Building the Future of Clinical Research: Why Competent Talent is Critical for Industry Growth

The clinical research and healthcare innovation sectors are advancing rapidly, fuelled by technological progress and a growing need for breakthrough treatments to address global health challenges. However, staff shortages affect every area of these fields, posing a major hurdle to both innovation and the efficient delivery of life-saving therapies. As number and complexity of clinical trials grow, the industry’s ability to recruit and train qualified professionals has become a significant barrier to progress, threatening not only industry growth but also the future of healthcare innovation.

Key Challenges in Clinical Research Recruitment

Skills Gap Among Graduates: While universities produce talented graduates with strong academic backgrounds, many lack the specific industry skills and experience needed to hit the ground running in clinical research roles like clinical research associates (CRAs), clinical research coordinators (CRCs) and other industry-specific roles. Clinical trials require in-depth knowledge of regulatory standards, clinical protocols, and drug development processes, as well as the technical role-specific knowledge and skills which aren’t always covered in traditional academic curricula.
High Cost of Onboarding: Pharmaceutical companies and CROs invest significant resources in training and onboarding new hires, many of whom still require months of training before they can contribute meaningfully. This creates a bottleneck in productivity, costing time and resources, and slowing the pace of trials.
High Turnover Rates The clinical research industry faces high turnover rates, partly due to under-prepared hires who struggle to meet the demands of the job. Without the proper training, employees often feel overwhelmed, leading to dissatisfaction and early exits. This churn only exacerbates the existing talent shortage.
Increasing Demand for Specialized Roles With the rise of personalized medicine, immuno-oncology, and advanced therapies, the industry now demands professionals with specialized knowledge and experience. However, many aspiring clinical researchers do not possess the specific expertise needed to step into these roles confidently.
Technological Overload at Clinical Research Sites: Many clinical research sites face the added burden of having to manage multiple technology systems for different trials, each requiring its own training, logins, and processes. This overload of non-standardized systems creates a significant challenge for study coordinators and adds to workforce frustrations.The rapid expansion of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) during the COVID-19 pandemic created new training needs at research sites, but the resources and support necessary for proper implementation have not kept pace.
Increasing Complexity of Clinical Trials: Clinical trials have become more complex, with the volume of data being collected from a wider variety of sources growing every year. This complexity requires more highly skilled professionals, especially in data management, biostatistics, and clinical operations, but candidates with these specialized skills are in short supply.
Clinical Research Sites Facing Staffing Issues: A 2023 WCG survey found that 63% of clinical research sites reported staffing as their biggest challenge, particularly in rural areas where fewer professionals are available. This problem is worsened by the increasing number of complex clinical trials, making it difficult for existing site-based workforces to keep up (ACRP).
Entry-Level Barriers: Many companies still demand 2-3 years of experience for entry-level positions, despite little evidence that such requirements are necessary or beneficial. The ACRP has urged the industry to rethink these impractical barriers, highlighting successful alternative models like Merck’s Early Talent Development Program, which trains and nurtures graduates without prior experience.
Educational Gaps: There is also a significant lack of formal education around clinical research as a career path in traditional university programs, leaving many STEM graduates unaware of these opportunities. Programs like Durham Tech’s Clinical Trials Associate curriculum and UC Davis’ Clinical Research Coordinator training are helping to address this gap, though more needs to be done at scale.
Internal Training and Onboarding: Many companies, such as Merck, Sanford Health, are now developing internal training programs to tackle workforce shortages. For instance, Sanford Health’s online Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) certificate program trains new talent over a 9-12 month period, addressing local workforce gaps.
Turnover and Retention Issues: High turnover rates continue to plague the clinical research workforce, exacerbated by competition for talent among CROs, sponsors, and big tech firms. Companies are battling over the same limited talent pool, leading to operational disruptions, decreased team cohesion, and poor retention rates. Many organizations have recognized the need to offer more attractive career pathways and mentorship programs to retain talent. By focusing on professional development and career growth, companies like Merck and PPD are starting to address this issue.
Diversity and Inclusion Challenges: Efforts to improve diversity in clinical trials and within the research workforce are still evolving. There is a growing recognition that clinical trials often lack access to diverse patient populations due to limited geographic reach and a lack of inclusive criteria, further emphasizing the need for diverse, well-trained professionals who can help address these disparities. Merck and other organizations have successfully implemented initiatives to improve diversity by tapping into global talent pools and using targeted recruitment programs to attract underrepresented groups.

