role of NP in research

It depends. Can you describe the research program in more detail. How many protocols do you have open at a time? How is enrollment? Do you have any support staff for regulatory issues? Are you new to research in general? Would you be seeing non-research patients? I have known NP/Coordinators but they are utilized for research patients only.

If these are industry trials you would most likely be serving as a sub-I. I have never seen a non-MD (or other appropriate doctoral prepared person) be qualified by a drug company to be PI or Co-PI. The research you were exposed to in graduate school serves as a good reference point but clinical trials is a whole different ballgame. The NPs I have known who were intimatly involved in research (vs seeing patients who may be on trials) acted mainly as coordinators. They really only utilized their NP skills to things that were allowed per protocol such as physicals or minor drug adjustments. Other than that, their job description was the same as the RN coordinators. It is not the best use of the NP education IMO unless research is your passion. I guess it would help to know what kind of practice you are in. It would be easier to give you tailored advice with that information.