Clinical Research Associate Cover Letter


A Clinical Research Associate (CRA) organizes and administers clinical trials of new or current drugs in order to assess the benefits and risks of using them. They conduct research to ensure these products are safe to allow on the market. Clinical Research Associates are usually employed by research organizations or pharmaceutical companies. While applying for a Clinical Research Associate job position, a cover letter can make the difference between being called for a job interview and having your application ignored by a recruiter. A cover letter provides detailed information on why you are qualified for the Clinical Research Associate position you are applying for. Therefore it makes good sense to devote the necessary time and effort to writing an effective cover letter. The following Clinical Research Associate cover letter template will help you to write a cover letter that best highlights your experience, skills and qualifications. NB: This is just a sample template. You are advised not to simply copy and use it word for word, but to instead use it to gain ideas and inspiration.  

Sample Clinical Research Associate Cover Letter Template

[Your Name],

[Your Address],

[Your City, Your State].

[Phone]

Email]

[Current Date]

Mr. Ed Smith, The Hiring Manager, [Company Name], [Company Address].   Dear Mr. Smith, With this letter and the attached resume, I would like to express my sincere interest in the Clinical Research Associate position you have available. As a detail-oriented and analytical professional with key experience in clinical drug testing and evaluation, I possess a range of knowledge that will allow me to contribute toward the success of your research team. Through my experience, I have become well versed in conducting in-depth research, analyzing data, and managing databases to assess and report on drug benefits and risks prior to market release. Additionally, I have continually demonstrated a vast knowledge of the health sciences sector, as well as the ability to integrate superior organization and communication skills across all levels of research. Please consider the following highlights of my experience:
  • Recruiting, training, and collaborating with research assistants while organizing, analyzing, and managing large data sets to drive research project success.
  • Ensuring compliance with a broad span of regulations and guidelines.
  • Serving as a Research Associate for [Company Name], conducting research into new drugs designed to treat type 2 diabetes; creating trial protocols, working closely with ethics committees, verifying data, and writing detailed reports of findings.
  • Delivering reports, analysis, and productive recommendations to prescribers, leading to maximum patient care and minimal costs associated with adverse drug reactions or ineffective therapies.
My dedication to research excellence will translate into both dedication and diligence for the work performed for your company. Thank you for your consideration; I look forward to speaking with you soon.   Yours sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Name]

Instructions for using this Clinical Research Associate Cover Letter Template:

  1. Copy and paste the text into a Microsoft Word document.
  2. Personalize your cover letter. Fill up the blank spaces with your personal details.
  3. Customize the content to match the specific skills and expertise that the job requires. To do this, you'll need to know what the employer wants from you as a Clinical Research Associate.
    • The biggest clues are found within the job advertisement, so spend some time reading through it and understanding its specific requirements.
    • Make a list of your relevant experience and skills.
    • Next, match your skills and qualifications with the employer's wants and needs. For instance, if the job advert calls for a strong leader, think of examples of when you've successfully led a team.
  4. Apply proper styling and formatting to the document where necessary for a more professional look.
  5. Fix any spelling and grammatical errors.
For more information on the basics of cover letter writing, check out a comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter. You may also need a sample resume / cv for Clinical Research Associate.