Clinical Research Associate Internships
Clinical research associate internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience conducting trials and managing study data, mentorship from working clinical research associates, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in Education and Healthcare & Medical Services, with Profound Research, Corewell Health, and The Cigna among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 9+ Clinical Research Associate Internships
When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.
Job Summary: A Research Student will be trained through a mentor in the principles, conduct and interpretation of research in conjunction with a related or unrelated educational program.<br><br>
Job Description:
Learns and conducts routine tests following established procedures, which may include assays, DNA sequencing, tissue culture, protein purification, Southern blotting, PCR analysis, electrophoresis, and/or chromatography. Learns and uses standard research equipment such as microscopes, incubators, autoclaves, centrifuges. Collects basic study data through monitoring devices and maintains daily logs/basic records of methodologies and test results. With supervision, using databases, may summarize data and interpret results using descriptive statistics and basic hypothesis testing. Attends Medical Center lectures regarding all safety requirements/conditions. Attends courses, lectures, and conferences to further own knowledge of research. May perform literature searches and library investigations as they relate to the research.
Pay Range:
$15.00 – $24.04
The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.
As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.
More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
- Employment: Per Diem
- Shift: Day
- Category: Academic Research
- Pay Range: $15.00 - $24.04
- FLSA: Non-Exempt
- Req ID: JR106240
When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.
Job Summary: A Research Student will be trained through a mentor in the principles, conduct and interpretation of research in conjunction with a related or unrelated educational program.<br><br>
Job Description:
Learns and conducts routine tests following established procedures, which may include assays, DNA sequencing, tissue culture, protein purification, Southern blotting, PCR analysis, electrophoresis, and/or chromatography. Learns and uses standard research equipment such as microscopes, incubators, autoclaves, centrifuges. Collects basic study data through monitoring devices and maintains daily logs/basic records of methodologies and test results. With supervision, using databases, may summarize data and interpret results using descriptive statistics and basic hypothesis testing. Attends Medical Center lectures regarding all safety requirements/conditions. Attends courses, lectures, and conferences to further own knowledge of research. May perform literature searches and library investigations as they relate to the research.
Pay Range:
$15.00 – $24.04
The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.
As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.
More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
- Employment: Per Diem
- Shift: Day
- Category: Academic Research
- Pay Range: $15.00 - $24.04
- FLSA: Non-Exempt
- Req ID: JR106240
Clinical Research Associate Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Tips for Your Clinical Research Associate Internship Search
Apply months before the internship starts
Large pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations open their summer clinical research associate internship recruiting the preceding fall, often in September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so internship openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly rather than waiting for a single seasonal push.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for clinical research associate internships expect limited work history, so your strongest evidence is documented project work. Put together two or three case studies showing protocol review, data handling, or GCP compliance exercises, with the tools you used clearly noted. A linked write-up or certificate gives recruiters something concrete to assess.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured CRA internship programs tied to your university, and professors with industry connections often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, since combining campus activity with direct outreach reaches a wider range of programs than either approach alone.
Practice your interview format out loud before applying
Clinical research associate intern screens typically include scenario-based questions on adverse event handling, protocol deviations, and site monitoring judgment calls. Practice your answers out loud, walking through your reasoning step by step, because interviewers weigh how you think through a clinical situation as much as the final answer you give.
Target structured CRA development programs early
Large contract research organizations and pharmaceutical companies run structured clinical research associate development programs designed for candidates entering the field, covering site monitoring, data review, and regulatory submissions in rotation. These programs recruit early in the academic year and fill fast, so identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave of their cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 25% of the clinical research associate internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you search, then filter by location and work type so you're reviewing only roles you can actually accept. Applying selectively to the right positions is faster and more effective than sorting through postings after the fact.
Clinical Research Associate Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a clinical research associate internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented case study or regulatory research sample showing your familiarity with GCP guidelines or clinical data handling. Pair direct applications to company career pages with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a clinical research associate internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for clinical research associate interns is consistent performance on real study tasks, team headcount at the end of the internship period, and expressing clear interest before the return-offer decision window closes. Position yourself for one by delivering quality work, but keep applying to full-time roles in parallel rather than counting on it.
When should I apply for clinical research associate internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large pharmaceutical and CRO employers recruit summer clinical research associate interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role appears gives you the best shot at competitive cohorts.
Are clinical research associate internships paid?
Most professional clinical research associate internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Stipend-only or unpaid arrangements do exist, particularly at smaller research sites or nonprofits, so read each listing carefully before applying.
What should a clinical research associate internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the protocols you followed, the data management tools you used, and where the work can be reviewed, such as a linked regulatory research write-up, a GCP training certificate, or a case study. Add relevant coursework in clinical research or life sciences and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote clinical research associate internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 75% of the clinical research associate internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote clinical research associate intern cohorts tend to fill fast because they attract candidates from multiple locations, so apply early and filter by work type to see those openings before they close.
What is a clinical research associate development program?
Some large contract research organizations and pharmaceutical companies run structured CRA development programs that target candidates new to the field, rotating them through site monitoring, data review, and regulatory submissions over several months. These programs recruit early in the academic year and are competitive, so identify the ones that align with your background and apply in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Can international students get clinical research associate internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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