A Complete Guide to Premier Research Interview Questions

Interviewing at Premier Research can seem intimidating. As one of the world’s leading clinical research organizations, they receive thousands of applications every year. Competition is fierce for research associate, clinical research coordinator, and other roles within the company.

While the interview will likely feel high-pressure being prepared can help settle your nerves. Understanding the types of Premier Research interview questions you’re likely to face is key. This allows you to think through your responses in advance reducing anxiety on the big day.

In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect in your Premier Research interview. You’ll learn about:

• An Overview of Premier Research and the Interview Process
• Common Behavioral and Situational Interview Questions
• Technical Questions to Prepare For
• Questions to Ask the Interviewer
• Tips for Acing Your Premier Research Interview

Let’s get started!

Overview of Premier Research and the Interview Process

Premier Research operates over 75 clinical research sites across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. They partner with biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies to advance drug development.

Premier Research employees support clinical trials in a variety of roles These include

• Clinical Research Associates
• Clinical Research Coordinators
• Medical Writers
• Data Management Analysts
• Biostatisticians
• Medical Directors
• Project Managers
• And More

The interview process varies slightly depending on the role. But in most cases, here’s what you can expect:

• Initial Phone Screen: A 15-30 minute call with a recruiter to evaluate your experience and salary expectations.

• Technical Interview: A 45-60 minute meeting (remote or in-person) focused on your skills for the role. Expect both behavioral and technical questions.

• Panel Interview: A 2-4 hour in-person interview with 4-6 team members. You’ll meet with managers and potential coworkers and have meals together.

• Reference Checks: The recruiter will call 2-3 professional references you provide.

The entire process can take 2-6 weeks from initial phone screen to offer. It’s extremely thorough, so coming prepared is key.

Now, let’s talk about the types of Premier Research interview questions you’re likely to receive.

Common Behavioral and Situational Interview Questions

Behavioral and situational interview questions allow hiring managers to understand how you’ve handled workplace situations in the past. They reveal your thought process, judgment, and compatibility with the role.

Some common behavioral questions at Premier Research include:

• Tell me about a time you had to rapidly learn something complex on short notice. How did you approach it? This shows how you handle ambiguity and pick up new information quickly. Clinical research is constantly evolving so adaptability is key.

• Describe a situation where you had to coordinate or manage multiple projects at once. How did you prioritize and stay organized? Juggling many clinical trials simultaneously is essential for most Premier Research roles. This question tests your time management abilities under pressure.

• Walk me through a time you had a conflict with a team member. How was it resolved? Premier Research wants employees who can maintain composure during disagreements and find solutions professionally. Past conflict management is revealing.

• Tell me about a challenging ethical issue you faced at work. What steps did you take to address it? Ethics are crucial when human lives are at stake in clinical trials. This assesses your judgment in difficult “grey area” situations.

Situational questions present you with a hypothetical challenge and ask what you would do. For example:

• A study sponsor insists on using an unvalidated vendor for an important service. You strongly disagree with this decision for quality reasons. What would you do? This reveals how you balance speaking up against questionable practices while maintaining partnerships.

• You notice a coordinator consistently entering data late, delaying the study timeline. What steps would you take to address this issue and prevent future delays? This tests how you’d handle underperformance on your team in a professional manner.

• Halfway through a trial, new safety concerns arise around the study drug. How would you proceed to protect participant safety and study integrity? Your response demonstrates your clinical research ethics, critical thinking, and risk management skills.

For both behavioral and situational questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) when framing your responses. Provide specific examples and metrics when possible.

Technical Interview Questions to Prepare For

In addition to behavioral questions, expect in-depth technical questions tailored to your role at Premier Research.

For clinical research associates and coordinators, common questions include:

• Walk me through the clinical trial process from site selection to FDA submission.
• What documents must the IRB review before approving a study protocol?
• What are inclusion and exclusion criteria? Provide examples you’ve worked with.
• ExplainGood Clinical Practice (GCP). Why is it important?
• Describe the difference between an adverse event (AE) and a serious adverse event (SAE).
• What safety concerns would cause you to immediately stop a trial?
• Tell me about your experience with informed consent processes.

For data management roles, be ready to discuss:

• Different types of clinical data and how each should be handled.
• The data cleansing and validation process.
• Methods for dealing with missing or irregular data points.
• Experience with data mining, management, and visualization tools like Oracle, SAS, Rave, etc.
• Statistical analysis methods used to assess trial outcomes.
• Database design, management, quality control, and security.

Medical writers should brush up on:

• Logistics of preparing regulatory documents like study protocols and clinical study reports.
• Communicating complex scientific information to different audiences clearly and accurately.
• The MedDRA coding system for adverse events.
• Experience writing on different clinical trial phases and drug types.
• Regulatory writing experience with FDA and EMA submissions.

For any role, expect to explain your specific experiences, skills, and software proficiencies listed on your resume in detail. Thoroughly review your own background before the interview.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Towards the end of the interview, you will have a chance to ask your own questions. Prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions to show your engagement and interest in Premier Research.

Some good options include:

• How would you describe the culture at Premier Research? What do you enjoy most about working here?
• What are the biggest challenges facing your department currently?
• What induction training is provided for new hires?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and career advancement long-term?
• What do you feel are the most important qualities for someone to succeed in this role?

Avoid questions with yes or no answers. And do not ask anything too personal of the interviewer or negative about the company. Save those for your own research on sites like Glassdoor.

Tips for Acing Your Premier Research Interview

Here are a few final tips to enter your Premier Research interview with confidence:

• Practice answering common questions aloud until responses feel natural.
• Review your resume and qualifications thoroughly to avoid stumbling on your own experience.
• Research Premier Research – their clients, therapeutic areas, leadership team, values, and culture.
• Prepare questions to ask at the end to show your engagement.
• Dress professionally and conservatively, even for remote interviews.
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early to get settled or do tech checks.
• Make eye contact and speak clearly in a calm, friendly manner.
• Thank the interviewer and follow up promptly with any additional notes.

With preparation, you can impress the Premier Research team with your clinical research expertise. Use this guide to understand the major interview questions and polish your responses. You’ll be ready to land the job and advance vital new therapies.

Good luck with your Premier Research interview! You’ve got this.