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Clinical research scientist vs clinical research associate

The differences between clinical research scientists and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical research scientist and a clinical research associate. Additionally, a clinical research scientist has an average salary of $99,160, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.

The top three skills for a clinical research scientist include clinical research, clinical trials and clinical development. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Clinical research scientist vs clinical research associate overview

Clinical Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$99,160$62,966
Hourly rate$47.67$30.27
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs128,54794,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical research scientist do?

A clinical research scientist is responsible for assisting physicians in conducting laboratory research and examinations to identify diseases and establish treatment plans. They also inspect medical tools and equipment to prevent hazards and operational delays. A clinical research scientist must have excellent communication skills and extensive knowledge of the medical industry to provide the highest quality care services for the patients.

What does a clinical research associate do?

A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.

Clinical research scientist vs clinical research associate salary

Clinical research scientists and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Average salary$99,160$62,966
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $154,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research scientist and clinical research associate education

There are a few differences between a clinical research scientist and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:

Clinical Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical research scientist vs clinical research associate demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research scientists' and clinical research associates' demographics:

Clinical Research ScientistClinical Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 35.4% Female, 64.6%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 13.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research scientist and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Clinical research scientist example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage planning, implementation, conduct and reporting of assign early phase international clinical studies in oncology.
  • Facilitate IRB approval, when require.
  • Compile and submit reports to U.S. FDA.
  • Provide draft responses to FDA questions to senior management.
  • Resolve IRB issues and implement IRB mandate changes in the protocol with amendments.
  • Recruit investigators perform pre-study visits, negotiate budgets, initiate and monitor studies and verify data for accuracy and completeness.
  • Show more

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
  • Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
  • Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
  • Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
  • Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
  • Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.
  • Show more

Clinical research scientist vs clinical research associate skills

Common clinical research scientist skills
  • Clinical Research, 11%
  • Clinical Trials, 7%
  • Clinical Development, 6%
  • Data Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 5%
  • Clinical Data, 5%
Common clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%

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