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Clinical trials associate vs research project coordinator

The differences between clinical trials associates and research project coordinators 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 trials associate and a research project coordinator. Additionally, a clinical trials associate has an average salary of $74,952, which is higher than the $48,683 average annual salary of a research project coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical trials associate include informed consent, patients and clinical operations. The most important skills for a research project coordinator are data collection, patients, and project management.

Clinical trials associate vs research project coordinator overview

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Project Coordinator
Yearly salary$74,952$48,683
Hourly rate$36.03$23.41
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,48767,800
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical trials associate do?

A clinical trial associate is in charge of coordinating and executing clinical trial operations, ensuring to meet all goals within budgets and deadlines. Their responsibilities revolve around preparing and processing necessary documentation and certifications, submitting requirements to government agencies, distributing essential materials within the clinical teams, and reviewing study sheets, ensuring every paperwork is complete and accurate. Furthermore, as a clinical trial associate, it is vital to lead while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

What does a research project coordinator do?

Research Project Coordinators take on a lead role in maintaining and creating processes that support the execution of a research project. Their duties include researching governance requirements, preparing for contract bidding, manage budgeting of a project to meet a specified timeline, and present findings of a project to all stakeholders involved. The Research Project Coordinator will also support administrative tasks, including producing corporate reports, organizing committee meetings, and developing a research database to track active milestones achieved.

Clinical trials associate vs research project coordinator salary

Clinical trials associates and research project coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Project Coordinator
Average salary$74,952$48,683
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $121,000Between $36,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAMiddletown, CT
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyDorsey & WhitneyDignity Health
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalProfessional

Differences between clinical trials associate and research project coordinator education

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

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Project Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBiologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Clinical trials associate vs research project coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between clinical trials associates' and research project coordinators' demographics:

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Project Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 25.3% Female, 74.7%Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials associate and research project coordinator duties and responsibilities

Clinical trials associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage trial master files and study document to meet GCP/ICH and internal guidelines for records retention.
  • Audit TMF to ensure all require regulatory documentation are collected and lead.
  • Work closely with investigators to recruit eligible patients to clinical protocols, manage data collection and preparation.
  • Preform ICF customization in accordance with ICH guidelines, GCP s and local regulatory requirements.
  • Support the setup, data entry and QC of the system to ensure accuracy and quality of data.
  • Monitor clinical data and resolve inconsistencies according to FDA regulations and ICF guidelines.
  • Show more

Research project coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage study documentation throughout study life cycle including IRB annual renewals, modifications, patient study charts and regulatory binder.
  • Recommend administrative revisions to IRB submit studies including inform consent documents.
  • Demonstrate small molecule are protective against DNA damage in mouse model of melanoma.
  • Conduct analysis using SPSS which result in developing a new software for students to selecting college.
  • Conduct primary research through interviews with Boston area travelers and analyze raw data into reports via SPSS.
  • Maintain FDA correspondence and government documentation.
  • Show more

Clinical trials associate vs research project coordinator skills

Common clinical trials associate skills
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Clinical Operations, 6%
  • FDA, 6%
  • Consent Forms, 5%
  • TMF, 5%
Common research project coordinator skills
  • Data Collection, 12%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Public Health, 5%
  • IRB, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 4%

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