JUMP TO CONTENT

4 life sciences jobs that are taking off

Posting date: 24/11/2022
Author: Inside ICON
Life sciences are undeniably an exciting area to start and pursue a career in. In fact, the global life sciences space is predicted to be worth a massive $2 trillion in gross value by 2023. Contract Research Organisation (CRO) services are set to play a large part in that, with a predicted value of $73 billion in 2022.

But it isn’t just the huge financial opportunities that make this space so exciting. Careers in life sciences can also be incredibly rewarding. Few other professions allow you to fund a high quality of life whilst working with companies that are saving and making lives better.

In this article, we explore four jobs that are a great choice for those considering a career in life sciences

Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA) 

Becoming a Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA) is both a challenging and potentially rewarding career. Although CTAs have always played a key role in the life science space, this position has recently developed into a more integral part of ensuring the quality of clinical trials.

Covid-19 has completely changed how clinical trials work. Now more than ever there is an emphasis on the importance of well-designed and well-executed randomised clinical trials. CTAs play a major role in these trials.

At ICON, you can progress your career as a CTA as you move from CTA I to CTA II to senior CTA and beyond. As you build your skills you will have greater input into essential trials, making a greater positive impact.

Medical Writer

There is a growing demand for Medical Writers across the life sciences board. Those that can understand occasionally complex medical topics and communicate them in a clear and compelling way will find great success in a medical writing career.

The demand for competent Medical Writers is increasing. This is primarily in order to establish clear communication surrounding clinical trials in developing regions, new medical device regulation, increased R&D investment/activity, and social media representation.

Drug Safety Associate

Those that pick a Drug Safety Associate career are likely to see a boost in demand for their skills over the next few years. Drug safety is becoming a growing concern across the globe, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) launching its ‘Medication Without Harm’ Initiative in 2017 in the hopes of reducing severe avoidable medication-related harm by 50%.

With costs associated with medication errors costing an estimated $42 billion USD each year across the globe, Drug Safety Associates play a big part in protecting those who take medications and the businesses that produce them.

Project Managers

Project management skills have always been in high demand in the life science and CRO space. This demand will continue to increase as projects become more complex and competition intensifies. Those that can take a strategic approach to projects with high awareness of operational strategy and commercial goals will find their careers taking off.

Typically, project management skills can be applied to various areas of life sciences, opening a wide range of opportunities for career progression. Careers at ICON can see ambitious project managers quickly progress from project manager to project manager II to senior project manager and beyond - taking on bigger challenges and responsibilities with every step.

See where a job at ICON could take you

The life science and CRO space is an exciting and potentially lucrative place to pursue a career. The roles we have outlined in this guide show great promise for the coming years, each with an important role to play in overcoming some of the biggest upcoming life science challenges.

Do you see yourself pursuing a life science career? Already pursuing a career in this area and want to take it to the next level? You can browse clinical trial jobs, pharmacovigilance vacancies, medical writing opportunities, and project management jobs now.


List #1

Related jobs at ICON

Manager, Business Continuity

Salary

Location

Poland, Warsaw

Department

Full Service - Corporate Support

Location

Mexico City

Sofia

Dublin

Warsaw

Remote Working

Office or Home

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Facilities & Administratives Services

Job Type

Permanent

Description

Role Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Manager, Business Continuity to join our team and help ensure ICON is prepared to respond effectively to business interruptions. You will collaborate with

Reference

JR137815

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Jacek Jaworski Read more Shortlist Save this role
Site Contracts Lead

Salary

Location

Poland, Warsaw

Location

Sofia

Prague

Dublin

Warsaw

Bucharest

Remote Working

Office or Home

Business Area

ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

Job Categories

Contracts Administration

Job Type

Permanent

Description

As a Site Contracts Lead, you will take ownership of site contracts for assigned studies at country, regional, or global level. You’ll play a pivotal role in enabling clinical trials to start on time,

Reference

JR139947

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Jacek Jaworski Read more Shortlist Save this role
Local Trial Manager

Salary

Location

Czech Republic, Prague

Location

Prague

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Clinical Trial Management

Job Type

Permanent

Description

We are currently seeking a Clinical Trial Manager to join our diverse and dynamic team at ICON Plc. In this critical role, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and successfu

Reference

JR140610

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Jaroslav Polák Read more Shortlist Save this role
Statistical Programmer II

Salary

Location

Kenya

Location

Sofia

Budapest

Warsaw

Bucharest

Johannesburg

Kenya

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Clinical Programming

Job Type

Permanent

Description

We are currently seeking a Statistical Programmer II to join our diverse and dynamic team. As a Statistical Programmer II at ICON, you will play a vital role in the development, validation, and execut

Reference

JR139773

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Jack Fisher

Author

Jack Fisher
Jack Fisher

Author

Jack Fisher
Read more Shortlist Save this role
View all
List #1

Related stories

Headshot of male
Leading Through Change: Zhong Yao's Journey at ICON in China

Teaser label

Our People

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

12/10/2025

Summary

Zhong Yao's Journey at ICON Plc in China Zhong Yao's career in clinical research spans over two decades, with leadership roles across major CROs and a commitment to advancing healthcare in China.

Teaser label

From culture to collaboration, Zhong Yao explains how ICON China delivers quality clinical trials, and empowers local talent.

Read more
Two computer monitors with data graphs
How Data Moves Through a Clinical Trial

Teaser label

Industry

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

12/01/2025

Summary

How Data Moves Through a Clinical Trial Clinical research depends on one essential element: trustworthy data. Every safety decision, every statistical conclusion and every regulatory submission i

Teaser label

Discover how data flows through a clinical trial and learn where your skills could fit within clinical research.

Read more
Male and female auditing a manufacturing facility
Quality and Compliance - A Plain Language Guide

Teaser label

Industry

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

11/28/2025

Summary

Quality and Compliance for New Entrants:           A Plain Language Guide Quality and compliance can feel like dense subjects when you are entering clinical research for the first time. Many job

Teaser label

A clear, practical introduction to quality and compliance for those starting a career in clinical research.

Read more
View all
List #1

Recently viewed jobs

View Jobs

Browse popular job categories below or search all jobs above