Clinical Research Associate Jobs in North Carolina
Clinical Research Associate jobs in North Carolina are among the most active in the Southeast, concentrated in pharmaceutical research, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers, with openings at every level from entry-level coordinators through senior-level monitors. The heaviest hiring is in the Research Triangle Park area, Charlotte, and Wilmington, where employers like Syneos Health, PPD (part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), and Duke Health maintain large clinical operations teams. Site monitoring, oncology trials, and sponsor oversight are the most consistently sought specialties across North Carolina listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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NC Retina Associates is looking for a Research Assistant to join our team! The research assistant is primarily responsible for assisting in research patient visits according to International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines and according to the Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study protocol and/or manual of procedures.
Duties:
- Coordinate and schedule subject visits within study/subject specific windows per protocol guidelines.
- Prepare visit-specific documentation and charts for Clinical Research Coordinator.
- Observe Coordinator in patient care and management.
- Assist Coordinator in monitoring subject flow and assist in subject care and management.
- Observe, assist, collect and record all necessary data for follow up (e.g. adverse events, concomitant medications, etc.) study visits (Phase 2 & 3; NO Gene Therapy).
- Transcribe subject study information from source documents to the Electronic Case Report Forms.
- Administer all mandatory questionnaires to study subjects.
- Set up, prepare subject, and conduct electrocardiograms (ECG) on subjects as required per study protocol.
- Promptly request all necessary medical records for Serious Adverse Event Reporting.
- Process and ship laboratory biological samples for analysis.
- Perform intraocular pressure checks after injections.
- Perform trial frame refraction and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity testing (For Investigator Sponsored Trials (IST)s only, at selected sites).
- Inform subjects and obtain written re-consents in regard to Informed Consent Form (ICF)’s (selected studies)
- Observe and assist scribe in ocular exams for doctors and confirm appropriate treatment per protocol.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Obtain any applicable additional/required sponsor training and/or certifications.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School diploma or the equivalent, with significant relevant experience.
- College degree preferred.
- Ophthalmic experience preferred.
- Effective oral and written communication.
- Delivers safe and appropriate care to patients in addition to the requirements outlined by study protocols.
Pay: $23.00 - $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 35.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have any Ophthalmology or Retina specific study experience?
- Do you currently reside in North Carolina?
Experience:
- Clinical research: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
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Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Associate Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research associate jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a health-related field required
- ACRP or SOCRA certification (CCRA or CCRP) strongly preferred by North Carolina employers
- Minimum one to two years of clinical trial monitoring or coordination experience
- Working knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and FDA regulatory requirements
- Ability to conduct on-site monitoring visits at North Carolina investigator sites
- Proficiency with electronic data capture systems such as Medidata Rave or Veeva Vault
Clinical Research Associate Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research associate in North Carolina?
Most clinical research associates in North Carolina enter the field with a bachelor's degree in a life sciences or health-related discipline, then gain experience as a clinical trial coordinator or study coordinator at a hospital or academic medical center before moving into a monitoring role. North Carolina does not require a state-issued license to work as a clinical research associate, but earning the ACRP Certified Clinical Research Associate credential or the SOCRA Certified Clinical Research Professional designation is the most common way to qualify for monitoring positions at the state's major contract research organizations and pharmaceutical sponsors.
Which companies hire clinical research associates in North Carolina?
Employers hiring clinical research associates in North Carolina right now include Thermo Fisher Scientific, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and IQVIA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's concentration of contract research organizations headquartered in the Research Triangle Park area means a significant share of openings come from CROs managing multi-site trials for global pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors.
Which North Carolina cities have the most clinical research associate jobs?
Durham, Raleigh, and North Carolina consistently have the most clinical research associate openings in North Carolina. The Research Triangle Park corridor drives the largest share of postings, anchored by the global CRO and pharmaceutical headquarters clustered there, while Charlotte's growing hospital systems and Wilmington's proximity to Cape Fear Valley Health and contract research operations account for a meaningful portion of the remaining listings.
Are there remote clinical research associate jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than many clinical roles, because a significant portion of CRA work involves remote source document review, sponsor communication, and report writing between site visits. About 46% of clinical research associate openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how North Carolina's large CRO sector structures its monitoring workflows. The portions of the role requiring in-person presence, primarily on-site monitoring visits at investigator sites, remain on location.
How can I get hired as a clinical research associate in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a clinical trial coordinator or research coordinator at a North Carolina academic medical center or hospital system, such as Duke Health, UNC Health, or WakeMed, where new-graduate and entry-level research coordinator roles regularly open and do not require prior monitoring experience. From that foundation, candidates move toward CRA roles by completing the ACRP Clinical Research Associate certification and applying for junior or CRA I positions at Research Triangle Park-based CROs like Syneos Health or PPD, which run structured associate-level monitoring programs designed for professionals transitioning from coordination work.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research associate jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to clinical research associate jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and therapeutic focus, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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