Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in California

Clinical Research Assistant jobs in California concentrate in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and academic medical research, with the state representing one of the most active markets in the country for this role at every level from entry-level coordinator to senior research associate. Most hiring is centered in San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers such as Genentech, UC San Diego Health, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center maintain large, ongoing clinical trial programs. The most in-demand specialties are oncology trials, phase I/II study coordination, and regulatory data management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles232+
Top employerCedars-Sinai Medical Center
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring69
Work type51% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 232+ Clinical Research Assistant jobs

Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Clinical Research Coordinator I
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Children's Hospital Los Angeles
New 16h ago
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$66k - $87k/yr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Stanford University
Clinical Research Coordinator Associate
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Stanford University
New 18h ago
Clinical Research Coordinator Associate
Stanford University
Stanford, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Stanford University
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator (50% FTE)
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Stanford University
New 21h ago
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator (50% FTE)
Stanford University
Stanford, California
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Physical Therapy
Hybrid
10,000+

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PAVIR
Clinical Research Coordinator II - The Nallamshetty Lab
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PAVIR
Added 1d ago
Clinical Research Coordinator II - The Nallamshetty Lab
PAVIR
Palo Alto, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$95k - $134k/yr
Doctoral degree
201-500

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PAVIR
Clinical Research Coordinator I – The Nallamshetty Lab
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PAVIR
Added 1d ago
Clinical Research Coordinator I – The Nallamshetty Lab
PAVIR
Palo Alto, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Research & Academia
$35.19 - $45.67/hr
Bachelor's degree
201-500

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See All 232+ Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in California

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Clinical Research Assistant Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Stanford
16 jobs
Orange
8 jobs
Duarte
7 jobs
Irvine
6 jobs
Beverly Hills
6 jobs
Davis
4 jobs

Clinical Research Assistant Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center26
  • University of California - San Francisco
    University of California - San Francisco25
  • Stanford University
    Stanford University18
  • Kaiser Permanente
    Kaiser Permanente10
  • UCLA Health
    UCLA Health8

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education18
  • Healthcare & Medical Services14
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals11
  • Medical Devices3
  • Consulting & Professional Services2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research assistant jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in life sciences, biology, public health, or a related field
  • Familiarity with FDA regulations and Good Clinical Practice guidelines
  • Experience with electronic data capture systems such as REDCap or Medidata
  • Strong attention to detail for accurate case report form completion and source documentation
  • Ability to coordinate with IRB submissions and maintain regulatory binders
  • Certification as a Clinical Research Coordinator or equivalent credential preferred by California employers

Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research assistant in California?

A bachelor's degree in a life science field is the standard entry point for clinical research assistant roles in California. California does not issue a state-specific license for this role, but most California employers expect candidates to complete Good Clinical Practice training and pursue a credential such as the Certified Clinical Research Professional or Certified Clinical Research Coordinator through the Society of Clinical Research Associates or the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Large academic medical centers and biotech employers in the Bay Area and San Diego often require at least one of these credentials for independent work.

Which companies hire clinical research assistants in California?

Employers hiring clinical research assistants in California right now include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California - San Francisco, and Stanford University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's high concentration of biotech headquarters, academic health systems, and contract research organizations means hiring is consistent throughout the year across multiple sub-specialties.

Which California cities have the most clinical research assistant jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Stanford have the most clinical research assistant openings in California. The Bay Area and San Diego lead because they are home to a high density of biotech and pharmaceutical companies, major academic medical centers, and contract research organizations, while Los Angeles hiring is driven largely by its large hospital networks and university-affiliated research programs at institutions such as UCLA and USC.

Are there remote clinical research assistant jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 49% of clinical research assistant openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the fact that most of the role involves on-site patient interaction, specimen handling, and source document verification at clinical facilities. The parts of the role most likely to be performed remotely are regulatory document preparation, data entry and query resolution, and IRB correspondence.

How can I get hired as a clinical research assistant in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is completing a clinical research internship or volunteer research position through a California university medical center, such as those affiliated with the UC system or Cedars-Sinai, before applying to entry-level study coordinator roles. Many candidates move laterally from adjacent roles like medical assistant, clinical data coordinator, or research lab technician, which share documentation and protocol skills. Completing a Good Clinical Practice certification before applying gives candidates a measurable edge, and programs through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals offer entry-level coursework recognized by California biotech and hospital employers.

Where can I find and apply to clinical research assistant jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical research assistant jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across California hiring markets. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and target location, and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 232+ Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in California

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