The potential RA candidates

[QuillRose]

Typically, the most potential Regulatory affairs candidates are senior, industry-seasoned professionals who can chart a successful regulatory strategy for the organization in question. Such a person will have firsthand knowledge of what strategies work or do not work, will probably have good government agency contacts at this stage of his career and will be able to provide mentoring capabilities for the less-seasoned staff members. The typical profile is for someone with a Ph.D. and, depending on the level of the position – manager, director, etc - anywhere from 5 years to 15 years of related industrial experience.
Younger candidates like science-major undergraduates, graduate students and young scientists who are eager to test the waters in Regulatory affairs are advised to make sure – before they go too far down this road - it is an avenue they really want to pursue. The best way to do this is to talk to people who work in Regulatory affairs. However this initiative must not just focus on the positives, but explore the negatives as well.
When a company wants to hire someone without Regulatory affairs experience, it makes the most sense to do it from within. So one strategy is to get a job working for a company some other way – maybe a research position – then, when an opportunity opens up in regulatory compliance or a related field, make it known that you are very interested.