Drug Development Research Associate

A drug development research associate is the technician or research assistant responsible for carrying out various tests on new drugs that are in development stages. It is very important the results can be duplicated consistently in drug manufacturing and research and the drug development research associate completes these repetitive tests. Often the research group will tell the research associate what types of test to run, but in some agencies the associate will determine the research tests themselves based on their knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology or biotechnology.

Most drug development research associates have a Bachelor of Science degree an area of biology, chemistry, or biotechnology. In addition they have additional training on specific equipment and laboratory procedures. This equipment may include centrifuge machines, microplate counting apparatus, and live cell culture system testing. Accuracy and an ability to replicate exact tests and experiments consistently across a variety of procedures are very important. Some drug development research associates will also work with radioactive material in specific tests and should be familiar with correct protocol for handling this material.

Drug development research associates may work for pharmaceutical companies, independent labs, or work on a project-by-project basis with different labs or companies. Depending on the type of work that is being completed and the types of tests used the associate may have a supervisory role over lab technicians or may also work directly with the researchers. It is not uncommon for associates to be part of the group that reports or publishes findings and he or she may also be asked to give presentations or training on new testing protocols developed during the project.

Common work activities include:

• Meeting with researchers and project developers to discuss the various types of tests that need to be completed on the drug.
• Designing, developing and implementing new testing procedures as required.
• Modifying current testing procedures to meet requirements of the project.
• Using various research design, laboratory equipment and materials to compete tests.
• Keeping highly accurate records of all testing on various computer programs, logs, tracking reports and other data sheets.
• Preparing test results and data and presenting information to various groups as requested.

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