Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Clinical Research Assistant jobs in San Francisco are in strong demand, concentrated in Mission Bay, the Parnassus Heights medical corridor, and the South of Market life sciences cluster, across academic medical centers, biotech firms, and contract research organizations. Employers hiring right now include University of California - San Francisco, Merck, and Medpace. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Clinical Director (Principal Scientist) has primary responsibility for the strategic planning and directing clinical research activities involving investigational compounds in Immunology. With a focus on late-stage development, the Clinical Director will manage the entire cycle of clinical development, including determination of appropriate disease indications to pursue and subsequent study design, initiation, execution, monitoring, analysis, regulatory filing, and publication.
Specifically, The Clinical Director May Be Responsible For:
- Evaluating pre-clinical and translational work for the purpose of generating the early clinical development plan and Investigational New Drug applications.
- Providing clinical development support of business development assessments of external opportunities to grow the Immunology Pipeline
- Developing clinical development strategies for investigational drugs and planning clinical trials (design, operational plans, settings) based on these clinical development strategies
- Monitoring and managing the conduct of ongoing or new clinical trials for investigational drugs
- Analyzing and summarizing the clinical findings from studies to support decisions regarding safety and efficacy as well as new drug applications, clinical study reports, or publication; and
- Participation in internal and joint internal/external research project teams relevant to the development of new compounds
Supervise the activities of Clinical Scientists in the execution of clinical studies. Work closely with a cross-functional group of experts in commercialization, regulatory affairs, statistics, and manufacturing to manage clinical development projects; and assist the Senior Director, Associate Vice-President/Vice-President and Product Development Team Lead in ensuring that appropriate corporate personnel is informed of the progress of studies of our company and competitors' drugs and internal and external expert opinion on scientific questions relevant to his/her areas of responsibility.
The Clinical Director is responsible for maintaining a strong scientific fund of knowledge by:
- Maintaining awareness of scientific developments within his/her area of expertise, in terms of new scientific findings, research methodologies
- Identification of scientifically and operationally strong investigators who can assist in the development of our company's investigational drugs in Immunology
- Establishing collaborative relationships with external experts in Rheumatology diseases, particularly those whose research focus and expertise can inform and assist the evaluation of the company's investigational drugs
- Attending appropriate scientific meetings to maintain his or her competency and to maintain awareness of research activities in his/her area of responsibility.
- Author detailed development documents, presentations, budgets, and position papers for internal and external audiences
- Facilitate collaborations with external researchers around the world
- Travel on company business about twenty (20) percent of the time to manage future or ongoing clinical research projects.
Education
- M.D., D.O., M.D./Ph.D, or D.O./Ph.D.
- Minimum of 5 years of clinical and/or development experience (academia, clinical medicine, and/or corporate clinical development).
- Demonstrated record of scientific scholarship and achievement
- Prior experience in design and execution of phase 2 or 3 clinical trials in rheumatologic diseases is preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment
Clinical Development, Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Planning, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Immunology, Rheumatology
Preferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.
Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts
The salary range for this role is
$255,800.00 - $402,700.00
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Regular
Relocation:
Domestic
VISA Sponsorship:
No
Travel Requirements:
25%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
n/a
Job Posting End Date:
10/8/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Requisition ID: R417080
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Find JobsClinical Research Assistant Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- University of California - San Francisco119

- Merck18

- Medpace18

- IQVIA9

- Nudge9

Top Industries Hiring
- Education46
- Healthcare & Medical Services27
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals9
Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a clinical research assistant job in San Francisco?
The strongest path is targeting San Francisco's dense concentration of academic medical centers, UCSF-affiliated research programs, and Mission Bay biotech employers. Hands-on experience with clinical trial protocols, GCP certification, and familiarity with electronic data capture systems give candidates a clear edge here. Many local openings come through contract research organizations clustered in the South of Market and Mission Bay districts, so applying directly to those employer types is practical and effective.
Which companies hire clinical research assistants in San Francisco?
Companies currently hiring clinical research assistants in San Francisco include University of California - San Francisco, Merck, and Medpace, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Francisco's hiring mix skews heavily toward academic medical institutions, early-stage biotech companies, and contract research organizations with strong ties to the UCSF and Mission Bay research ecosystems.
Are there remote clinical research assistant jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though only partially, since most clinical research assistant roles require on-site patient contact, specimen handling, or protocol coordination. About 50% of clinical research assistant openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, covering tasks like data entry, regulatory document management, and sponsor communication. Site-facing duties such as participant screening and visit coordination remain on-site.
How can I get a clinical research assistant job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Francisco is applying for research coordinator assistant or clinical trials administrator roles at UCSF Health, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, or Mission Bay-based biotech startups that regularly onboard candidates without prior trial experience. Volunteering on IRB-approved studies, completing a GCP certification, and pursuing part-time roles at local CROs can open doors faster than waiting for a full coordinator posting.
Which industries hire the most clinical research assistants in San Francisco?
The sectors hiring the most clinical research assistants in San Francisco are Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Francisco's position as a global biotech hub, anchored by Mission Bay research campuses and a dense network of academic medical centers, drives sustained local demand well above the national baseline.
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