Finding Careers in Clinical Research Jobs in the Current Job Market

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We all know that the economic downturn has been bad for the job market. However, that fact doesn't make the need for good clinical research jobs any less pressing. If you're thinking about looking for a clinical research job, you'll need to know what you're getting into and you'll need to have a lot of information on these positions if you want to acquire one.

As competition rises, it can be hard to stand out. That’s why you’ll need to investigate each position you’re thinking about applying for, as well as know about the field in general. That will let you know what to expect and will help you gear your application appropriately. Here is some basic information for anyone trying to get a clinical research position.

In clinical research jobs, you will need a number of skills and will have to perform some unique tasks. The main goal of these jobs is systematically investigating the effects of drugs, materials, and other interventions on humans. This may involve surgery, gene therapy, and radiation techniques, which must be carefully observed. However, people in clinical research jobs often also need to look at prevention, diagnosis, detection, or other aspects. Quality of life and supportive care may be investigated, for instance.



Because of the various different clinical research jobs available, the experience and education requirements are highly variable. For some jobs, a Clinical Research Coordinator certification (CRC), or a Certified Clinical Research Professional certification (CCRP) is required. These certifications can be received from a number of different organizations, but the Society of Clinical Research Associates and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals are two of the most commonly requested certifications.

These types of certifications are not required if you’re looking for a lower-ranking clinical research job, however. Less experience is required for those positions. That’s because in order to get certifications of this type, you’ll need to take a certification exam and have a few years of experience in clinical research.

This kind of experience can come in a clinic setting, but it’s also possible to use pharmaceutical industry experience to fulfill this kind of requirement. People with this kind of experience and who have taken such an exam can usually expect to be compensated more for their work than people who have neither certification nor experience.

Of course, one way to get better clinical research positions when you don’t have certifications is to take a lower-level position and later attempt the certification exam. In many cases, you will either be promoted or given an increase in salary by your employer. This can make a big difference in your job and can help your career if you aren’t currently eligible for a certification.

Ranking and pay in clinical research jobs is determined based on complexity of duties as well as on the qualifications and responsibilities required for each position. That means that you’ll need to carefully study each position you’re thinking about applying for if you want to meet your financial requirements. Check out the benefits offered with each position, too. It can make a big difference in whether you pick a given position, and can even make some clinical research jobs with lower salaries more appealing than jobs which pay more.

The average clinical research scientist makes about $35,000 per year, though the numbers for a given job will vary. A clinical research associate, by comparison, averages closer to $53,000 per year. Those certifications and that experience can make a big difference.

The economic downturn may be causing layoffs and reduction of positions, but there will still be a need for clinical research professionals. To counteract the downsides of the current job search climate, you need to make yourself stand out. Look over your resume and decide what skills and experiences you have that will make you perfect for the clinical research job of your dreams; then expand upon it.

Remember, a good resume and interview are all about selling yourself to a prospective employer. Do it right, and you’ll have no trouble standing out from the crowd and landing the position you want. There are clinical research jobs out there waiting for you. You just have to be able and willing to find them, which takes a bit of work.

Flexibility is important in a bad economic climate, so think hard about what you want versus what you need. If you’re more willing to be flexible about job location, benefits, and other factors, you’ll have a better chance of getting one of these high-competition positions.

Of course, if something is a must-have, you shouldn’t compromise on it. You’ll only end up in a job that doesn’t fulfill your needs and is making you miserable. That’s not a good position for anyone, including the organization or facility that employs you. Think hard about what you want and need, and what you have to offer before you look for your next clinical research job. It’ll really help you as you continue on your job search.
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