The Top Remote Clinical Research Jobs

If you’re interested in contributing to medical advances that prevent and treat diseases, a job in clinical research could be right for you. Careers in this field involve designing, conducting, and monitoring complex clinical trials of new drugs or medical devices while ensuring that Good Clinical Practices (GCP) are followed.

While some clinical research jobs were virtual prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic drove the development of remote and electronic tools that have greatly boosted their availability. These tools have solved critical problems and increased the feasibility of remote project monitoring and administration. These include the ability to obtain informed consent from test subjects remotely and conduct virtual monitoring visits.

Advances in technology combined with a continuing high demand for qualified clinical researchers mean that opportunities for remote employment in clinical research have never been better.

Everything You Need to Know About Remote Clinical Research Jobs

Depending on the area of specialization, jobs in this field involve a wide variety of activities. Responsibilities can include:

However, these positions do not include most clinical laboratory technologists and technician jobs. Usually conducted in a laboratory, these positions are responsible for collecting samples and performing tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.

How to Become a Remote Clinical Researcher

There are a wide variety of paths to becoming a clinical researcher. Many come from other healthcare fields, including registered nurses. However, it is not necessary to enter the field this way, and some positions will only require a high school diploma for consideration. There are also a growing number of educational opportunities available for interested individuals, from apprenticeships to college degrees.

For example, a good place to find reputable college programs is via the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR) or the growing number that are being accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) for clinical research. Other promising options include apprenticeship programs such as the one offered by the Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) that targets veterans and transitioning military with clinical experience.

Perhaps the most accessible form of training and career path guidance is available from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA). These professional associations offer a full range of training and certifications to help individuals get started and progress in clinical research careers.

Salary Information

Payscale reports the average base salary for a clinical research assistant (CRA), a common entry-level position, is about $67,500 annually. With promotions to clinical project manager or clinical trial manager, base pay can rise to $98,000+.

Common Remote Clinical Research Jobs

There are a variety of different remote clinical research jobs available. The types of positions available can depend on the size and complexity of the project. For example, larger projects will require more specialization in one area, such as subject recruitment, while smaller projects will afford an opportunity to complete a wider variety of tasks. In addition, jobs are available at all career levels. While demand for clinical research jobs is high, most of these positions are full time. There are very few part-time remote clinical research jobs available.

Entry-Level Remote Clinical Research Jobs

Entry-level jobseekers in clinical research are benefiting from increased demand. Previously, positions would require a certain number of years of experience to be considered for positions. Today, employers are moving more toward competency-based hiring. So if you can demonstrate the necessary skills, you will be considered.

The best place to begin a search for entry-level positions is via the professional associations noted above. In addition, the ACRP offers an easy-to-use tool to help individuals make a job search plan. This comprehensive tool includes identifying career paths, skills gaps, education opportunities, and job search assistance. A few common job titles for entry-level positions include:

Mid/Senior-Level Remote Clinical Research Jobs

Due to good advancement opportunities in clinical research, individuals can progress from a CRA position in a variety of career paths. These include project and trial management, data management, and regulatory affairs. Job titles for more senior positions can include:

Companies Hiring for Remote Clinical Research Jobs

Remote clinical research jobs are offered by several different types of organizations, including pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, contract research organizations (CROs), research universities, and hospitals. Below are examples of companies that frequently hire for these positions:

Syneos Health

Syneos Health is a biopharmaceutical company that helps its clients develop solutions, commercialize therapies, and reduce risk.

ICON

ICON provides outsourced clinical testing services. They work with clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries to complete wide-scale clinical trials.

Stanford University

Stanford University is a private, non-profit research university that conducts a wide variety of clinical research at its eighteen independent laboratories, centers, and institutes.

Conclusion                                                                        

On the whole, clinical research careers are increasingly accessible for individuals wanting to work remotely thanks to advances developed during the pandemic. Even though the pandemic also hindered industry growth, it is quickly recovering, and candidates for positions in this field are in high demand. If you have been looking for a career in healthcare while working remotely, clinical research could be a perfect fit.

Which of these remote clinical research jobs have sparked your interest? What excites you about the prospect? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts and tips. We’d love to hear from you!