Clinical Research
What is Clinical Research?
Clinical research is the study of a drug, biologic, or device in human subjects with the intent to discover potential beneficial effects and/or determine its safety and efficacy prior to obtaining marketing approval as a prescription product.
Before a pharmaceutical company can initiate testing in humans, it must conduct extensive preclinical or laboratory research. This research typically involves years of experiments in animal and human cells. The compounds are also extensively tested in animals. In the US if this stage of testing is successful, a pharmaceutical company provides this data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requesting approval to begin testing the drug in humans. This is called an Investigational New Drug application (IND).
The UNCW Clinical Research Program prepares individuals for participation in the science and business of developing drugs, biologics and biomedical devices. The Clinical Research program is not a nursing or laboratory-based program. Most graduates work for pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, clinical research service providers, or clinical sites enrolling clinical trial subjects.
For advising and to learn more, visit the CHHS Office of Student Success:
Related Career Titles
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Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator Assistant Project Manager Clinical Compliance Specialist Clinical Data Abstractor Clinical Data Coordinator Clinical Data Specialist Clinical Monitoring Associate Clinical Project Coordinator Clinical Quality Advisor Clinical Research Assistant Clinical Research Associate Clinical Research Coordinator Clinical Site Manager Clinical Study Data Coordinator Clinical Study Manager Clinical Training Manager Clinical Trial Coordinator Clinical Trial Manager Clinical Trial Support Specialist Clinical Trials Assistant Data Coordinator Data Manager Field Clinical Monitor |
Patient Recruitment Specialist Project Manager Project Specialist Proposals Specialist Quality Assurance Analyst Regulatory Affairs Associate Regulatory Affairs Specialist Regulatory Submissions Coordinator Research Assistant Research Associate Research Coordinator Research Data Coordinator Research Education & Training Specialist ResearchGrants and Contracts Specialist Research Monitoring Specialist Research Protocol Specialist Research Quality Assurance Specialist Safety Associate Safety Data Associate Site Contracts Specialist Study Coordinator Study Start-up Consultant Study Start-up Specialist |
Related Major Skills
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Ability to work independently Appreciation for budgets and timelines Complex problem solving Critical thinking Foundational knowledge of clinical trials In-depth knowledge of drug development process Professionalism |
Proficiency in MS Word and Excel Science orientation Strong organizational skills Strong written and oral communication skills Time management Troubleshooting Understanding of drug development regulations |
Job & Internship Search Links
- Handshake -- UNCW's Online Job & Career Portal
- Job Search Resources
- Association of Clinical Research Professionals Career Center
- Center Watch
- Indeed.com
- LinkedIn.com
- RegSource
- Society of Clinical Research Associates
- US Food and Drug Administration
Career Planning Links
- Candid Career Videos
- Clinical Research Job Profiles
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET OnLine
- NC Tower
Professional Association Links
- Association of Clinical Research Professionals
- Drug Information Association
- Society of Clinical Research Associates
- Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research
