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Initiation Clinical Research Associate I

Parexel
0-2 years
Not Disclosed
Bengaluru, India
8 May 19, 2026
Job Description
Job Type: Full Time Education: B.Sc./ M.Sc./ M.Pharm/ B.Pharm/ Life Sciences Skills: ICH guidelines, ICSR Case Processing, Interpersonal Skill, Labelling Assessment, MedDRA Coding, Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Medical Terminology, mRS and EQ-5D-5L., Narrative Writing, Research & Development, Technical Skill, Triage of ICSRs, WHO DD Coding

Job Title

Initiation Clinical Research Associate I (iCRA I)

Company

Parexel

Location

Bengaluru, India

Employment Type

Clinical Research / Full-time


Role Overview

The Initiation Clinical Research Associate I (iCRA I) is responsible for managing and driving clinical trial startup, Pre-SIV (Site Initiation Visit), and site activation activities. The role acts as a primary point of contact for investigator sites during the startup phase and supports regulatory submissions, site readiness, documentation management, and study activation processes.

The iCRA ensures compliance with ICH-GCP, local regulations, sponsor requirements, and Parexel SOPs while supporting efficient study startup and maintenance activities from site identification through study closeout.


Key Responsibilities

1. Study Startup & Site Activation

(From Site Identification through Site Activation)

Site Management & Communication

  • Serve as Parexel’s primary contact for assigned sites during startup

  • Build and maintain relationships with:

    • Investigators

    • Site staff

    • Study stakeholders

  • Support country-specific feasibility and site qualification activities


Regulatory & Startup Documentation

  • Prepare, negotiate, and facilitate:

    • Confidentiality Agreements (CDAs)

    • Clinical Site Agreements (CSAs)

    • Regulatory documents

  • Configure, collect, review, and approve:

    • Site Greenlight documents

    • Essential regulatory documentation

    • Site SIV readiness documentation


Informed Consent Form (ICF) Management

  • Customize and review country/site-specific ICFs

  • Coordinate translations and amendment reviews

  • Ensure compliance with:

    • Local regulations

    • Sponsor requirements

    • Country-specific guidelines


IRB/IEC & Regulatory Submissions

  • Prepare and submit applications to:

    • IRB/IEC

    • Ministry of Health (MoH)

    • Regulatory Authorities (RA)

  • Resolve submission issues and manage follow-up until final approvals are received


TMF & CTMS Management

  • Submit all study documentation to:

    • Trial Master File (TMF)

    • Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS)

  • Ensure:

    • First Time Quality (FTQ)

    • Timely documentation updates

    • Accurate clinical system entries


Startup Planning & Risk Management

  • Forecast and manage:

    • Site activation timelines

    • Regulatory approval plans

    • Startup strategies

  • Identify and escalate risks related to:

    • Activation delays

    • Recruitment issues

    • Training deficiencies

    • Data quality concerns

    • Protocol non-compliance


Study Systems & Training

  • Support site access to study systems

  • Ensure completion of required training before study start

  • Facilitate compliance with project-specific system requirements


2. Study Maintenance Activities

(From Initiation through Closeout)

  • Support ongoing ICF updates and amendments

  • Prepare and submit additional IRB/IEC and regulatory applications

  • Maintain ongoing regulatory approvals and documentation

  • Ensure timely submission of updated documents to TMF


3. End-to-End Site Management

(From Site Identification through Closeout)

Clinical Systems & Documentation

  • Maintain and review data in:

    • CTMS

    • Site Information Systems (SIS)

    • eTMF systems

  • Ensure:

    • High-quality data entry

    • Ongoing document maintenance

    • Inspection readiness


Compliance & Quality

  • Ensure compliance with:

    • ICH-GCP

    • International and local regulations

    • Parexel SOPs

    • Sponsor procedures

  • Maintain audit and inspection readiness for assigned sites


Project Coordination

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project goals

  • Support project planning and efficient delivery

  • Ensure understanding of:

    • Study milestones

    • Timelines

    • Budgets

    • Deliverables


Teamwork & Leadership

  • Work effectively within global and matrix teams

  • Support team collaboration and performance culture

  • Act as mentor and role model where appropriate


Required Skills

Clinical Research & Startup Skills

  • Strong understanding of:

    • Clinical trial startup processes

    • Site activation

    • Regulatory submissions

    • Clinical trial documentation

  • Knowledge of:

    • CTMS

    • eTMF

    • Clinical systems

    • MS Office tools


Problem-Solving & Decision-Making

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Ability to make decisions in ambiguous situations

  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and timelines independently


Communication & Collaboration

  • Excellent:

    • Written communication

    • Verbal communication

    • Presentation skills

  • Ability to work across cultures and global teams

  • Client-focused communication approach


Work Style & Professional Skills

  • Self-driven and proactive work style

  • Attention to detail

  • Strong time management skills

  • Ability to work effectively in virtual team environments

  • Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities


Required Experience

  • Substantial startup experience or equivalent clinical research experience

  • Understanding of:

    • Clinical trial methodology

    • Regulatory requirements

    • Clinical trial terminology


Educational Requirements

  • Degree in:

    • Biological Sciences

    • Pharmacy

    • Health-related discipline

  • OR equivalent nursing qualification

  • OR equivalent relevant experience


Success Profile

Ideal candidates demonstrate:

  • Communication skills

  • Attention to detail

  • Organizational ability

  • Problem-solving mindset

  • Flexibility and adaptability

  • Self-motivation and accountability


Work Environment

  • Global clinical research environment

  • Cross-functional and matrix-based teams

  • Combination of remote collaboration and site-focused activities

  • Fast-paced, compliance-driven clinical operations setting