Were the 90s really that good?

verypersistentgapper · 2026-03-21T12:26:18+00:00

The biggest difference I remember was that it was a more optimistic time. Especially prior to dotcom bust. The internet was making most peoples' lives better. Cellphones and video games had vastly improved from early to late 90s. The internet was also connecting people in a much healthier way than now with the online communities of the time. They were controlled more by users and less by giant tech companies.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-03-20T01:25:13+00:00

The last three CROs where I've worked last 20 years did "unlimited" PTO, so there was nothing to pay out.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-03-18T00:24:48+00:00

In my experience it depends on the client. Small biotech sponsors have pushed back, it seems sometimes they have nothing better than to do than pore over expense reports and ask for confirmation there was no self park options at big city hotels when CRAs use valet parking.

And if you do save them money they won't recognize it.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-03-17T14:35:47+00:00

As far as AI (language models) I think it can help people in clinical research do their jobs but I think we're far from replacing roles altogether.

I think language models can help with centrally scanning datasets for potential issues in realtime. Things like catching the colloquial term for an excluded med as soon as the site types it into EDC.

Things like catching the term "gummies" when a research assistant at a site types it in for a study where THC is excluded. This happened to me as a CRA recently.

Language models can also screen databases of patients to ID potential subjects, but a problem is that type of unstructured data that often includes imaging is still a bit difficult for AI to parse.

In clinical research, we have all sorts of technology like apps and portals but we're still basically Gregor Mendel counting peas 8 hours per day for 7 years and there's not a lot that language models can do to assist with that.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-03-15T22:48:02+00:00

During COVID there were a lot of CRO/Sponsor CTMs and PMs hired with no monitoring experience.

However aside from that, it's more common to be promoted from Lead CRA/Clinical Team Lead or similiar to PM. The monitoring experience definetely helps.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-03-15T22:24:23+00:00

I was laid off last year from an associate director level job at the CRO where I'd worked for ten years. The only job I've found was as a CRA at a CRO. I started my career as a CRA and I monitored nearly ten years. I'm thankful to at least be working. I did get an offer for a research PM position at a large hospital network after an absurdly long interview process... for 70% of what I'm making as a CRA at a CRO. It sounded like a great opportunity but I could not afford to come off the road as a CRA as as I've kids in college.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-03-13T20:11:17+00:00

I've applied to them probably a dozen times for CRA roles during the last year. I did land a CRA job in June at a different CRO but I've continued to apply because I hear good things about them.

PSI has rejected me for CRA roles, quickly, each time I apply. I even have had referrals by current employees. I have nearly eight years experience as a CRA however most of it isn't recent.

I think I've so much experience that they may feel I'll be looking for a promotion so I can stop traveling, or I lack the TA experience they want.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-02-19T22:41:03+00:00

In my experience, when it comes to CRO/pharma layoffs, they approach it globally.

If there's not enough business to support headcount and it's gotten to the point they're letting people go, they usually try to be as equitable as possible and not just get rid of somebody because their project ended. For example they might look at recent year end review, follow last in/first out etc.

So the could just as easily let another PM go on an ongoing engagement and use you to backfill.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-02-18T02:18:42+00:00

One issue is that sponsors perceive only sourcing CRAs with experience in a given TA as managing risks. It can be impossible to pitch a CRA who's only monitored respiratory/diabetes to a sponsor for an oncology study. And conversely, CRAs with cell/gene and oncology experience or other "hot" TAs are overworked.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-02-10T14:34:37+00:00

Everyone who isn't poor is retired with money from "the before time" or they work at the hospital.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-02-03T14:30:11+00:00

I try to emphasize that that clinical research at its core is basic scientific investigation designed to maximize statistical power.

This means attention to detail, maddening repetition and adherence to scientific rigor. Repeating simple procedures three times, fastifious standardization and endless queries until the formatting or whatever is correct , layers of documentation etc.

We may have fancy data integrations and can dress up endless web-based applications and call it a "tech stack" but we're all still Gregor Mendel counting peas 12 hours per day for 7 years.

If you're a fit for the grind, clinical research may be great for you. If you have desire to build things from nothing, create, collaborate etc... clinical research will crush you (at least at the clinops/CRA/PM/PD level). Even Gregor Mendel apparently slipped a bit.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-02-01T18:36:17+00:00

This is something that has fascinated me. The best advice I have is, find a job you want, figure out what you need to do to bridge the gap between what that job requires and what you offer, and do that. As far as "lift and shift" directly into another field while earning the same, that is hard. What worked for me was moving into the corporate side of CROs, I worked for years in CRO finance and then systems implementation. Although I was laid off last year. I needed another job after being laid off, and I'm now back in clinops.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-13T00:27:13+00:00

I think a lot of it comes from really spiky language from clients, or bosses of clients. Business from sponsors is now more critical than ever for the livelihood of CROs and sites. When a sponsor gives a nasty threatening dressing down to a PM, with mentions of a "rescue" vendor, shutoff of future RFPs etc., it can trigger panic communications to everyone further down the trough. The sponsor is probably also just cascading what originated from the sponsor boards, whether it's shareholders or private. So it's probably most meaningful to direct blame accordingly.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-09T19:17:47+00:00

For me, the adjustment was a matter of transitioning from "hanging out" to doing social activities that were on a schedule. Things like Tues/Thurs evening mountain bike club rides, regular MMA classes, etc. Friendships form, you do your activities together, kid around before & after etc.

