The posting
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title
Clinical Research Scientist – Dermatology, Cosmetology & Product Research
Location: Chennai, India
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Competitive remuneration commensurate with qualifications, experience, scientific expertise, and prevailing industry standards.
Position Summary
We are seeking a motivated and scientifically driven Clinical Research Scientist to join our dermatology and cosmetology research team.
The Clinical Research Scientist will be responsible for designing, planning, leading, coordinating, implementing, analysing, and reporting clinical research and product evaluation studies conducted within the dermatology and cosmetology setup.
The role will provide an opportunity to work at the intersection of clinical research, dermatology, cosmetic product development, aesthetic medicine, and evidence generation. The candidate will work closely with dermatologists, clinical researchers, product development teams, statisticians, and external research collaborators.
The ideal candidate should have a strong foundation in research methodology, an interest in pursuing a long-term career in clinical research, and the ability to independently take research projects from concept development through study execution, analysis, reporting, and publication.
Eligibility Criteria
Essential Qualification
Candidates must possess one of the following:
- MBBS
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- MD in Community Medicine
Preferred Profile
Preference will be given to candidates who have:
- Prior experience in clinical or health research.
- Experience in planning, implementing, or coordinating research studies.
- Experience in scientific writing and publication.
- Experience in data analysis and interpretation.
- Exposure to dermatology, cosmetology, clinical trials, product evaluation, or healthcare research.
- A demonstrated interest and intent to build a long-term career in clinical research.
Candidates with strong research aptitude and potential may be considered even if their direct experience in dermatology or cosmetic research is limited.
Key Responsibilities
1. Clinical Research Planning & Study Implementation
- Identify and develop clinically relevant research questions in dermatology, cosmetology, aesthetic medicine, and product research.
- Develop research concepts, study objectives, hypotheses, and study designs.
- Prepare and review clinical research protocols, case report forms, informed consent documents, questionnaires, and other study-related documents.
- Plan and coordinate prospective and observational clinical studies, product evaluation studies, and investigator-initiated research.
- Lead or coordinate study implementation from initiation through completion.
- Monitor recruitment, participant follow-up, data collection, and study timelines.
- Ensure studies are conducted according to approved protocols and established research procedures.
- Coordinate with dermatologists, investigators, research coordinators, laboratories, statisticians, and external collaborators.
2. Dermatology, Cosmetology & Product Research
Plan and support research evaluating:
- Skincare and dermatological products.
- Haircare and scalp-care products.
- Cosmeceuticals.
- Nutraceuticals.
- Dermatological and aesthetic procedures.
- Medical and cosmetic devices.
- Clinic-developed formulations and treatment protocols.
The role will include evaluating efficacy, safety, tolerability, patient/consumer experience, and other relevant outcomes associated with products and interventions.
The candidate will also support generation of scientific evidence for product development and marketing claims.
3. Claims Substantiation & Evidence Generation
- Work with product development and marketing teams to identify scientifically relevant and measurable product claims.
- Assess the type of evidence required to substantiate proposed claims.
- Design or support consumer, clinical, and instrumental studies for claims validation.
- Develop appropriate study endpoints and assessment tools.
- Review existing scientific evidence supporting proposed product claims.
- Interpret study findings in relation to proposed claims.
- Prepare scientific evidence summaries and claims substantiation reports.
- Identify gaps in available evidence and recommend appropriate research strategies.
4. Clinical Outcome Assessment
- Develop and implement appropriate clinical and patient-reported outcome measures.
- Coordinate standardized assessment of dermatological outcomes, including:
- Acne severity
- Pigmentation and skin tone
- Skin hydration and barrier parameters
- Skin texture and smoothness
- Scarring
- Skin ageing
- Hair growth and hair loss
- Patient satisfaction
- Quality-of-life measures
- Support standardized clinical photography and image-based assessments.
- Ensure consistency and quality of outcome assessments across study visits.
5. Data Management & Statistical Analysis
- Develop and maintain study databases and research datasets.
- Perform data cleaning, verification, reconciliation, and quality checks.
- Identify and resolve data discrepancies.
