JUMP TO CONTENT
man in white lab coat sitting in a laboratory with a microscope

Five reasons why you should work at a clinical research organisation

Posting date: 14/07/2023
Author: Inside ICON

There’s never been a better time to work in the UK Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) sector. The global CRO industry is booming as more and more biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device companies choose to outsource their development. In 2022, the global CRO market was worth $ 73.38 billion, and it’s forecast to grow to $163.48 billion by 2029.


CROs in the UK and Ireland, such as ICON, continue to build their expertise and capacity, attracting more clients and investment and proving why it’s better to outsource clinical research locally rather than rely on cheaper, untested overseas firms.

Clinical research organisation jobs with ICON are dynamic, challenging, and rewarding, allowing you to make a difference in the medical field and help people around the world. Here are just five of the many reasons you should seek a job with a leading CRO.

Reason 1: Leave your market

It’s natural to want to progress and grow in your career. While you may have gotten your start with a pharma, medical device or biopharma company, there are many positives to working for a CRO instead. After all, working for a CRO can give you more chances to use your skills and make an impact than most other research positions. When you work in clinical research organisation jobs, you can see the results of your hard work as you help bring vital drugs, medical procedures, and biotech products to the market.

Reason 2: It’s a rapidly evolving industry

The CRO market is undergoing enormous changes and experiencing demand like never before. The main reason for CRO growth is an increasing surge in outsourced R&D expenditures. In the past, companies often kept their clinical trials in-house, hiring extensive research teams. However, today, major pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device firms are outsourcing their clinical functions.

As a result, clinical research organisation jobs can now give you a unique opportunity to work with a diverse client base, more significant launches, and more exciting projects.

Reason 3: The work is unique

Although the lines between pharma companies and CROs are blurring, CROs typically provide support to biopharma companies and medical device companies to assist in running clinical trials and developing and submitting regulatory filings.

This fast-paced and exciting industry is perfect for anyone who seeks a challenge in this daily work. Clinical research associates, clinical trial nurses, and clinical trial managers can all play their own unique roles in this exciting industry where no two trials – or days - are ever the same.

Reason 4: In-house training

As a result of the increased investment detailed above, there are more opportunities to progress in the CRO industry. Companies like ICON are leading the way in career development, providing you with industry-leading learning and development opportunities so you can advance within the company and in your career.

In addition to regular manager one-to-ones, ICON provides its employees with training programmes for personal and professional development, ensuring there is something for each individuals needs and career aspirations. With training programmes for personal and professional development, ICON has something for everyone.

Reason 5: It’s a chance to apply creative thinking

Due to the increase in business, the CRO market is in flux as firms take on more business and cater to international powerhouses. Navigating the changes in this industry will require improvisation, creative thinking, and good planning. Now is your chance to specialise in increasingly desirable clinical trial jobs and pivot your career in a new direction.

However, that doesn’t mean the clinical trial outsourcing industry needs to be complicated or confusing. While there has been much confusion over different outsourcing models, ICON has streamlined their process with a new sourcing framework so you can focus on your career rather than understanding how each CRO operates.

It’s time to get in touch with ICON

ICON is the world's leading clinical research organisation (CRO) – we work on exciting and complex healthcare challenges and deliver trusted clinical research. Working with ICON allows you to deliver devices, treatments, and medicines that will benefit people worldwide.

With the clinical research organisation jobs available at ICON, you can grow your career and work with some of the most talented people in the industry. Start by browsing clinical trial vacancies and take your next step with us.

    List #1

    Related jobs at ICON

    Logistics Quality Control Specialist

    Salary

    Location

    Belarus, Minsk MSQ

    Department

    Full Service - Global Logistics

    Location

    Minsk

    Remote Working

    Office Based

    Business Area

    ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

    Job Categories

    Clinical Supplies

    Job Type

    Permanent

    Description

    ICON is urgently seeking a temporary (three-year contract) Logistics Quality Control Specialist to lead operations at our licensed pharmaceutical warehouse in Belarus. This mission-critical role safeg

    Reference

    JR131471

    Expiry date

    01/01/0001

    Sophie Bingham Read more Shortlist Save this role
    CRA All Levels

    Salary

    Location

    Brazil

    Department

    Clinical Monitoring

    Location

    Brazil

    Remote Working

    Home-Based

    Business Area

    ICON Strategic Solutions

    Job Categories

    Clinical Monitoring

    Job Type

    Permanent

    Description

    A Clinical Research Associate is a professional who contributes to accelerated drug/device/outcomes research through independent monitoring of studies to ensure patient safety and data integrity. You

    Reference

    2025-121432

    Expiry date

    01/01/0001

    Bruna Duarte

    Author

    Bruna Duarte
    Read more Shortlist Save this role
    Project Associate

    Salary

    Location

    Mexico, Mexico City

    Department

    Full Service - Early Clinical and Bioanalytical Solutions

    Location

    Mexico City

    Remote Working

    Office Based

    Business Area

    ICON Full Service & Corporate Support

    Job Categories

    Project/ Program Management

    Job Type

    Permanent

    Description

    Join our supportive, globally integrated team as a Project Associate. You’ll be pivotal in streamlining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), enhancing training compliance, and driving continuous proc

    Reference

    JR132828

    Expiry date

    01/01/0001

    Florencia Pistolesi Read more Shortlist Save this role
    Scientist

    Salary

    Location

    Wilmington

    Department

    Scientist

    Location

    Wilmington

    Remote Working

    Office Based

    Business Area

    ICON Strategic Solutions

    Job Categories

    Scientist

    Job Type

    Permanent

    Description

    As a Scientist you will be joining the world’s largest & most comprehensive clinical research organisation, powered by healthcare intelligence.

    Reference

    2025-121419

    Expiry date

    01/01/0001

    Kala Murphy

    Author

    Kala Murphy
    Kala Murphy

    Author

    Kala Murphy
    Read more Shortlist Save this role
    View all
    List #1

    Related stories

    Headshot of female
    Building a Career at ICON: Susie's journey from HR Analyst to Senior VP

    Teaser label

    Inside ICON

    Content type

    Blogs

    Publish date

    08/07/2025

    Summary

    Building a Career at ICON: A Conversation with Susie McEvoy, Senior VP of HR At ICON, career journeys are rarely linear – and Susie McEvoy’s story is a powerful example of that. From joining as a

    Teaser label

    Discover how Susie built a successful career at ICON, progressing from HR Analyst to Senior Vice President.

    Read more
    Nurse
    Career Guide: Clinical Research Nursing

    Teaser label

    Inside ICON

    Content type

    Blogs

    Publish date

    08/01/2025

    Summary

    Clinical Research Nursing: A Vital Career at ICON Clinical research nursing is a specialised discipline that blends expert patient care with the science of clinical trials. Nurses in this role ar

    Teaser label

    Learn about key responsibilities and how to start your career in clinical research nursing.

    Read more
    stethoscope on paper records
    Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS) Demystified

    Teaser label

    Inside ICON

    Content type

    Blogs

    Publish date

    07/28/2025

    Summary

    CTMS: The Essential Tool for Clinical Research Professionals Clinical trials have rapidly evolved, accelerated by technology and digital innovation. Central to this evolution is the Clinical Tria

    Teaser label

    Explore the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS), its core functions, market growth, and career advantages.

    Read more
    View all
    List #1

    Recently viewed jobs

    View Jobs

    Browse popular job categories below or search all jobs above