Ask the Experts: Research Careers Month – Laboratory Careers

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• AUGUSTINE ONYEAGHALA - Senior Contributor 24 Jun 2015

  @ Palma: Thank you for your questions. Laboratory data is very critical and indispensable in the clinical evaluation of investigational new drug. This implies that professionals who will be engaged in the study that will generate data for review by regulatory agency prior to drug approval should be familiar with all regulatory provisions, processes , procedures and ethical regulations required to function competently and effectively. To this end, to work in a clinical trial laboratory, a good background in clinical laboratory science is essential . A lot of clinical and pathological terms are used during clinical trial of drugs of which generation of laboratory data is a component. Inability to understand these terminologies could be a limiting factor.

  Again, a good knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) regulations is inevitable. These are documents which if properly understood do help professionals and would-be clinical trial professionals to function well in a clinical trial environment including laboratory operations. As a rule, every laboratory handling clinical trial samples should comply with the GCLP regulations. Compliance with the regulations implies that the data generated from such lab is reliable and can be used to support application for new therapies seeking approval . I am glad to inform you that you can get basic training on the above regulations from the Global Health Network

  Regarding your second question, I think modalities vary from country to country. I suggest that you should find out which modality is applicable to individuals within your locality and follow same to achieve your career desire.
  Thank you.
  

• Palma Romero 24 Jun 2015

  Hi all and thank you very much for the interesting and useful contributions.

  My questions are:
  - What are the required skills and training to work in clinical trial laboratories?

  - How can a clinician qualify to work in a laboratory setting?

  Many thanks.

• adegboyegadipo1 13 Jun 2015

  Many Thanks.

• Karla Lam 11 Jun 2015

  Thank you very much to our three experts for their useful and extremely valuable contributions.

  Remember that Ask the Experts: Research Careers Month – Laboratory Careers will be running throughout June, so take advantage of this great opportunity and keep posting questions about lab-related careers issues.
  

• Karla Lam 11 Jun 2015

  Dear ADEGBOYEGA Oladipo,

  Apart for the very valuable advice our experts have provided, I would like to mention that Global Health Laboratories has two articles about types of jobs and opportunities in scientific research and development careers and also about alternative careers related to science.

  You can access them here:
  https://globalhealthlaboratories.tghn.org/articles/scientific-research-and-development-careers/
  https://globalhealthlaboratories.tghn.org/articles/science-alternatives/

• adegboyegadipo1 8 Jun 2015

  Thanks. ..Really appreciate you all for your contributions. Looking forward for the best.

• Motiur Rahman - Senior Contributor 7 Jun 2015

  I agree there are lot's of opportunities in NGO sector. This includes US INGO,s other international INGO,s and local NGO,s. However, opportunities for laboratory professionals are limited in NGO's, but opportunities for public health professionals are huge. NGO sector need more public health professionals and scientists to develop efficient and effective health care delivery system in resource poor settings. The management cost for health care delivery system in resource poor setting is still high.

• Anton Bussink - Senior Contributor 6 Jun 2015

  Dear Oladipo,

  To add to the answer given by Dr. Rahman: next to opportunities in the industry there may also be options within the non-profit sector. Some specialization may be required, since NGO's usually work with vertical programs, focussing on a single disease or health problem. Some knowledge and experience in public health, next to technical and scientific skills will also be required.
  As for your last question, I agree with Dr. Rahman that transparency in decision making processes is essential. Additionally, on a more personal level, I think it's imperative for scientists to focus on the long term, both in our research projects as well as career planning. Rivalry is often short-lived, whereas your past accomplishments (especially publications) are with you forever.

• Anton Bussink - Senior Contributor 5 Jun 2015

  Hi Tsitsi,
  You may want to have a look at seedinglabs.org. They support research initiatives with equipment and training, although your eligibility will depend on your location, in which sector you work, and what exactly you want to test.

• Motiur Rahman - Senior Contributor 5 Jun 2015

  @ADEGBOYEGA Oladipo

  There are lots of opportunities for upcoming scientists in non academic environment. Clinical trial industry is growing at a fast face and there are not enough training people to fill the gap. Upcoming scientists might need to think what they want to do in future? Maintaining an academic position and working part-time in non academic setting is not a practical approach. So if you want to build your carrier in non academic environment, clinical trial, pharmacology, pharmaceuticals, medical device etc etc, you may need to focus on those.

  There are many ways now a days to access those opportunities including but not limited to company website, head hunters website, job fair, job opportunity alert etc etc.

  Professional rivalry in research institute has always been there and a healthy transparent competition is actually good for science. Unfortunately sometime it disproportionate and discourage young growing scientists. Transparent policies in funding, administration, research publications and access to materials and data is the first step to overcome this.

• AUGUSTINE ONYEAGHALA - Senior Contributor 4 Jun 2015

  @ Tsitsi, well done for your efforts. I think to get possible funding to meet equipment and human resources needs from any organization, you and your theme need to first convenience the would –be funding agency that you would add value to their operations with a view to meeting the organization’s objectives . To move forward, my candid recommendations are:
  •Pharmacology is a very board specialty; so, identify the area of pharmacology and disease area you and your theme is interested in-diabetes, hypertension, tropical diseases, diseases of poverty , cancer, anti-inflammatory disorders, etc.
  •Search for organization (s) interested in funding research in the identified area
  •Develop your proposal and send in your application
  

• Tsitsi G. Monera-Penduka 4 Jun 2015

  Good day,
  I am part of a research collaboration that has been trying to establish a Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory. We have struggled with acquiring funding for equipment and human resources required to establish and validate methods that we can then use to attract clients. In your opinion, what is the best way to make a case for start up equipment and human resource capacity building in the developmental stage of a research support or contract research pharmacology lab?

• adegboyegadipo1 3 Jun 2015

  My Questions:
  1. Please can you enumerate what opportunities are available (both locally and globally) for upcoming scientists in the so called "non academic settings", for professional and career development, mentoring and visibility. Especially for those who would wish to be relevant in academic and research environment
  2. How can these opportunities be accessed ?
  3. What would be your Ethical suggestions for overcoming professional disharmony and unhealthy professional rivalry in our institutions. e.g Health institutions
  Thanks