Clinical trials associate vs senior research associate

The differences between clinical trials associates and senior 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 trials associate and a senior research associate. Additionally, a clinical trials associate has an average salary of $74,952, which is higher than the $72,618 average annual salary of a senior research associate.

The top three skills for a clinical trials associate include informed consent, patients and clinical operations. The most important skills for a senior research associate are patients, data analysis, and CRISPR.

Clinical trials associate vs senior research associate overview

	Clinical Trials Associate	Senior Research Associate
Yearly salary	$74,952	$72,618
Hourly rate	$36.03	$34.91
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	55,487	58,903
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

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 senior research associate do?

A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.

Clinical trials associate vs senior research associate salary

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

	Clinical Trials Associate	Senior Research Associate
Average salary	$74,952	$72,618
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $121,000	Between $51,000 And $102,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	Dorsey & Whitney	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Government

Differences between clinical trials associate and senior research associate education

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

	Clinical Trials Associate	Senior Research Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Clinical trials associate vs senior research associate demographics

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

	Clinical Trials Associate	Senior Research Associate
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7%	Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4%
Race ratio	Black 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, 13.4% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between clinical trials associate and senior research associate 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.

Senior research associate example responsibilities.

Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Develop, implement and optimize HPLC and ELISA assays in support of cell line and process development.
Provide purification service with rp-LCMS, np- HPLC, and MPLC, as well QC data including UPLC-MS and NMR.
Engineer and design a unique CRISPR cloning system for the group.
Apply the CRISPR technology to conduct gene editing in human IPSCs.
Develop an identity ELISA assay to detect the presence of competing and irrelevant drug products in manufacturing process.

Clinical trials associate vs senior research associate skills

Common clinical trials associate skills

Informed Consent, 9%
Patients, 7%
Clinical Operations, 6%
FDA, 6%
Consent Forms, 5%
TMF, 5%

Common senior research associate skills

Patients, 9%
Data Analysis, 6%
CRISPR, 6%
Molecular Biology, 5%
Cell Culture, 5%
Flow Cytometry, 4%

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Clinical Trials Associate
Clinical Trials Associate vs Senior Research Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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