A clinical researcher is a medical or scientific professional who designs, conducts, analyzes, and reports on studies involving human participants to advance medical knowledge and improve patient care.

Core Definition: A clinical researcher investigates the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of medical interventions—such as drugs, devices, procedures, or behavioral therapies—through methodologically rigorous studies involving human subjects.

Key Responsibilities: Designing clinical trials (e.g. Phase I–IV studies)

Developing protocols and ensuring ethical compliance (often under Good Clinical Practice – GCP)

Recruiting and monitoring patients

Collecting and analyzing data

Interpreting results to inform clinical practice or regulatory decisions

Publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals

Typical Background: May have training in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, biostatistics, epidemiology, or biomedical science

Often works in hospitals, universities, research institutes, contract research organizations (CROs), or pharmaceutical/biotech companies

Scope: Clinical researchers are central to translational medicine, bridging the gap between basic science and patient care. Their work underpins evidence-based medicine.