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.
Clinical research scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real clinical research scientist resumes:
- 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.
- Optimize formulations to improve bioavailability and to lower toxicity.
- Retrieve data from electronic medical records and enter protocol mandate medical data into EDC systems.
Clinical research scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Clinical Research Scientists are proficient in Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, and Clinical Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Clinical Research Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Clinical Research, 11%
Assisted with the administration of clinical research projects, such as recruiting investigators, collecting investigator documentation and site management.
- Clinical Trials, 7%
Coordinated, implemented and managed clinical trial activities related to operation of the AastromReplicell System prototype at clinical trial sites.
- Clinical Development, 6%
Led data-driven evaluation of clinical development opportunities in additional therapeutic indications.
- Data Management, 5%
Collaborate and support operational activities as need be, including data management and clinical operations.
- Oncology, 5%
Supervised and managed planning, implementation, conduct and reporting of assigned early phase international clinical studies in oncology.
- Clinical Data, 5%
Reviewed clinical data output for clinical study reports.
"clinical research," "clinical trials," and "clinical development" are among the most common skills that clinical research scientists use at work. You can find even more clinical research scientist responsibilities below, including:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a clinical research scientist to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "natural sciences managers lead research teams and therefore need to work well with others in order to reach common goals." Additionally, a clinical research scientist resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills as liaison between site personnel and clients. "
Leadership skills. Many clinical research scientist duties rely on leadership skills. "natural sciences managers must be able to organize, direct, and motivate others," so a clinical research scientist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways clinical research scientist responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "take a leadership role in planning of cra training during the investigator meetings and provide cra training during the investigator meetings. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for clinical research scientists to perform their duties. For an example of how clinical research scientist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "natural sciences managers use scientific observation and analysis to find answers to complex technical questions." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a clinical research scientist: "resolved irb issues and implemented irb mandated changes in the protocol with amendments. ".
Time-management skills. For certain clinical research scientist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "time-management skills." The day-to-day duties of a clinical research scientist rely on this skill, as "natural sciences managers must be able to perform multiple administrative, supervisory, and technical tasks while ensuring that projects remain on schedule." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what clinical research scientists do: "maintained team focus on nda submission time lines. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in clinical research scientist job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what clinical research scientists do. Clinical research scientist responsibilities rely on this skill because "natural sciences managers must be able to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences, such as scientists, policymakers, and the public." You can also see how clinical research scientist duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "partnered with regional monitor team leaders to maximize clarity of team-wide communications and ensure gcp compliance. "
The three companies that hire the most clinical research scientists are:
- AstraZeneca16 clinical research scientists jobs
- Houston Methodist3 clinical research scientists jobs
- Abbott2 clinical research scientists jobs
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Compare different clinical research scientists
Clinical research scientist vs. Study director
Technically, a study director carries out scientific responsibilities for protocol design or study plan and approval. Study directors supervise the gathering, analysis, interpretation, documentation, and reporting of data results. They handle the matriculation of students with regard to data management system development. Working with the computer systems team is part of their duties so they will be able to establish a data management system in tracking the study participants. They also support the toxicology team or group on different project teams.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, clinical research scientist responsibilities require skills like "clinical research," "clinical trials," "clinical development," and "data management." Meanwhile a typical study director has skills in areas such as "toxicology," "study design," "project management," and "data interpretation." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Study directors really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $87,246. Comparatively, clinical research scientists tend to make the most money in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $105,459.study directors tend to reach similar levels of education than clinical research scientists. In fact, study directors are 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Clinical research scientist vs. Senior program coordinator
A senior program coordinator is primarily in charge of spearheading and managing programs, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities revolve around participating in setting goals and objectives, securing funding and sponsors, overseeing the workforce, and even establishing guidelines. They may also facilitate communication within the company and liaise with external parties. Furthermore, as a senior program coordinator, it is essential to lead and encourage the teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real clinical research scientist resumes. While clinical research scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "clinical research," "clinical trials," "clinical development," and "data management," senior program coordinators use skills like "alumni," "excellent organizational," "powerpoint," and "sr."
In general, senior program coordinators achieve similar levels of education than clinical research scientists. They're 0.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 7.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Clinical research scientist vs. Study coordinator
Study coordinators oversee the entire process of clinical research from its inception to its completion. The coordinators make certain that human subjects are safe and well-protected. They identify the eligibility of the subject through clinical record screening and medical information extracting. It is their responsibility to maintain the regulatory documents based on the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They should develop skills and knowledge in clinical trials, study protocol, and patient care.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from clinical research scientist resumes include skills like "clinical research," "clinical development," "clinical operations," and "study protocols," whereas a study coordinator is more likely to list skills in "patients," "data entry," "research data," and "patient care. "
Study coordinators earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $50,589. Comparatively, clinical research scientists have the highest earning potential in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $105,459.When it comes to education, study coordinators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to clinical research scientists. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 15.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Clinical research scientist vs. Clinical trial manager
A clinical trial manager is primarily responsible for organizing and supervising clinical trials, ensuring to meet all goals while maintaining smooth operations. They are also responsible for collaborating with managers to set targets, hiring staff and participants for studies, and arranging the event. This planning includes its location and schedule. A clinical trial manager must also maintain documentation of all processes, liaise with scientists and key personnel, acquire necessary legal paperwork and certifications, and gather data accurately. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Types of clinical research scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