How Clueo Clinical is Solving These Challenges with the Industry-Bridging Program

At Clueo Clinical, we’ve recognized these gaps and designed a solution that not only addresses the industry’s challenges but also transforms how companies recruit and train talent. These challenges reinforce the need for structured training programs like those offered by Clueo Clinical, which focus on filling talent gaps, improving workforce readiness, and addressing the evolving needs of clinical trials.

1. Role-Specific Industry Training

Our Industry Bridging Program (IBP™) is tailored to equip aspiring clinical researchers with the exact skills required for specific roles within the clinical research ecosystem. We focus on real-world, hands-on training that prepares candidates to be job-ready from day one, eliminating the steep learning curve that many new hires face.

2. Industry-Ready Talent Pipeline

At Clueo Clinical, our Industry-Ready Talent Pipeline solution bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real-world industry needs. Through our comprehensive Industry Bridging Program (IBP™), we equip aspiring clinical research professionals with the exact skills and hands-on experience required to excel from day one. By partnering with leading pharmaceutical companies and CROs, we guarantee job placements for graduates, ensuring companies have access to competent, pre-trained professionals. This solution reduces costly onboarding times and addresses the workforce shortage, accelerating clinical trials and healthcare innovations while fostering diversity in the workforce.

Additionally, through strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies and CROs, we provide our trainees with guaranteed placements in entry-level positions, ensuring that the industry gets well-prepared, competent professionals, and companies avoid the high costs of extended onboarding.

3. Bridging Academia and Industry

Our programs bridge the gap between academia and the clinical research industry. We work closely with universities, government agencies, and healthcare organizations to design curriculum that incorporates industry standards, regulatory requirements, and technical training, ensuring our graduates are prepared to excel.

4. Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

We are passionate about promoting diversity within the clinical research industry, particularly by providing opportunities to underrepresented groups. Our trainees come from diverse backgrounds, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to an industry in need of innovation.

5. Continuous Support and Development

Even after our trainees are placed in industry roles, we provide ongoing mentorship and professional development to ensure they thrive in their careers. This reduces turnover and creates a more stable workforce for the clinical research sector.

Impact on Industry Growth

By addressing the talent gap, Clueo Clinical’s Industry Bridging Program plays a critical role in the growth and sustainability of the clinical research industry. Here’s how:

Increased Trial Efficiency: Our graduates are ready to contribute from day one, reducing delays in clinical trial timelines and speeding up the delivery of treatments to patients.
Reduced Training Costs: By preparing trainees with the exact skills needed, companies can reduce the financial burden of onboarding and training.
Higher Retention Rates: Well-trained, competent employees are more likely to stay in their roles, reducing turnover and ensuring a more consistent and experienced workforce.
Promoting Innovation: By fostering diversity and introducing new perspectives into the clinical research field, we help drive innovation and creativity in trial design and execution.

Conclusion

Competent, industry-ready talent is the foundation of the clinical research industry’s future. Without a well-prepared workforce, the pace of innovation and the development of life-saving treatments would slow. At Clueo Clinical, we are proud to be part of the solution, bridging the gap between university and industry, and creating a new generation of clinical research professionals who will drive the industry forward. Through our Industry-Bridging Programs, we are not just training individuals; we are building the future of clinical research.

Interested in industry-ready talent for your clinical research team? CLICK HERE to discover how Clueo Clinical can help you build a skilled and diverse workforce.

References

MTPConnect, Australia’s Clinical Trials Sector June 2024 Report.
ACRP, Special Report: An Assessment of the Adequacy of the Clinical Research Workforce.
Advanced Clinical, Closing the Gap: How to Overcome Clinical Trial Staffing Shortages.
SCRS, Exploring the Current Clinical Workforce.
SCRS, Stories of Advancing Diversity and Equity in Clinical Research.
CentreWatch, Job Requirements Too Restrictive, ‘System Fix’ Needed.

Dr. Thu (Sue) Nguyen, PhD

Sue is the founder and CEO of Clueo Clinical Pty Ltd. She has over 17 years of combined experience in clinical and pre-clinical research and development, training and management. She is passionate about patient-centric science, clinical research, education, and helping others find their career passion and succeed in life.
She is an avid learner, an authentic networker and wants to empower the next generation to reach their fullest potential in Australia and around the world.