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Working with people to test new medical treatments

Careers in clinical research involve conducting studies to evaluate new treatments, drugs, or medical devices, and aim to improve patient care and medical outcomes.

People who work in clinical research

  • Examine the safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices or diagnostic tests in human volunteers and patients in clinical trials.
  • May directly interact with patients and volunteers or take on supportive roles that document, analyze and report study results.
  • Have scientific curiosity and people skills and enjoy writing and managing details and logistics.
  • May work at a Research Hospital or Contract Research Organization (CRO)

Insights from Clinical Research

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  • My goal was to get into a career where I can make a great impact and help as many people as possible.  Clinical research was the perfect career field that would allow me to be part of something with great impact; that would help people not only in my community, but people around the world. I knew it was my path.

    Noailles Rodriguez

    MassBioEd CTA Apprentice Graduate and Clinical Trial Associate at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

  • I am passionate about rapidly bringing transformative cures for advanced and hard-to-treat cancer to the clinic. It gives me tremendous joy to observe firsthand when the patients respond to a novel cancer drug and motivates me to develop even better therapeutics.

    Sam Chatterjee Ph.D, MBA

    Clinical Biomarker Leader, Oncology at Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Highlighted Careers

  • Clinical Research Patient Liaison

    Close up of clinical research patient liaison wearing a phone headset working at a computer in an office.

    Clinical Research Patient Liaisons help enroll patients in clinical trials and handle scheduling and communication.

    Enrollment Specialist

    Apprenticeship, certificate, associate degree, or higher

    $51K – $73K/yr; $61K/yr Median total pay

    • Screen potential patients for clinical studies by doing interviews, reviewing medical records, or talking with staff at the site clinic.
    • Help enroll patients and schedule all patient appointments.
    • Manage all patient communication including reminder calls, rescheduling, etc.
    • Update patient records.

  • Data Entry Specialist

    Side portrait of data entry specialist working at a computer in an office setting.

    Data Entry Specialists are responsible for accurately entering and managing the data collected during a clinical trial.

    Medical Records Specialist

    Apprenticeship, certificate, associate degree, or higher

    $48K – $69K/yr; $58K/yr Median total pay

    • Enter patient information from charts and physician notes into electronic health record systems.
    • Review and cross-check data to make sure nothing is missing or inaccurate.
    • May help create reports based on the data entered.
    • Make sure patient and study data is kept private and secure, following ethical rules and regulations.

  • Clinical Trial Associate

    Portrait of a clinical trail associate wearing PPE standing in a laboratory. There are two other people in the background discussing information on a clipboard.

    Clinical Trial Associate (CTA) helps support the team running a clinical trial by keeping things organized and making sure everything runs smoothly.

    Clinical Trial Assistant, Clinical Research Assistant

    High school diploma with training program, associate degree or bachelor’s degree

    $60K – $90K/yr; $73K/yr Median total pay

    • Make sure all required documents, such as patient consent forms, study protocols, and regulatory paperwork, are properly filed and updated.
    • Collect and organize data from the trial, such as test results or patient responses.
    • Assist the clinical research team by preparing materials, setting up meetings, and helping with day-to-day tasks.
    • Track the supplies needed for the trial, such as medications or equipment, and make sure they are available when needed.

  • Clinical Research Coordinator

    Clinical research coordinator talking to a clinical trial participant in an office while holding a clipboard and pointing at information on a computer.

    Clinical Research Coordinators manage the details of a clinical trial, support the patients, and ensure the trial is completed safely and according to the rules.

    Study Coordinator

    Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or higher in a related field

    $58K – $85K/yr; $70K/yr Median total pay

    • Find and enroll patients who are eligible to take part in a clinical trial.
    • Make sure that patients follow the trial’s procedures and safety guidelines to protect their well-being.
    • Collect data from patients, like test results and medical information, and keep it organized for analysis.
    • Communicate with doctors, nurses, and other researchers to keep everyone updated on the trial’s progress.

  • Medical Writer

    Portrait of smiling medical writer working at computer.

    Medical writers create clear, accurate, and detailed documents for healthcare and clinical research.

    Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or higher in a related field

    $90K – $137K/yr; $110K/yr Median total pay

    • Present complex medical and scientific information in a way that’s easy to understand, for healthcare professionals, patients, or the public.
    • Prepare trial reports and documents required by government agencies (like the FDA) to approve new medical treatments.
    • Create content for websites, articles, patient brochures, and educational materials.
    • Make sure all information is correct, backed by evidence, and follows medical standards and ethical guidelines.

  • Laboratory Operations Specialist

    Side portrait of lab operations specialist writing in notebook standing in front of machines in lab setting.

    Laboratory Operations Specialists oversee the day-to-day operations of a laboratory to make sure everything is running smoothly by managing supplies, equipment, safety, and daily tasks.

    Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or higher in a related field

    $66K – $97K/yr; $80K/yr Median total pay

    • Make sure that laboratory supplies, equipment, and materials are properly organized, maintained, and stocked
    • Plan and organize work within the lab to minimize delays and maximize productivity.
    • Make sure the lab follows all industry standards, health, and safety regulations.
    • Oversee the maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment, coordinating repairs or replacements.

  • Clinical Trial Nurse

    Clinical Trial Nurse

     Clinical trial nurses help care for people in research studies that test new medicines, treatments, or medical devices to see if they are safe and work well. 

    Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator, Clinical Research Nurse

    Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in a related field of study

    $72K – $110K/yr; $89K/yr Median total pay

    • Work with doctors and researchers to follow the study plan. 
    • Care for the people who join the trial. They check vital signs, draw blood, give medication, and watch for side effects. 
    • Record data about the patients, such as how they feel, if the treatment is helping, and any side effects. 
    • Make sure the trial follows ethical and legal rules to protect patients. 

  • Clinical Trial Physician

    Clinical Trial Physician

    Clinical Trial Physicians are doctors who help lead and manage research studies that test new medicines, treatments, or medical devices to see if they are safe and effective. 

    Clinical Trial Doctor, Primary Investigator

    Medical degree in a related field of study

    $136K – $188K/yr; $159K/yr Median total pay

    • Help to write the trial protocol including the goals of the study, who can join, and how data will be collected. 
    • Make medical decisions about patients like adjusting treatments and how to handle any health problems during the trial. 
    • Oversee the research team to make sure the trial is done safely. 
    • Analyze the data collected during the trial and interpret the results.