technology specialist, you could progress to laboratory/facility manager or research/technology specialist director.

Tenure track

A pathway to promotion and academic job security.

From the tenure track, you could progress to senior career fellowship, or group leader/associate professor.

Lectureship

An academic post, with teaching, research or administrative responsibilities.

From lectureship, you could progress to senior career fellowship, or group leader/associate professor.

Laboratory/facility manager

A person managing all day-to-day operations of a laboratory or facility, including managing budgets, procurement and technical maintenance, and providing technical expertise and training.

From laboratory/facility manager, you could progress to research/technology specialist, senior research/technology specialist, or research/technology specialist director.

Group leader

A researcher responsible for the leadership and management of their own programme, team and resources.

From group leader, you could progress to principal research fellow, or professor/director.

Associate professor

An academic post, one rank lower than a professor. In the UK the person holding this post may also go by the title ‘reader’ or ‘senior lecturer’.

From associate professor, you could progress to principal research fellow or professor/director.

Principal research fellow

A competitively won award, enabling protected time to undertake independent research. This is accessible at different career stages.

From principal research fellow, you could progress to professor/director.

A senior academic post, providing academic leadership within a university or research institute.

A senior management post responsible for leading and implementing policy and strategy.

Career profiles

Read about some of the career paths people have taken in the career profiles section .

Last updated: 15 January 2024

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American Society for Microbiology

Exploring career options in medical laboratory science.

Dec. 12, 2022

• Neil Greene, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor and director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at the University of Rhode Island.
• Wilson Vientos, M.S., MT(ASCP)SM, microbiology supervisor at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System.
• Justine Chelette, MLS(ASCP), a teacher in the health department at Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College and a clinical microbiologist at Rhode Island Hospital.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

Could medical laboratory science be the right fit for you.

Getting Started

• Medical Lab Professional
• Clinical & Public Health Microbiology
• Career Conversations

Author: ASM Clinical Microbiology Mentoring Subcommittee

Author: Neil Greene, Ph.D.

Author: Wilson Vientos, M.S., MT(ASCP)SM

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JAMA Network Open Health Equity Editorial Fellowship

The application deadline has passed.

Apply now for the JAMA Network Open Health Equity Editorial Fellowship

Application Deadline June 28, 2024

In July of 2023, JAMA Network Open launched a new editorial fellowship, the Health Equity Editorial Fellowship. The mission of the program is to engage promising early-career faculty in the editorial process to advance research and scholarship that addresses the needs of all communities and to expand diversity among editorial board members and researchers reviewing manuscripts across the scientific community.

Fellows will learn about editorial and publishing processes by attending the editorial team’s manuscript meetings and participating in discussions about research study design, data validity, novelty, and potential impact. Fellows will observe and participate in management of manuscripts through the review process and will participate in critical analysis of research manuscripts. Fellows will conduct reviews of manuscripts in their own field of inquiry. Fellows will have an opportunity to (co)author both reviews and a commentary or editorial.

Who should apply

• Six applicants will be selected per year to participate in the fellowship. Applicants should be early career faculty (no more than 10 years as faculty) with an interest in health equity scholarship.
• The fellowship is a year-long program that will start in August 2024 and end in July 2025.
• All programming is virtual.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Fellows will participate in monthly 90-minute workshops focused on such topics as completing reviews of manuscripts, ethical issues in publishing, statistical considerations of manuscripts, among others.
• Fellows will attend morning meetings with the editorial team to discuss manuscripts.
• Fellows will be paired with an editorial team member for mentorship throughout the fellowship.
• Fellows will be invited to submit reviews on manuscripts in their field of expertise, and to co-author a commentary where appropriate.
• Fellows should be prepared to dedicate 3 hours per week on fellowship-related activities.

Application Details

Deadline for application to the 2024-2025 fellowship is June 28, 2024. To apply, please send:

• an updated CV,
• a short bio, and
• a cover letter with a response of no more than 500 words to the following question: “Why are you interested in this fellowship at this time in your career and what do you hope to gain and contribute?”

to Dr Monica Vela at [email protected]

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Deciding on a Career in Medicine

New section.

A basic overview of what it takes to become a doctor.

Should I become a doctor?

Think about what kind of future appeals to you. Do you like challenges? Are you interested in science and how the body works? Do you care deeply about other people, their problems, and their pain? Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy learning? Are you intrigued by the ways medicine can be used to improve life?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, chances are you have the right personality for a career in medicine. But, there’s more to consider. Pursuing a career as a doctor is a long and intense journey. Here are some steps you can take next to further explore whether being a doctor is the right choice for you:

• Talk to a career counselor or pre-health advisor to learn more about the physician career path.  
• Get medical related experience , which may include shadowing a doctor, volunteering in a medical setting, or working as an EMT or medical scribe. (Hands-on experience is one of the most effective ways to decide if a career in medicine is right for you!)
• Consider the answers to the questions below.

What is a doctor’s job like?

Physicians support and manage the health care of people of all ages. They take medical histories, perform physical examinations, conduct diagnostic tests, recommend and provide treatment, conduct research, and advise patients on their overall health and well-being. While there are many different types of physicians, they can usually be divided into three broad categories:

• Primary care physicians are the doctors patients usually visit most frequently. They treat a wide range of illnesses and regularly provide preventive care, and they also enjoy long-term relationships with their patients. Pediatricians, family practitioners and general internists are primary care physicians.
• Surgeons perform operations to treat diseases and repair injuries.
• Specialists have expertise related to specific diseases as well as body parts, organs, and systems. Cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists, and ophthalmologists are examples of specialists. The AAMC’s Careers in Medicine website contains information about various specialties in medicine

How much education does it take to become a doctor?

Becoming a doctor requires a serious educational and financial commitment. It typically takes  11 to 16 years to complete your education, including four years of college (undergraduate school), four years of medical school, and anywhere from three to eight years of training in a specific specialty area (i.e., residency training), depending on which specialty you choose to pursue. In order to maintain a medical license, doctors are also required to continue taking courses and learning about advancements in their field throughout their career.

What is the lifestyle and salary like?

While salaries for physicians are among the highest of all occupations, the work hours can be long and unpredictable. Many doctors work more than 60 hours a week. They may also have to respond to emergencies and be on call for their patients. Work hours vary depending on the type, size and location of practice.

Salaries  vary depending on where physicians live and the type of medical specialty they practice.

Check out  these resources to find out more about how to prepare for a career in medicine.