At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead clinical research studies and ensure compliance with regulations while travelling 2-3 days a week.
- Company: Join a leading company dedicated to high-quality clinical research and patient safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a chance to shape global development programs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in clinical research and develop your skills in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and experience in clinical site management required.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 46000 £ per year.
Location: Midlands
Travel: Approximately 65–75% (about 2–3 days per week, domestic and international)
About our company: Our company is committed to advancing high-quality clinical research that upholds ICH/GCP standards and local regulatory requirements. We collaborate across global and regional teams to deliver studies with excellence, integrity, and patient safety at the core.
Role overview: We are seeking a highly skilled Clinical Research Associate (CRA) to lead performance and compliance for assigned protocols and sites within the South East. Under the oversight of the CRA Manager or Clinical Research Director (CRD), you will serve as the primary site contact throughout all phases of clinical studies, ensuring rigorous adherence to ICH/GCP, local regulations, our company policies and procedures, quality standards, and adverse event reporting requirements. You will take ownership of allocated sites, actively expand our clinical research territory by identifying and developing new sites and contribute as a subject matter expert on monitoring processes and systems across internal workstreams.
Key responsibilities:
- Build and sustain strong relationships with investigative sites across all trial phases.
- Perform site management and monitoring activities in compliance with ICH-GCP, Sponsor SOPs, local laws/regulations, protocol, site monitoring plans, and related documents.
- Develop deep understanding of study protocols and procedures.
- Coordinate cross-functional tasks to achieve Site Ready status.
- Participate in site selection and validation; provide informed input to decisions.
- Conduct remote and on-site monitoring to ensure data integrity (complete, accurate, unbiased) and protection of subjects’ rights, safety, and well-being.
- Execute validation, initiation, monitoring, and close-out visits; document clear, comprehensive visit and non-visit reports in a timely manner.
- Collect, review, and monitor regulatory documentation for start-up, maintenance, and close-out.
- Communicate proactively with investigators and site staff on protocol conduct, recruitment/retention, deviations, regulatory findings, audits/inspections, and site performance.
- Identify, assess, and resolve site performance, quality, or compliance issues; escalate appropriately per the CRA escalation pathway in collaboration with CRA Manager, CRM, TA Head, and CRD.
- Partner with internal teams (country operations, finance, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, legal, regional operations, HQ) and external stakeholders (vendors, IRB/IEC, regulatory authorities).
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation in CTMS, eTMF, and other systems.
- Act as a process SME: share best practices, drive continuous improvement, and deliver training.
- Support and/or lead audit/inspection activities.
- Contribute to country strategy by identifying and onboarding potential new sites; build site capabilities.
- Mentor and buddy junior CRAs; conduct co-monitoring and quality control visits where appropriate.
Travel requirements:
Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 65–75% of working time (about 2–3 days per week). Valid driver’s license preferred; required in certain countries.
Qualifications, skills, and experience:
Core competencies:
- Fluent in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present technical information effectively.
- Robust knowledge of clinical research, trial phases, ICH/GCP, and local clinical research regulations and guidelines; ability to work within global, country, and regional frameworks.
- Demonstrated mentoring and leadership capability.
- Hands-on knowledge of Good Documentation Practices.
- Proven site management expertise, including independent oversight of site performance and patient recruitment.
- High-level monitoring skills with sound, independent professional judgment.
- Strong IT proficiency (MS Office and clinical applications across computer, tablet, and mobile); adaptable to new tools.
- Ability to interpret data/metrics and take appropriate action, including in virtual settings.
- Experience conducting site motivation visits to boost enrollment.
- Solution-oriented approach to complex issues; capable of root cause analysis and implementing preventive/corrective actions.
- Ability to mentor junior CRAs and perform co-monitoring visits.
Behavioral competencies:
- Excellent time management, organization, interpersonal skills, conflict management, and problem solving.
- High independence across multiple protocols, sites, and therapy areas.
- Strong sense of accountability and urgency; able to prioritize and multitask in changing environments.
- Effective in a matrixed, multicultural setting; fosters culturally sensitive relationships.
- Customer-focused mindset with high standards of quality and compliance.
- Positive, growth-oriented, self-driven, and professional demeanor aligned with company values.
Education and experience:
Bachelor’s degree (or higher) with extensive direct site management (monitoring) in bio/pharma/CRO.
What we offer:
Opportunity to shape clinical research at high-performing sites and contribute to global development programs. A collaborative environment with growth, mentorship, and continuous improvement. Competitive compensation and benefits.
How to apply:
Please submit your resume/CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant monitoring experience and site leadership achievements.
Clinical Research Associate - Midlands in London employer: MSD
Contact Detail:
MSD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Clinical Research Associate - Midlands in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the clinical research field and let them know you're on the lookout for a CRA role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of ICH/GCP standards and local regulations. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show you're not just familiar with the theory but can also put it into practice.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your site management skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've built relationships with investigative sites and tackled challenges in previous studies. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to high-quality clinical research.
We think you need these skills to ace Clinical Research Associate - Midlands in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Clinical Research Associate role. Highlight your relevant experience in site management and monitoring, and don’t forget to showcase your knowledge of ICH/GCP standards!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about clinical research and how your skills align with our company’s mission. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key in this role, make sure your application reflects your ability to present technical information clearly. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate this.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at MSD
✨Know Your Protocols
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the clinical research protocols relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with ICH/GCP standards and local regulations, as these will likely come up during your discussion. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Site Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed sites or led teams. Highlight specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your site management expertise and your ability to handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Emphasise Communication Abilities
As a Clinical Research Associate, strong communication skills are crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively communicated with investigators and site staff in previous roles. Share instances where your communication helped resolve issues or improved site performance, showcasing your interpersonal skills.
✨Be Ready for Travel Discussions
Since the role requires significant travel, be prepared to discuss your flexibility and willingness to travel domestically and internationally. You might want to mention any previous experiences that involved travel for work, as this can reassure the interviewer of your adaptability and commitment to the role.