Careers Scientists – Clinical Research

This week we’re taking a look at the clinical research industry for some great advice if you’re thinking about moving into this field. Vicki Ronaldson, one of our staff writers,tells us all about her job and how she got there…

Clinical research scientists plan and conduct experiments to test new medicinal products or devices. Clinical research refers to experiments on humans, i.e. ‘clinical trials’. I work on all aspects of the clinical trial process from document design, to data analysis and report writing. I work in accordance with the protocol to conduct the trial according to the Sponsor’s requirements. Clinical trials can be either commercial (where the Sponsor is a pharmaceutical company or other commercial organization) or academic/non-commercial (where the Sponsor is a Health Board (such as NHS in the UK) or a University).

In either case, a major part of the clinical research scientist’s job is working to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, a regulatory requirement of all clinical research.

I originally went to University to study biochemistry, but after the first two years, I decided to make the switch to the MChem degree course in chemistry, which I was able to do without repeating any years as I’d done all the required chemistry modules. I then went on to do a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry, followed by a year working as a transferable skills demonstrator.

After this, I moved straight into my current role as a clinical research scientist, which I’ve been doing for 2 years now. In addition to my ‘day job’, I engage in science writing and teaching activities.

Because I work for a small company , the work is very varied, which is great. One day I could be working on a conference abstract, and the next day I could be manufacturing medicinal products for a clinical study. The applied nature of clinical research also makes it very interesting. My PhD was in synthetic chemistry, so to now be working at the other end of the drug development process—the clinical phase—is great.

The clinical/medical side of the job was new to me, so in that sense, it’s been a learning curve and I’m always learning new things or rediscovering old life science basics from undergraduate days gone by.

Well, I’m mainly out of the lab now, but I do carry out the manufacture of pharmaceutical formulations so I still get to keep the white coat! There is no undergraduate degree course in ‘Clinical Research’ and the scientists who work in this field come from a range of backgrounds, such as chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacology, and biological sciences as well as maths, statistics, and other physical sciences.

As with many jobs, getting that initial foot in the door can be difficult. Try to get experience of working in a regulated environment, either GCP (Good Clinical Practice) or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice). If you can get this, through either a University placement or voluntary work experience it should stand you in good stead.
The clinical research industry is huge, with a whole range of career opportunities. As well as clinical research scientists there are project managers, medical writers , regulatory affairs officers to name but a few. Check out all of these career options, as you may not have heard of some of these before. Clinical Research Associates (CRAs), sometimes called monitors, do not conduct the experiments but monitor the conduct of the trial by visiting sites and checking the paperwork.

This is a popular career choice but it involves a lot of traveling to study sites (which can be hospitals, doctors surgeries, clinics, etc.) so be prepared for this if you want to go down this route.
If you really want to see how clinical research works from the inside, you could always volunteer for a clinical trial yourself!…