- Conduct descriptive and appropriate inferential statistical analyses with support from statisticians where required.
- Interpret statistical outputs in the context of the research question and study design.
- Prepare tables, graphs, and summaries for research reports and presentations.
- Support interim and final analyses.
- Maintain organized and traceable research records.
Preferred software exposure:
- Microsoft Excel
- SPSS
- R
- STATA
- REDCap or other electronic data capture systems
6. Scientific Writing & Publications
The Clinical Research Scientist will be expected to actively contribute to the organization's scientific output.
Responsibilities include preparing:
- Clinical study reports.
- Research protocols.
- Scientific abstracts.
- Manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
- Conference posters and presentations.
- Research summaries.
- Literature reviews and evidence syntheses.
- Scientific reports and white papers.
- Internal research presentations.
The candidate will work with investigators and collaborators to take research projects from study completion to scientific dissemination and publication.
7. Ethics, Regulatory & Research Quality
- Prepare documentation for Institutional Ethics Committee/IRB submissions.
- Coordinate ethics submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and study closure documentation.
- Maintain essential study documentation and research records.
- Ensure adherence to approved protocols and institutional SOPs.
- Follow applicable ethical and clinical research requirements, including ICH-GCP where applicable.
- Support research monitoring, audits, and quality assurance activities.
- Ensure appropriate documentation of deviations, adverse events, and other study-related issues.
8. Research Strategy & Innovation
- Identify emerging research opportunities in dermatology, cosmetology, aesthetic medicine, skincare, and product development.
- Conduct literature reviews to identify evidence gaps and potential research questions.
- Propose new clinical and product research initiatives.
- Contribute to development of the organization's clinical research pipeline.
- Support collaborations with academic institutions, clinicians, research organizations, and industry partners.
- Contribute to building a strong culture of scientific research and publication within the organization.
Technical & Professional Skills
Essential
- Clinical research methodology.
- Study design and protocol development.
- Research data management and quality checks.
- Basic to intermediate statistical analysis.
- Scientific and medical writing.
- Literature review and evidence synthesis.
- Microsoft Excel.
- Good scientific communication skills.
Desirable
- SPSS, R, STATA, or equivalent statistical software.
- REDCap or other EDC platforms.
- Experience with clinical photography or image-based assessments.
- Experience with dermatological outcome measures.
- Experience with consumer or patient-reported outcome studies.
- Experience with clinical/product claims substantiation.
Preferred Certifications
- ICH-GCP Certification.
- Clinical Research Certification.
- Biostatistics training/certification.
- Medical or Scientific Writing certification.
Additional certifications in clinical data management, regulatory affairs, or pharmacovigilance may be advantageous but are not mandatory.
Key Competencies
Scientific & Analytical
- Strong research aptitude.
- Critical thinking and scientific reasoning.
- Ability to interpret clinical and research data.
- Evidence-based decision-making.
- Attention to detail.
Research Management
- Ability to plan and execute studies.
- Project and timeline management.
- Problem-solving ability.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of research projects.
Communication
- Strong scientific writing skills.
- Clear verbal communication.
- Ability to communicate scientific concepts to clinicians, scientists, and non-scientific stakeholders.
- Presentation skills.
Leadership
- Ability to take ownership of research projects.
- Initiative to identify and pursue new research opportunities.
- Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
- Mentoring and supervision of junior research staff as the role develops.
- Strong commitment to scientific quality and research integrity.
Career Opportunity
This position offers significant scope for professional growth for candidates who are interested in building a long-term career in clinical research, dermatology research, product research, and scientific affairs.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to progressively take responsibility for:
Research Concept → Protocol Development → Study Leadership → Data Analysis → Scientific Reporting → Publication → Research Strategy
As the research program expands, the role can progress into senior scientific and research leadership positions.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who is not simply seeking a clinical research job, but wants to build a career in research.
The ideal candidate will be scientifically curious, proactive, detail-oriented, comfortable working with data, and willing to take ownership of research projects. An interest in dermatology, cosmetology, skincare, and product research is highly desirable.
Candidates who demonstrate strong research potential, leadership qualities, and a genuine commitment to scientific work will be particularly valued.
