In this edition of our Career Perspectives series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Svensson, Principal Consultant Clinical Project Management at Cytel Sweden. With a background in medical sciences and experience ranging from clinical research to science journalism, she shares insights into her professional path,  the dynamic nature of her current role, and the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

Can you give us a little background on your career so far? What inspired you to pursue a master’s degree in medical sciences, and how did that lead to your first jobs as a Clinical Research Associate?

Science — and especially human biology — has always fascinated me. During high school I focused on science subjects, which made choosing my university studies easy. I initially pursued engineering in biotechnology but later shifted my focus entirely to medical science, eventually earning my master’s degree in that field.
In the last six months before completing my degree, I took a course in clinical trials, which first sparked my interest in the subject. However, I was not entirely convinced at the time and initially pursued a career in academia. Later, I got an opportunity when a friend recommended me for a position as a Clinical Research Associate at a small company in Uppsala. I quickly felt at home and was fortunate to join a workplace that valued independence and trust. Plus, it was a lot of fun.
During my first year, I gained experience in all aspects of clinical trials. I was even involved in designing electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs). The work environment was excellent, and I truly enjoyed my time there. I especially liked working closely with sponsors, often small companies filled with passionate and engaged people.

Alongside your role as a Clinical Research Associate, you also worked as a Science Journalist for Swedish TV for a year. How did that opportunity come about, and what was that experience like? How did it complement or contrast with your work in clinical research?

I think I have a curious mind and a passion for learning. I took a year off from work and pursued a fast-track journalism program, earning a degree in the field. This was before I had my own family, and I thought about it as a “now or never” opportunity. As part of the program, I applied for a six-month internship with the Swedish TV science program Vetenskapens Värld — and was thrilled to be accepted. Following the internship, I continued working as a science reporter for another six months, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. I worked with their website, delivering science news daily. I also worked directly with the TV shows, producing two larger segments with different topics — including one on children and sports, and the significant difference being born early or late in the year can make.

Compared to the world of clinical trials with a lot of regulations, working in media is much more flexible. I was completely out of my comfort zone, but I also learned a lot. I think most of the things it taught me are still applicable in my work today. It is always beneficial to learn how to communicate well and get your message through. Stepping out of your comfort zone is also an experience, although it might feel scary at the time. Honestly, I was a bit stressed, but it was also a lot of fun.

You started at SDS Life Science in 2021 and became part of Cytel, following its acquisition. How was that transition for you, and what were the biggest adjustments to working within a larger organization?

I have experience working in large organizations, including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), so transitioning to a bigger company was not unfamiliar to me. Before joining Cytel, I worked at Medtronic, another large American company, and many of the processes at Cytel were similar to what I was already accustomed to.

In terms of my daily work, the transition didn’t bring significant changes. Although being part of a larger organization changes the dynamics, it also creates other possibilities. Now, I have the opportunity to work with people from other departments such as Project Based Solutions (PBS), and I have met a lot of skilled and competent people.

You are now a Principal Consultant Clinical Project Management at Cytel. What does your function entail? Could you walk us through a typical workday?

As a consultant in Clinical Project Management, I help clients with the sponsor oversight of their trials, ensuring adherence to Good Clinical Practice as well as making sure that the reported data is of high quality. I act as the primary contact between the sponsor and the CRO and collaborate closely with the CRO’s counterpart in project management. I also facilitate communication across the project, especially between cross-functional teams such as statisticians, data managers, and other key stakeholders.

As a clinical project manager, it is essential to have proper training in both medical science and clinical trials to be able to adhere to regulatory requirements while also being able to understand the clinical part of the projects. I think that is the most important aspect of being a clinical project manager.

For our clients, sponsor oversight is also key to a successful project. If you do not diligently oversee your trial, while it is ongoing, it can be detrimental to your project. Having proper sponsor oversight is also a requirement within ICH-GCP E6.

I wouldn’t say that I have a typical workday, as it largely depends on current priorities. However, my work involves a great deal of problem-solving, structuring workflows, and frequent emailing to stay updated on the project’s status. The scope of work also varies depending on where the client is on their journey.

During the start-up phase of a trial, my focus is on laying a strong foundation — either by helping to select the most suitable CRO or by working with the chosen vendor to establish proper processes and solid study plans. So, the daily work could involve either attending bid-defense meetings at the start of a project or spending a lot of time reviewing or possibly even writing study plans.

As the trial progresses into the middle stages, my role shifts towards extensive follow-up and quality control to maintain efficiency and compliance. Overall, my daily work involves a lot of meetings and status updates via email.

What do you enjoy most about your role, and about working at Cytel?

Working with sponsor oversight often means a close collaboration with the sponsor and you therefore easily become “part of their team”. That is something I really enjoy.

You also get the privilege to deep dive into a project and learn a lot about a specific area or therapy which is very interesting. I like the variety that my role includes. You can go from one project in oncology to another that has a completely different therapy in focus or even a device instead of drug. The variety is what is the most interesting, and I enjoy the challenge of being a problem solver. I’m passionate about what I do.

I am especially happy during my current project, which has grown from solely sponsor oversight and statistics to involve many people at Cytel Sweden and within our PBS team. My colleagues are great at what they do, which makes working together on this project incredibly enjoyable.

Your job not only requires a keen understanding of clinical trials, but also collaboration and communication. Are there any other skills you believe are required to succeed in this role?

As mentioned, my role involves a great deal of cross-functional collaboration. I guess you could say that as a clinical project manager, I am more of a generalist than a specialist, and I truly enjoy working that way. Two key skills you mentioned — collaboration and communication — are essential, but I believe that prioritization and structured work are equally important. In high-pressure projects where timelines are critical, it’s crucial to take a step back, adopt a broader perspective, and focus on what is most important in that moment.

Your role involves working from our office, our client’s office, and remotely. How do you maintain work-life balance while switching between these environments? Do you still feel you have flexibility in your schedule?

I have 2 small kids at home (6 and 3 years old) and they keep me busy when I am not at work. Just like many other people, I am juggling a schedule that includes dropping the kids off to pre-school and rushing off to get into the office (or the client’s office).

I love Cytel’s Stockholm office central location, which helps a lot when commuting to town. I also think that there is flexibility when you are not required to come into the office 5 days a week. It helps to keep the life-work balance. Recently I bought an e-bike which is very convenient! I live about 17 km from the office one way so having a motor to support my cycling is nice.

Finally, when you’re not diving into work, what hobbies or passions keep you busy?

Well, as I said, I think my two kids keep me rather busy. I also live in a house with a garden that requires a bit of work, although that is currently not a top priority. If I had more time however, I would like to be more outdoors, since I really enjoy cycling, kayaking and climbing. During winter, my top hobby is cross-country skiing. I live close to the ocean, so I have promised myself to bring out my stand-up paddleboard more often. Last summer, I managed to get out on the board twice in the early morning to get some exercise in — or, as it turned out, just to sit and enjoy the view.

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your experience!

Share Via