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Clinical research scientist vs senior clinical research associate

The differences between clinical research scientists and senior 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 senior clinical research associate. Additionally, a clinical research scientist has an average salary of $99,160, which is higher than the $95,878 average annual salary of a senior 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 senior clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and oncology.

Clinical research scientist vs senior clinical research associate overview

Clinical Research ScientistSenior Clinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$99,160$95,878
Hourly rate$47.67$46.10
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs128,54794,045
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
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 senior clinical research associate do?

A Senior Clinical Research Associate performs and coordinates all aspects of the clinical monitoring and site management process. They design, implement, and monitor clinical trials.

Clinical research scientist vs senior clinical research associate salary

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

Clinical Research ScientistSenior Clinical Research Associate
Average salary$99,160$95,878
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $154,000Between $64,000 And $142,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyMetaAcorda Therapeutics
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research scientist and senior clinical research associate education

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

Clinical Research ScientistSenior Clinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborDuke University

Clinical research scientist vs senior clinical research associate demographics

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

Clinical Research ScientistSenior Clinical Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 35.4% Female, 64.6%Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8%
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, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 11.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research scientist and senior 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.
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Senior clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage a consultant to review scientific support and create dossiers on each product that make health claims in the EU.
  • Interact with FDA and other regulatory authorities to manage and facilitate approval of regulatory submissions.
  • Monitor U.S. sites in accordance with ICH and GCP guidelines.
  • Maintain investigators and subjects files, review investigators files for compliance with GCP and FDA regulations, review drug utilization records.
  • Verify informed consent procedures and protocol requirements base on applicable regulatory requirements to ensure protection of study patients.
  • Provide site management for both therapeutic and supportive care oncology protocols that are complex and require knowledge in advance therapeutic areas.
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Clinical research scientist vs senior 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 senior clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 6%
  • Oncology, 5%
  • CRA, 5%
  • Site Management, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%

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