Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in Illinois
Clinical Research Assistant jobs in Illinois concentrate heavily in academic medical centers, pharmaceutical research, and clinical trials administration, with consistent demand at both entry and mid-career levels across the state. Chicago, Evanston, and Maywood anchor the market, where institutions like Northwestern Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, and the University of Chicago Medicine maintain deep research pipelines. The most in-demand sub-areas are oncology trials, cardiovascular studies, and regulatory data coordination. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Location
Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center
Job Description
Assists investigators and study team in the implementation, coordination, and conduct of clinical research activities. Adheres to the service values and principles as well as the principles of research ethics. Under direct supervision, the balance between patient-facing and administrative data tasks varies according to the specific requirements of each research program.
Essential Job Functions:
- Assists with study start-up and the preparation and maintenance of all regulatory documents required by sponsors and regulatory agencies (i.e. regulatory binders, source documents, correspondence, etc).
- Assists with the preparation of protocols, informed consents, modifications, renewals and other necessary study documents for IRB and/or sponsor review.
- Assists clinical research personnel in the implementation of clinical research projects, assists in the identification and recruitment of eligible study subjects.
- Maintains inventory of study supplies and equipment.
- Prepares lab kits and requisitions prior to visits. Collects specimens from subjects and processes specimens as instructed.
- Helps arrange study visits and provide instructions to study participants and families.
- Coordinates reimbursement for study subjects.
- Helps triage patient questions.
- Assists with adverse event monitoring and reporting.
- Assists in creating and maintaining case report forms or source document templates.
- Abstracts data from medical records and enters information into study-specific forms and electronic data capture platforms.
- Facilitates study initiation, monitoring and close-out visits.
- May attend investigator meetings.
- Supports research activities by conducting literature searches, assisting with QA/AC procedures, entering, coding, creating, updating data spreadsheets, retrieving, preparing, and managing data through importing and exporting in various formats.
- Other job functions as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree required. A combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience is directly related to the duties of the job.
- Good organizational skills.
- Good verbal and written communications skills.
- Some knowledge of FDA, HSR, and GCP Guidelines.
- Proficient analytical skills with the ability to remain agile and adaptable to various technological systems.
High School Diploma/GED: Biomedical Science (Required)
Pay Range
$22.25-$36.38 Hourly
At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.
Benefit Statement
For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:
Medical, dental and vision insurance
Employer paid group term life and disability
Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
403(b) with a 5% employer match
Various voluntary benefits:
- Supplemental Life, AD and Disability
- Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
- Tuition assistance
- Student loan servicing and support
- Adoption benefits
- Backup Childcare and Eldercare
- Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
- Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
- Discount purchasing program
At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.
Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org
AI Notice
Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.
It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.
For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org
See All 81 Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsClinical Research Assistant Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Assistant Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Rush University Medical Center14

- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago8

- The IMA5

- University of Chicago5

- The University of Chicago5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services19
- Education14
- Science & Research2
- Consulting & Professional Services2
- Manufacturing1
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research assistant jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, public health, or a related field required
- Experience with clinical trial protocols and GCP guidelines strongly preferred
- Proficiency in electronic data capture systems such as REDCap or Medidata Rave
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in maintaining regulatory binders and documentation
- Ability to coordinate directly with study participants, investigators, and IRB submissions
- Certification as a Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC or CCRP) is a competitive advantage
Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research assistant in Illinois?
A bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, public health, or related field is the standard entry point for clinical research assistant roles in Illinois. There is no state-issued license specific to this role in Illinois, but most employers expect familiarity with Good Clinical Practice standards and federal regulations governing human subjects research. Earning a credential through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) or the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) strengthens your candidacy significantly at Illinois research institutions.
Which companies hire clinical research assistants in Illinois?
Illinois clinical research assistant roles are posted by Rush University Medical Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and The IMA and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of academic health systems and pharmaceutical firms headquartered in the Chicago metro makes it one of the more active states for clinical research hiring year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most clinical research assistant jobs?
Chicago, Streeterville, and Peoria post the most clinical research assistant openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its cluster of large academic medical centers and pharmaceutical companies, while Evanston and Maywood draw consistent hiring from Northwestern Medicine and Loyola University Medical Center, whose research programs generate steady demand for trial support staff.
Are there remote clinical research assistant jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're limited. About 33% of clinical research assistant openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that much of the role involves direct participant contact, specimen handling, and on-site regulatory coordination. The tasks most commonly performed remotely include data entry, regulatory document preparation, and IRB correspondence for studies that have moved into later monitoring phases.
How can I get hired as a clinical research assistant in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to research coordinator internships or volunteer research positions at Illinois academic medical centers, particularly at Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, or University of Illinois Hospital. Many Chicago-area institutions post research assistant roles specifically designed for recent graduates with a science degree but no trial experience. Moving laterally from a medical records technician, clinical data entry, or patient services role is another common route. Completing an ACRP or SoCRA fundamentals course before applying gives you a measurable credential edge.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research assistant jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to clinical research assistant jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 81 Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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