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CRA Drive

Define your future in clinical research 
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Benefits of CRA Drive
CRA Academy
Success Stories
Drive Entry Points

Clinical Research Associate Drive: Program Overview


You now have a chance to pair your personal traits with the vast resources at Thermo Fisher Scientific to become a world-class Clinical Research Associate (CRA). Build a rewarding career through CRA Drive, our unique CRA training program within the clinical monitoring career area.

Fueled by our values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement - CRA Drive empowers and prepares you to deliver life-changing therapies to improve health on a global scale. We are devoted to the success of our colleagues, customers and patients alike. Our program offers multiple points of entry for individuals at various levels of experience and is a great way to pursue your career goals.

Who is eligible for CRA Drive?

Recent Graduates


​​​​​​​If you hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in life sciences or a clinical research field, have completed coursework in medical terminology and anatomy/physiology and have a strong interest in the pharmaceutical industry, you may qualify. You can join as a Clinical Trial Coordinator (CTC), Assistant Clinical Research Associate (ACRA), or Country Approval Specialist (CAS) and advance to the CRA role.

Established Clinical Professionals


​​​​​​​Should you seek a new way to apply your skills, you may thrive in this program. Your credentials should include a clinical or medical certification/license (i.e., RN, PharmD, M.D.) or equivalent and/or relevant formal academic/vocational training, related experience, and/or clinical research coordinator experience.

Benefits of CRA Drive
Experience career growth with flexible promotions
 For CRAs, we offer regular promotion cycles throughout the year, providing you the opportunity to grow your career at your own pace and maximize your potential.
Enjoy continuous support
 Our commitment to mentorship throughout the program, and beyond, will inspire you. Thrive within a collaborative setting, where you learn and grow as a part of a team.
Earn while you learn
 CRA Drive consists of fully salaried positions featuring comprehensive training and development opportunities, so you can explore your potential as you build a career.
Explore our vast array of professional areas
 You will be empowered to gain exposure to many different therapeutic areas and phases of clinical trials. You can also work in a customer-dedicated capacity or support customer projects in on-site and remote roles.
Gain additional development resources
 Our CRA Compass Toolkit offers CRAs an extensive collection of career development resources.
Complimentary membership in the ACRP
 CRAs are provided with membership in and access to the resources of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

About Our CRA Academy Program


Every CRA who is new to the role or new to the organization will complete the CRA Academy. The CRA Academy launched in 2013 to develop and train high-quality, entry-level CRAs. Since then, more than 2,500 Academy CRAs have been successfully placed on studies at all levels of therapeutic area complexity, and all study phases. The CRA Academy has placed colleagues on studies in more than 40 countries, demonstrating our commitment to meeting the needs of customers and developing colleagues in all regions.

CRA Academy Program Highlights

Dedicated six weeks of training

You’ll learn about topics from soft skills to therapeutic areas, attend instructor-led live sessions and receive role-play and field training to ensure the confidence, critical thinking and relationship-building skills essential to success. 
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Ongoing support and development

You’ll experience a collaborative, engaging environment where you can be yourself and realize your full potential. Before, during and after the program, you will have access to mentorship from managers and leaders.

Successful Results

Award winning recognition

Academy CRAs have earned PharmaTimes Clinical Researcher of the Year finalist, bronze, silver and gold awards as well as internal performance awards within their first years after graduation!

Future leaders

Graduates of our CRA Academy are often well-positioned to advance to roles such as Clinical Trial Manager, Project Manager and other leadership positions.

Elevated performance 

Performance metrics for Academy CRAs are reviewed regularly to closely monitor quality standards. On average, Academy CRAs achieve similar or better results compared to their non-Academy peers.
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Hear from our colleagues

“After graduating, I was more grounded in the knowledge and application of clinical research tenets, could identify my strengths and felt empowered to reach out to my trainers and peers.” 
Enoh, Principal CRA

“They truly care about my career goals and where I want to be, and they motivate me to meet those goals.” 
William, Principal CRA

“I was promoted to CTM in October 2019, with the same customer who accepted me as a brand-new CRA. It has been an incredible opportunity, and I have learned a lot. I love the CRA role.” 
Rachel, Principal CRA

“What a huge contribution to the organization, bringing all these talented people into our workforce, while offering them great growth opportunities.”
Jan-Maarten, Senior Director of Project Management

Start your story today. Become a CRA with the world leader in serving science.
If you’re enthusiastic and committed to success, here are three roles to consider. Each role lends to your potential of becoming a CRA.

Clinical Trial Coordinator (CTC)

Perform quality control and revise documents, distribute compliance reports, route documentation and coordinate meetings and agendas.

Country Approval Specialist (CAS)

Provide site selection support for awarded projects and organize regulatory country submissions to activate investigative sites.

Assistant Clinical Research Associate (ACRA)

Complete remote site management and monitoring activities on assigned projects in accordance with all regulations, guidelines and procedural documents.