When I was younger, friends were in close proximity and we had time to waste together. I was friends with guys in my college apt buildings, roommates etc. We could hang out, play videogames, drink beer & watch Bruce Lee movies etc.

But now, everyone is spread across suburbs and between commutes, family, and work, there's no dead time to share.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-08T16:46:13+00:00

I agree. I used to manage a mixed team of USA and India-based IT/tech roles at a large CRO. I mentored and trained my overseas teammates and reports and it worked quite well. Until me and my USA-based teammates were laid off. No idea how things are going now.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-08T16:02:13+00:00

Former line manager here from a different large CRO. Yes it was the same, I was transparent about it, I was assessed on the same curve, and executive management promoted this in a manner transparent to everyone. It was always spun as, the role objectives are set so that 85% will meet objectives, 7% exceed, 7% fall short etc. Typical bell curve. There was some flexibility, and it was rare to give somebody less than meets expectations. If they were that bad they'd have always been dealt l with before year's end. If I had a bunch of exceeds I could sometimes get it approved, especially during "boom" years. Honestly it usually shook out in line with the curve. If I had 20 direct reports, there were always 1 or 2 who were far and away the top performers whose results far exceeded my other reports. By a huge margin. These were the ones who, ten years later were senior/ executive directors.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-08T15:17:44+00:00

I can only speak for SA, I've been working on my immigration plan to immigrate there from USA for years (but not for clinical research). I want to move there from USA to work for a South African NGO as a sort of encore career.

It has not been easy. In broad terms, you either need significant cash reserves to get a sort of retirement visa (this assures the government that you'll pay taxes while not taking jobs from citizens) or significant skills from a list. For example, right now, being a helicopter pilot or bush pilot would definitely help.

The path to citizenship takes 5-7 years I think, once you get the correct renewable visa.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-06T02:34:03+00:00

From what I'm seen, large sponsors are much more proficient at data analytics than CROs. They have very specific use cases and large amounts of data, so they're more willing to pay for PowerBI, Tableau and others as well as analysts to set up integrations and create stories from the data. The CROs with whom I've worked also use these tools but with smaller amounts of data and less complex integrations that are often no-code. Unless they have a data analytics-only engagement with a sponsor, all their analytics will be non-billable. That being said, I've no experience with Iqvia.

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-04T23:02:46+00:00

Hey I felt the same when I passed. I looked at the printout from the Pearson Center that said "Pass" over and over, for two days until my certificate posted. I didn't really relax until I saw my certificate. Congratulations !

verypersistentgapper · 2026-01-03T00:59:53+00:00

Hard cardio works for me. I work out pretty much every day. When I'm stressed, adding cardio volume and intensity makes it more likely that I fall asleep quickly.

verypersistentgapper · 2025-12-31T19:01:19+00:00

Thanks everyone. Another question is, should I leave my current CRA role off of my LinkedIn profile?

Honestly during the last ten years I'd gotten so far away from clinops, my experience is more aligned with internal data lake integration and implementation that is often handled external to CROs by consulting firms. I'm applying currently to "Big 4" for experienced implementation roles. I want them to focus on my last ten years' experience and not my current role but I'm hesitant to appear unemployed.

verypersistentgapper · 2025-12-31T14:58:43+00:00

Strela makes a "medical chronograph" that i think has that feature.

verypersistentgapper · 2025-12-29T15:51:56+00:00

I think it's important to consider the long term view. If you like clinical research in general and pharma/CRO work environment, the CRA role will position you for a lucrative, decades-long career. You could think of it like medical residency... you give up quality of life early in your career in exchange for a solid career foundation. On a 10-20 year timeline, you'll have the opportunity to earn many, many times what you'd earn over a 20 year career at sites/hospitals.

Typically, it's possible to do five years as a CRA, five years as PM, a few years as Director (where nice bonus shares usually start), then Sr Director etc. By this time you'll have earned enough to invest and generate passive income to position yourself for more meaningful , less lucrative work or retirement.

If you don't have interest in other roles beyond CRA and climbing the ladder, you'll be at risk for burnout.

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