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Specialist, Clinical Research Associate

MSD
2+ years
Not Disclosed
Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, India
10 May 29, 2026
Job Description
Job Type: Full Time Hybrid Education: B.Sc./ M.Sc./ M.Pharm/ B.Pharm/ Life Sciences Skills: GCP guidelines, gmp knowledge, HSE Knowledge , Logistics and Transportation Management, Master Data, Operational Excellence, Sap Erp, supply chain management, Supply Planning, Warehouse Management, ICD-10 CM Codes, CPT-Codes, HCPCS Codes, ICD-10 CM, CPT, HCPCS Coding, 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

Specialist – Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

Requisition ID: R398007
Employer: Merck & Co., Inc. (also known as MSD)
Region: Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific
Application Deadline: May 30, 2026


Job Overview

The Clinical Research Associate (Specialist level) is responsible for site monitoring and clinical trial oversight activities. The role ensures that clinical studies are conducted in compliance with ICH-GCP guidelines, sponsor SOPs, local regulations, and study protocols.

The CRA plays a key role in protecting patient safety, ensuring data integrity, and maintaining high-quality site performance throughout all phases of a clinical trial.


Key Responsibilities

A. Site Management & Relationship Building

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with clinical trial sites

  • Ensure continuity of site engagement across all trial phases

  • Support site readiness and ongoing performance management

  • Contribute to site selection and feasibility/validation activities


B. Clinical Monitoring (On-site & Remote)

  • Conduct remote and on-site monitoring visits including:

    • Site initiation visits (SIV)

    • Monitoring visits (MV)

    • Validation visits

    • Close-out visits

  • Ensure data collected at site is:

    • Accurate

    • Complete

    • Unbiased

  • Protect subject rights, safety, and well-being


C. Protocol Compliance & Quality Oversight

  • Ensure strict adherence to:

    • Study protocol

    • ICH-GCP guidelines

    • Sponsor SOPs

    • Local laws and regulations

  • Identify protocol deviations and compliance issues

  • Escalate issues through defined CRA escalation pathways


D. Regulatory & Documentation Management

  • Collect, review, and maintain essential regulatory documents

  • Manage documentation across:

    • Study start-up

    • Study maintenance

    • Study close-out

  • Maintain accurate records in:

    • CTMS (Clinical Trial Management System)

    • eTMF (electronic Trial Master File)


E. Communication & Cross-functional Coordination

  • Liaise with investigators and site staff on:

    • Recruitment and retention

    • Protocol compliance

    • Regulatory documentation

    • Audit and inspection readiness

  • Collaborate with:

    • Clinical Operations

    • Pharmacovigilance

    • Regulatory Affairs

    • Legal and external vendors

    • IRBs/IECs and regulatory authorities


F. Risk Management & Issue Resolution

  • Identify and resolve site performance issues

  • Escalate compliance or quality risks appropriately

  • Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) when needed


G. Audit & Inspection Support

  • Support internal and external audits

  • Lead or assist inspection readiness activities

  • Ensure documentation completeness and regulatory compliance


H. Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship

  • Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for CRA processes

  • Mentor junior CRAs and share best practices

  • Support training and capability building within teams


I. Business Development Support

  • Identify potential new clinical trial sites

  • Support development of site capabilities and research readiness


Core Skills Required

  • Clinical trial monitoring and site management

  • Strong knowledge of ICH-GCP and regulatory compliance

  • Clinical research methodology

  • Protocol adherence and deviation management

  • AE (Adverse Event) reporting awareness

  • Data quality and clinical data review

  • CTMS and eTMF systems usage

  • Stakeholder communication and coordination


Core Competencies

  • Clinical trial operations

  • Risk identification and escalation

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Data integrity and monitoring

  • Site relationship management

  • Problem solving and decision making

  • Training and mentoring capability


Work Environment

  • Global clinical trial operations environment

  • Field-based + remote monitoring role

  • High compliance and regulatory oversight

  • Frequent interaction with clinical sites and global stakeholders

  • Travel-based role depending on study requirements


Career Positioning Insight

This is a core Clinical Operations role, often considered a direct pathway to:

  • Senior CRA → Lead CRA → Clinical Trial Manager → Clinical Operations Director

  • Can also transition into:

    • Clinical Project Management

    • Vendor Management

    • Clinical Quality Assurance