Career Options
MCRC graduates work in the entire spectrum of research — from clinical trials to management and compliance. They also work across the employer spectrum — from research clinics and academic medical centers to clinical research organizations, other research service providers to pharmaceutical companies. Their education skills often qualify them for careers in overlapping research and regulatory fields.
Jobs in the field of clinical research and its regulation have grown sharply in recent years, and employment prospects are expected to increase in the future. Growth prospects are expected to continue to rise, mirroring the increase in research on and regulation of drugs and medical devices. A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report* showed that salaries tend to correlate strongly with levels of education.
Employment Outlook
For medical scientists, job opportunities are expected to grow by some 40 percent by the decade ending in 2018, according to the BLS. The field has been growing since the 1980s, a reflection of the expanding biotechnology industry. The BLS reported that the continued study of AIDS, cancer and flu will promote the search for effective medicines. The CRRA program prepares students to facilitate the development of drugs and medical devices that improve human health.
Average Salaries
- Quality Specialist, $70,000
- Quality Assurance Manager, $95,000
- Regulatory Professional, $70,000
- Quality Director, $130,000
* Healthcare Industry Salaries, salary.com, accessed January 2018
- Clinical Research Coordinator, $40,000+
- Clinical Research Associates, $58,000
- Medical Scientists, $72,000
- Pharmaceutical Project Manager, $75,000+
- Senior Clinical Researcher, $80,000+
* Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Guide to Industries, 2010–11 edition
Internships
Students are encouraged to apply directly to a publicly posted internship, examples of which are listed below. Students may consult with the MSRC faculty director or academic advisor to choose an internship right for them in areas such as quality, regulatory compliance, clinical research, finance and product development.
- Beckman-Coulter: Offers two summer intern rotational programs
- Icon Clinical Research, Inc.: Extensive job posting database
- Medtronic Spine & Biologics: two- to three-year long work program; requires master’s in clinical or regulatory tracks or MBA and three to five years relevant work experience
- Novartis: Internships and jobs; U.S. Summer Scholars Program, contact: future.talent@novartis.com
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Full-time summer internships in many areas including regulatory affairs and clinical science
- Hospira: Two-year Finance Development Program internship and Technical Professional Development and Associate Hospital Sales internships
- Abbott: Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs. Responsibility could be in the following areas: Plant Quality Assurance, Division Quality Assurance, Division Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Quality Assurance
- AbbVie: Typical AbbVie internships include paid 12-week assignment, social and development activities, and subsidized housing for eligible students. Primarily in summer, but students can be placed at any time during the year
- Baxter: Extensive job posting database; search area desired and 'intern.'