Clinical research is an attractive industry for researchers in India, because it foresees tremendous growth and job opportunities not only for trained medical, pharmaceutical and paramedical professionals, but also for project management staff, regulatory authorities, government and the society at large. With the inflow of multinational players in Indian clinical research, the industry is poised to grow exponentially and open up new vistas of employment for a large number of people.

Candidates can build their careers in the fields of

• Contract Research Organizations (CRO)
• Pharmaceutical Industries
• Biotechnology Companies
• Medical Device Company
• Patient Recruitment Organisations (PRO)
• Clinical Data Management
• Regulatory Affairs
• Pharmacovigilance
• Medical Writing
• Central Lab
• Logistics and Courier Services
• Research Sites
• Auditing of Clinical Trials

“Industry” Clinical Research is conducted by the Pharmaceuticals, Biotech and Medical Device companies. They often outsource their work to Contract Research Organizations (CRO Company). The CRO perform the clinical trial on behalf of the company in collaboration with the Site / Hospital or SMO (Site Management Organization).

Options for research careers

Every clinical study is led by a principal investigator. These investigators can be researchers, professors, medical practitioners and scientists/ medical specialists. Besides them, clinical studies may also have a research team that may include nurses, social workers and other health care professionals.

Varied options are available in the field of Clinical Research, as follows:

• Clinical Research Associate
• Clinical Research Managers (CRM)
• Biostatisticians
• Clinical Research Investigator/ Physician
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Clinical Data Manager
• Data clerk
• Research Nurse
• Research training manager
• Research site manager
• Clinical Research Counsellor
• Clinical Research 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

Career opportunities in clinical research is based on the academic qualification of the individuals. Some common career paths in India are outlined below:

•Doctors – Doctors are appointed in Clinical trials as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Medical Advisor, Drug Developers, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Clinical Research Physician.

•Pharmacists, Life Science graduates, Science postgraduates in Biochemistry – They are appointed as Site Coordinators, Clinical Research Associate, Medical writers, Clinical Research Manager and Drug Development Associate, Biostatistician, Quality assurance

•Management Graduates (MBA) – MBA graduates sometimes enter areas of Business Development, Clinical Project Management, Clinical Research Management, Regulatory Affair Management.

•Nursing graduates – research Nursing, sometimes moving into other areas such as trial managers

IT professionals, Biostatistician, Engineers, postgraduates in Maths, Applied Maths, operational Research, Statistics – These professionals can find opening as Clinical Data Manager, Drug Development Associate

There are various growth opportunities along the way for those who are keen to learn. For those interested in serious research work, a PhD can be a good solution. There are post graduate degrees and diplomas offered by various colleges which come in handy to enhance one’s career prospects. Specialization in branches of pharmacy, life sciences, biochemistry will be useful. Studying further will also help one in bettering their current job profile.