Job Biostatistician
Clinical Research
Clinical Research
India is becoming a hub for clinical research; the demand for professionals in this field is growing rapidly. Clinical research business in India will be worth $1 billion by 2010. Thus, there will soon be a massive demand for clinical research professionals, making it an interesting career option with massive growth potential.
Clinical research is all set to become the next big thing in India. A large population with a substantial workforce and cost benefits influence multinationals to set up research facilities here. Besides due to the prevalence of a large variety of diseases, including widespread cases of cancer and diabetes India is viewed the world over as the ideal location for clinical research trials for the pharmaceutical industry.
What is Clinical Research?.
A clinical research is a scientific study of the effects, risks, efficacy and benefits of a medicinal product. These are carried out prior to the release of the medicine in the market. These trials are undertaken at various stages and studies are conducted after the launch of a new product to monitor safety and side effects during large-scale use. Clinical trials are conducted by pharmaceutical companies or contract research organisations (CRO's) on their behalf. It is this sector that is driving the growth in clinical research in India.
So, what does one need to become a part of this rapidly growing industry?
Eligibility.
B. Sc. degree is a must 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.
Job Profile.
Clinical Research branches off into various categories at the entry level.
The most common entry-level position is that of a Clinical Research Associate (CRA). The role of a CRA is varied,
They are key participants in the design, implementation and monitoring of clinical trials
They shoulder the responsibility of planning and implementing all activities required to conduct and monitor complex clinical trials and ensure that Good Clinical Practices are followed.
They assist in preparation of presentations and manuscripts of scientific meetings and technical journals and attend scientific/professional meetings and training courses as appropriate.
BIOSTATISTICIAN are those who,
Perform statistical programming, design, and analysis for clinical trial projects. Planning, coordinating and providing statistical analyses, summaries and reports of studies is also a part of their job profile. In addition they are responsible for New Drug Applications and Biological License Applications submissions.
CRM are Clinical Research Managers,
They supervise design and writing of protocols, case report forms and informed consent forms for clinical trials. They ensure that Case Report Forms are reviewed in a timely fashion and submitted to the data management group. There are other posts too such as Clinical Research Coordinator, Business Development Manager, Clinical Research Investigator, Clinical Data Manager etc.
Where to Study?.
Academy for Clinical Excellence (ACE) Website: www.aceindia.org It offers courses like Clinical Research; From Theory to Practice, clinical Research and GCP for investigators, Quality assurance in clinical research etc.
Institute of Clinical Research (ICRI) Website: www.icriindia.com It offers the following courses:
Two year full time - Masters in Clinical research + MBA
Two year full time - MSC in Clinical Research
Part-time post graduate diploma in Clinical Research (1 year)
PhD in Clinical Research.
Bombay College of Pharmacy: Website: www.bcpindia.org Offers Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral programme of study in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Cliniminds - Academy for Clinical Research Training & Management - Website: http://www.cliniminds.com - institute offers wide range of clincial research courses; diploma programs in Pharmacovigilance; Quality Assurance in Clinical Research; Biostatistics; Investigators; GCP Training; Monitoring and several other programs.
About the Author
B.Sc.(Med.), B.Ed., M.A.(Edu.), M.Litt.(Edu.), Ph.D.(Edu.Psy.)PGDCA.
Served as Science Master, Employment Department as Vocational Guidance Officer.
Retired from Employment Department, Punjab India as Dy. Director (Off.)
Serving now Arihant Computer Center and Many Medical Hospitals such as Sadbhavna Medical & Heart Institute.
Career Biostatistics. Job and Life?
I'm a college student who's studying math. I've been interested in statistics and just heard about biostatistics. I heard the job market is pretty good for this.
So, I'm looking for some Master program for Biostat.
However, seems like many people pursue PhD in this field.
I mean, in Finance area(I Bank, Accounting firm, Consulting firm..etc) PhD isn't really required for working..
With only master degree, is it good enough to get a job?
Could I work as a biostatistician only with Master degree?
For me, phD sounds too long and tough to go through.
I was thinking about actuarial job also. How's biostatisticians work life(work hours, salary...etc) ?
