Entries are underway for the PharmaTimes International Clinical Researcher of the Year competition – designed to challenge, recognise and reward the talent of industry and academic researchers. This is a rigorous, real-world competition that attracts entrants from all over the globe – represented by leading pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organisations.

This years competition has six unique categories available for an individual, these include – Clinical Trial Administrator, Aspiring Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Research Associate, Project Manager, Team Leader and new to this year, the In-House Clinical Research Associate. There are also two team categories available which are the Clinical Research Team and the Clinical Site .

Also, new for 2019, we have the Start Up category, which is open to both an individual and a team – the aim of most Site/Study Start Up (SSU) teams is to maximise the time window for patient enrolment and hence add significant value by shortening development times and getting medicines to patients faster. The type of entrants this would be a suitable choice for are Study Site Co-Ordinators, Contracts Specialists undertaking site contract negotiations, Regulatory Personnel undertaking regulatory application and Ethics Specialists undertaking ethics application.

Paul Quinn, Pharmaceutical Consultant, Vice Chair of the Executive Steering Group and lead judge for the Project Manager category says –

"We are looking for talented individual Project Managers with the skills to deliver projects; but also ensure quality and budget control. This person will be a good communicator and a problem solver who can ensure effective project delivery in a multiplicity of situations. This is an International Competition and is an excellent opportunity to assess your skills in a clinical competition and develop yourself further.  It allows you to be assessed by senior leaders in the industry and compare yourself with others doing the PM role. Reaching the final is a great achievement and winning has the potential to enhance your career prospects."

The process for entry firstly involves a 20-question multiple-choice questionnaire in which entrants much score at least 80% to progress. Competitors must then complete a 1000 word essay, and those entrants judged to have the best essays will be invited to the final stage of the competition which will take place on Thursday March 21^st for individual candidates and 28^th March for team entries.

All of the finalists will be judged by experts within the industry who will be on hand to give back invaluable feedback – which adds an even greater incentive to get your entry in.