A B. Sc. degree is a must to enter this field. Ideally the industry is looking for science graduates from pharmacy, medicine, life science and bio science. Within bio science too there are various other fields such as botany, zoology, biochemistry and genetics. Anybody who fulfills these criteria can join the industry.

Individuals with prior work experience of 2-3 years are preferred, but like the BPO industry, there is a dearth of trained professionals here too. Thus, with the right qualifications finding a job in clinical research should not be a problem.

Academy for Clinical Excellence (ACE) Website: www.aceindia.org It offers courses like Clinical Research; From Theory to Practice, clinical Research and GCP for investigators, Quality assurance in clinical research etc.

Institute of Clinical Research (ICRI) Website: www.icriindia.com It offers the following courses:

. Two year full time - Masters in Clinical research + MBA

. Two year full time - MSC in Clinical Research

. Part-time post graduate diploma in Clinical Research (1 year)

. PhD in Clinical Research.

Bombay College of Pharmacy: Website: www.bcpindia.org Offers Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral programme of study in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Cliniminds - Academy for Clinical Research Training & Management - Website: http://www.cliniminds.com - institute offers wide range of clincial research courses; diploma programs in Pharmacovigilance; Quality Assurance in Clinical Research; Biostatistics; Investigators; GCP Training; Monitoring and several other programs.

There are many more reputed institutes in India and abroad imparting expertise in Clinical Research.