Thanks in Advance
I have a career-related thought for you not directly related to the field you mentioned. However, having graduated from college 15 years ago, my career and life experience have given me a good bit of insight.
When I look at your question, it leads me to consider why you are looking at the kind of job you mentioned. Is biostatistics something you are really passionate about? Something I wish others had told me when I was at your stage of life is...before looking at the job market, we first need to look inward to consider the following:
1.) Values, dreams, passions
2.) Skills, talents, and abilities
3.) Personality traits
At the intersection of those three...you will find what you are "hard-wired" for when it comes to work. Too often, we choose jobs based on what we see in the (job) market and economic forcasts, without really considering whether or not the position we are considering will fit with who we are. Trust me...you can prepare yourself for any number of jobs...and get hired! After the first 3-6 months...if that job is not aligned with the three factors I mentioned above, you will find yourself somewhat dissatisfied (at best).
A great resource is 48 Days to the Work You Love, by Dan Miller. It's a great book, and you will get some very practical advice about how to go about the career planning process. And yes...you can have some wonderful discoveries in just 48 days! I just gave that book to a friend of mine for his 37th birthday, and he called me one morning to tell me he got up at 3:00 am to read it because it was that good!
Once you find the area that's the right fit...then the question of the PhD will be answered much easier when you have a passion for the area you are pursuing.
Best Wishes!
Job Biostatistician
Math Alliance: Job Prospects
Clinical Research Career & Education
Clinical Research :
A clinical research is a scientific study of the effects, risks, efficacy and benefits of a medicinal product (drug), biologics or device. Clinical trials are carried out prior to the release in the market. These trials are undertaken at various stages and studies are conducted after the launch of a new product to monitor safety and side effects during large-scale use. Clinical trials are conducted by pharmaceutical companies or Contract Research Organizations (CRO's) / Site Management Organization (SMO's) on their behalf.
- Worldwide clinical research market is worth over 23,920 crore ($60 billion) 70 percent of the business is generated within the US.
- In Asia, the major destinations for clinical research are Singapore and India – estimated to be worth 11,500 crore ($2.5 billion) by 2010.
- Currently 2, 50,000 positions in clinical research are said to be available worldwide; with 50,000 job openings in India, with this year.
Number of Clinical Trial according to www.clinicaltrail.gov
World : 91869
Africa : 1993
Central America : 1370
East Asia : 6180
Japan : 1508
Europe : 22561
Middle East : 3373
North America : 52167
Canada : 7215
Mexico : 1187
United States : 48027
North Asia : 1591
Pacifica : 2780
South America : 2806
South Asia : 1525
India : 1320
Southeast Asia : 1628
Who can make the career in Clinical Research:
Student with the following qualification have done the courses in clinical research can enter into the clinical research field.
- A graduate or postgraduate in Bioscience/Life Sciences (with any of the following subjects: Biotech, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Nursing, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Home Science).
- BE or Btech Biotech
- A graduate or postgraduate in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Graduate or postgraduate in Health Sciences (MBBS / BDS / BAMS / BHMS / BUMS / BVSc / BSSM)
- Graduate from a recognised university in Allied Health Sciences (BMLT / BScMLT / BPT / BMIT / BScMIT / BHIA / BScHIA / BOT / BSc (Sp & Hg) / BASLP / BSc Opt.
Career in clinical research based on the qualification of Individual:
- Pharmacists, Life Science graduates, Science postgraduates in Biochemistry - Site Coordinator, Clinical Research Associate, Medical writers, , Clinical Research Manager and Drug Development Associate, Biostatistician, Quality assurance
- Doctors - Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Medical Advisor, Drug -Developers, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Clinical Research Physician.
- Management Graduates (MBA) - Business Development, Clinical Project Management, Clinical Research Management, Regulatory Affair Management.
- IT professionals, Biostatistician, Engineers, postgraduates in Maths, Applied Maths, operational Research, Statistics - Clinical Data Manager, Drug Development Associate.
Minimum package for fresher and experienced candidate
There is high demand for trained professionals in this field; the pay package is impressive at the entry level.
- Fresher can expect a pay packet of around three lakhs or more per annum.
- If students have a master's degree backing their qualifications, then the amount is almost doubles.
About the Author