Clinical Research Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL
Clinical Research Associate jobs in Chicago are concentrated in the Illinois Medical District, the Near North Side, and the Loop, across biopharma, academic medical centers, and contract research organizations. Employers hiring right now include Rush University Medical Center, The University of Chicago, and INSIGHT. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Qualifications:
The Institute for Population and Precision Health (IPPH), located in the Biological Sciences Division, integrates a wide spectrum of factors such as human health behaviors, environmental factors, social and economic factors, policies and genetic determinants of health, into studies focused on the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the maintenance of wellness. Leveraging and integrating the client's considerable institutional strength in population science with research spanning diverse fields such as genetic medicine, cancer epidemiology, microbiome, and epigenomics, the Institute will have the common goal of improving human health outcomes. Another major goal of the Institute will be to develop a new multidisciplinary training program to equip researchers with emerging tools and methods to conduct precision health research within a population health framework. Our faculty lead research projects in biostatistics, epidemiology and health services research and participate in interdisciplinary teams with faculty in other departments to address complex problems in health and healthcare, in our communities and around the globe.
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI), Co-Investigators, and Research Manager (RM), the Clinical Research Nurse facilitates the daily activities of complex clinical trials and plays a critical role in the conduct of the studies to ensure compliance with federal and institutional regulations. The Clinical Research Nurse provided clinical expertise within the department/unit through improving clinical research practice and serving as a resource to others. Additionally, the Clinical Research Nurse works with the PI, department, sponsor, and institution to support and provide guidance on the administration of the compliance, financial, personnel, and other related aspects of the clinical studies.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing required
Experience
Phlebotomy and intravenous line placement experience preferred.
Clinical research experience preferred.
Experience with Epic or other electronic medical records preferred
Licenses and Certifications
Current valid Registered Nurse - Illinois license required.
Technical Knowledge or Skills
Demonstrated ability to access computer programs and use or learn basic computer operations.
Responsibilities:
Unit Specific Responsibilities
Coordinate and participate in the conduct of clinical research trials at the Institute for Population and Precision Health (IPPH).
Assist with or plan and implement the clinical study's goals and objectives; organize patient enrollment planning; conduct quality assurance activities, compile and analyze data.
Develop and implement study procedures, maintains study records, tracks study progress, and conducts quality assurance on study data collected.
Act as a liaison with medical staff, client departments, ancillary departments and/or satellite facilities.
Conduct clinical study tasks including physical assessment of subjects, taking vital signs, recording medical, surgical, social and behavioral histories, and phlebotomy skills.
Serve as a resource person or act as a consultant within area of clinical expertise.
Act as a leader within the department/unit through improving clinical research practice and serving as a resource.
Maintain working knowledge of current protocols, and internal SOPs.
Be accountable for high standards of clinical research practice and assist in the development of accountability in others.
Oversee and participate in the coordination and conduct of complex clinical research studies and ensure compliance with study standard operating protocols and procedures as well as federal and institutional regulations.
Provide Investigators with guidance regarding protocol requirements.
Maintain regulatory documentation.
Assist other research personnel with reports to regulatory agencies, such as the IRB, FDA and Data and Safety Review Committee.
Prepare for and assist with audits, inspections, and monitoring visits from regulatory agencies or sponsors.
Applies logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Performs other related work as needed.
Unit Specific Competencies (Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and abilities that employees exhibit while performing daily activities and delivering unit and divisional goals)
Fundamental working knowledge of clinical research.
Knowledge of patient care fundamentals, including aseptic principles and techniques.
Ability to provide direct patient care in a professional and respectful manner.
Ability to read medical documents and instruments.
Ability to participate in protocol review and clinical trials evaluations.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Strong data management skills and attention to detail.
Excellent time management and ability to prioritize work assignments.
Ability to read, understand, and implement clinical trials protocols.
Working knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP).
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat.
Unit Working Conditions (Add details and indicate if it is required or preferred. Note: working conditions and physical requirements are no longer required for office roles. e.g., lab environment required)
Office and clinic
Occasional weekend/evening hours for enrollment events at community partner locations.
Travel may be required for enrollment events at community partner locations.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (preferred)
Notes:
Important: Must verify License prior to submittal - Current valid Registered Nurse - Illinois license required.
100% ONSITE
Part Time:
3-4 days per week
24-32 hours per week
Hours can be discussed during interview, typical hours 8am-2pm or 8am-4pm (3-4 days per week)
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status
See All 68 Clinical Research Associate Jobs in Chicago
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Find JobsClinical Research Associate Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
- Rush University Medical Center25

- The University of Chicago12

- INSIGHT6

- The IMA4

- Northwestern Medicine4

Top Industries Hiring
- Education12
- Healthcare & Medical Services12
- Transportation & Logistics2
Clinical Research Associate Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a clinical research associate job in Chicago?
The strongest path into Chicago's clinical research associate market is through its dense concentration of contract research organizations and academic medical centers on the Near North Side and in the Illinois Medical District. Candidates who come in with GCP certification, hands-on trial coordination experience, and familiarity with electronic data capture systems stand out. Targeting mid-size CROs or hospital-affiliated research programs is a reliable entry point in this market.
Which companies hire clinical research associates in Chicago?
Employers hiring clinical research associates in Chicago right now include Rush University Medical Center, The University of Chicago, and INSIGHT, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Chicago's hiring mix skews toward large CROs with regional offices downtown, academic health systems on the Near North Side, and biopharma firms with Midwest operations.
Are there remote clinical research associate jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though remote availability depends heavily on the role. Site-facing and monitoring positions require on-site presence, while data review, regulatory coordination, and sponsor-side oversight roles are more remote-friendly. About 13% of clinical research associate openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with the most flexibility concentrated in CRO and sponsor-side analytical roles rather than site-based monitoring.
How can I get a clinical research associate job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point in Chicago is a clinical research coordinator role at one of the major academic medical centers in the Illinois Medical District or on the Near North Side, where coordinator-to-CRA progression is common. Community hospitals and smaller site management organizations in the broader metro area also hire coordinators who move into associate monitoring roles within one to two years. A GCP certification and any hands-on protocol or IRB experience will separate you from other applicants in this market.
Which industries hire the most clinical research associates in Chicago?
Chicago clinical research associate roles concentrate in Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Transportation & Logistics, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Chicago's position as a major academic medicine hub and a regional headquarters city for global CROs and specialty pharma companies drives consistent demand across those sectors.
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