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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.

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