Career in Clinical Research

What: Clinical Research today is one of the fastest growing professions in India and offer excellent opportunities for graduates / post graduates from all medical, dental, homeopathic, ayurvedic, physiotherapy, pharmacy & pharmacology, life sciences, biotechnology domain and working professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. There are approx. 180 MNCs and Indian companies currently conducting clinical research in India, and large number of MNCs are increasing their outsourcing to India, due to several inherent advantages India offer. The other major advantage is that the industry is almost recession proof in India, as the current global economic condition would encourage companies to increase clinical research outsource to India.

Clinical research is a growing, Multi-billion dollar industry that provides a unique, challenging truly global and lucrative career options. The worldwide demand for clinical research is so vast that India, with its booming economy, skilled manpower and thick populace, is considered as a leading player in the arena of clinical research. India represents an upcoming global hub for clinical research industry.

There is high demand for trained professionals in this field; the pay package is impressive at the entry level. Fresher’s can expect a pay packet of around three lakhs or more per annum. If you have a master’s degree backing your qualifications, then the amount is almost doubles. Clinical research is an industry where experience counts, thus the longer you are in this field; higher the salary you can expect.

How: Optimally, training begins at the undergraduate level. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree holders in life sciences, includes nursing, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology or pharmacy are potential candidates for entry-level positions. Aspiring clinical researchers could pursue medical studies, pharmaceutical studies or life sciences and then enter a doctoral program in their field of interest.

A doctorate in public health is a good career choice for those who are interested in the incidence and prevalence of diseases. People who prefer medical research can pursue a doctorate in biological or physical sciences or might consider a postgraduate degree in medical science. Post-doctoral training in speciality research area would be available with medical research institutions/ laboratories and universities. Specialised training in clinical research or for clinical research jobs is mainly available as a part-time diploma course. Few postgraduate degree courses in clinical research are also available.

You need a B.Sc. degree to enter this field. Ideally the industry is looking for science graduates from pharmacy, medicine, life science and bioscience. Within bioscience too there are various other fields such as botany, zoology, biochemistry and genetics. Anybody who fulfils these criteria can join the industry.

Individuals with prior work experience of 2-3 years are preferred, but like the BPO industry, there is a dearth of trained professionals here too. Thus, with the right qualifications finding a job in clinical research should not be a problem.

Where: Clinical research is a growing, Multi-billion dollar industry that provides a unique, challenging truly global and lucrative career options. The worldwide demand for clinical research is so vast that India, with its booming economy, skilled manpower and thick populace, is considered as a leading player in the arena of clinical research. India represents an upcoming global hub for clinical research industry.

Institution: (see below)