Study Start-Up Specialist

Why become a Study Start-Up (SSU) Specialist?

Clinical research is one of the fastest growing industries globally at 6-8% increase every year. The Study Start-Up (SSU) Specialists or sometimes referred to as Initiation Clinical Site Managers (iCSM) function as a subject matter expert on all SSU-related activities and their role is to oversee and lead SSU activities in collaboration with other clinical research positions. They are also in charge of SSU process improvement and patient recruitment strategies. This role is the equivalent of a Clinical Research Associate but specialises in only the beginning stages of a clinical trial before the site (hospital/clinical) is activated, and does not involve traveling. This provides great career opportunities for anyone starting new in the industry.

Starting salaries of SSU specialist are from about AU$60,000 in Australia, €30.000 in Europe, and US$55.000 in the USA. Next to great starting salaries there are fast career pathways, promotions to come within 2-3 years into professional levels, taking salaries up to AU$130,000 in Australia (excluding bonuses), €45.000 in Europe, and US$95.000 in the USA.

If you have prior qualifications in STEM/Health, you have a good chance of entering this industry as an SSU specialist.

Why choose Clueo Clinical Industry-Bridging Program (IBP)?

Our SSU Specialist Industry-Bridging Program is a holistic program that addresses all the major gaps and barriers for individuals from STEM/Health backgrounds to break-into the Clinical Research Industry as a SSU Specialist.

Guaranteed Industry-Readiness: Gain Certified Skills and Job Competency to Jumpstart and Excel in Clinical Research with Clueo Clinical’s Industry-Bridging Programs^TM

Clueo Clinical

In addition to Our Promise, you will have the below four (4) unmatched advantages as part of our SSU specialist Industry-Bridging Program.

1) Clueo Clinical exclusive Foundation provides full training for a specific industry job

2) Career Accelerator Coaching led by top career coaches to help graduates and young professionals reach their potential and succeed at industry job interviews

3) Opportunity to gain real-world experience through an industry internship

4) Receive 1-year complimentary Clueo Clinical Society Membership with benefits such as on-the-job support, scholarships & discounts

Upon successful completion of this program, you will have all the competencies to enter the industry as Clinical Study Start-Up (SSU) Specialist.

What you’ll learn

You will gain the following essential knowledge and skills in our SSU Specialist IBP program:

COURSE NAME	APPROX. TIME
Clinical Research Essentials
Good Clinical Practice in Clinical Trials (ICH-GCP)
Clinical trial regulations (Ethics, Governance, Data Security)
Trial Master File (TMF) Maintenance
Patient Recruitment and Retention Strategies
Clinical Study Start-Up
Audit-readiness
Final Assessment	2 hours
Career Accelerator Coaching	3-6 months
Industry Internship Opportunities	1-3 months

Who is this program for?

This program is ideal for anyone who:

• has little to no industry experience
• wants to become a Clinical Study Start-Up (SSU) Specialist or Initiation Clinical Site Managers (iCSM)
• wants a guaranteed, industry endorsed qualification to break into the Clinical Research Industry

Requirements

• Tertiary education in a related science or health care discipline such as nursing.
• No prior clinical research experience is necessary to commence this course. It is advantageous, however, if you already have prior exposure or work-experience in a health- or science-related industry.
• This program is currently only available in Australia. You must have proof (working visa or Australian passport) of your eligibility to work in Australia to enroll

Duration

1. Clueo Clinical Foundation Program is a self-paced virtual training program that can be completed in approximately 3 months. You have up to 2 years to complete.
2. Clueo Clinical Career Accelerator Coaching program contains 3 components. You’ll have access to KEASE Pillars of Success on MyLEAP app for 6 months and the rest of the program until you land your first industry job. That is our promise!
3. The Industry Internship duration varies between 1-3 months, up to 2 days per week. These internships are competitive and independently assessed by and depend on our industry partner organization’s (i.e., Pharmaceutical/Biotech companies or CROs) available placements throughout the year.

Course Delivery

Once enrolled, apart from the internship, which may require you to be in the office, travel to sites and hospital visits, you can complete other program components virtually anywhere and at your own pace.

Certification

• To obtain the Certified Completion Certificate in SSU Specialist Industry-Bridging Program, you will need a score of ≥ 80% to pass all assessments and quizzes.
• You’ll have unlimited chances to take your course mini and final quizzes.
• You’ll have ONLY two (2) attempts to take the Final Assessment, which is a 2-hour exam. Failing the initial 2 attempts will result in a minimum 2-month delay before ONE (1) final attempt can be granted, during which we recommend you relearn the course materials that you have not yet mastered.

If you meet these criteria, your Certified Completion Certificate in SSU Specialist Industry-Bridging Program will be awarded after you finished the program.

Pricing

Flexible Payment Options—Pay-As-You-Go for Your Career Success

At Clueo Clinical, we understand that financial flexibility is key to pursuing your career in clinical research. Our Pay-As-You-Go model allows you to choose weekly, monthly, or yearly payment plans, making our Industry-Bridging Program more accessible than ever. The best part? The sooner you complete the program and secure a job, the less you pay! With personalised training, job placement support, and exclusive industry connections, you’ll be set up for success—while enjoying the financial freedom of paying at your own pace.

Start your journey today with a program that fits your schedule and budget. Accelerate your career and pay less as you progress!

You have the following payment options for this program:

Payment option	Cost (exc. GST)
Weekly	$259
Monthly (25% discount)	$842
Yearly (50% discount)	$6734

How to Enrol in Our Industry-Bridging Program (IBP™)

We offer two enrolment periods each year for our exclusive Industry-Bridging Program (IBP™), with a limited number per intake. This selective admission process ensures that only the most qualified candidates are chosen. By limiting the number of participants, we not only provide tailored support to each trainee but also ensure that the clinical research industry receives the best, most highly qualified professionals ready to make an impact.

Prerequisites for Enrolment

To be eligible for our IBP™ program, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• Tertiary Qualification: A degree in a related science or healthcare discipline, ideally at a Master’s degree level or higher.
• Eligible Work Rights: You must have eligible work rights in Australia (or country of residence), such as citizenship, passport, permanent residency (PR), or qualifying visa status.
• Updated CV: Submit an updated CV that highlights your relevant experiences, skills, and academic achievements.
• A strong command of the English language, both written and verbal, is essential. All applicants must meet this requirement before applying.

Important Notes

• Enrolment closes once the maximum number of students per intake is reached.
• If you miss the first round of intake but meet the prerequisites, you will be considered for the next intake.

How to Apply

To enrol, please follow these simple steps:

1. Review the eligibility criteria above.
2. Prepare and submit your application, including your CV, proof of qualifications, and any other required documents.
3. Contact us for guidance on your application or to discuss your career aspirations with our career advisor. Reach us at info@clueoclinical.com or call 1300 39 22 06.

Enrolment deadline	Program commencement
January 25	February
July 25	August

Learn More About Our Award-Winning SSU Industry-Bridging Program