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.

Find Jobs

Overview

Open roles58
Top employerThermo Fisher Scientific
Top cityDurham, NC
Cities hiring15
Work type54% On-site
Top industryScience

Showing 5 of 58+ Clinical Research Associate jobs

N
Clinical Research Assistant
We won't show you this job again
N
New 11h ago
Clinical Research Assistant
NC Retina Associates
Wake Forest, North Carolina
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
$23 - $28/hr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

Have you applied for this role?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Clinical Research Data Coordinator
We won't show you this job again
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Added 1d ago
Clinical Research Data Coordinator
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$40k - $50k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Advocate Aurora Health
Clinical Research Nurse Pediatric Specialty Team
We won't show you this job again
Advocate Aurora Health
Added 2d ago
Clinical Research Nurse Pediatric Specialty Team
Advocate Aurora Health
Charlotte, North Carolina
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$38.2 - $57.3/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Advocate Aurora Health
Clinical Research Nurse - AH Levine Children's Vaccine Trials - FT Day
We won't show you this job again
Advocate Aurora Health
Added 2d ago
Clinical Research Nurse - AH Levine Children's Vaccine Trials - FT Day
Advocate Aurora Health
Charlotte, North Carolina
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$38.2 - $57.3/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Advocate Aurora Health
Registered Nurse Program Coordinator - Pediatric Clinical Research
We won't show you this job again
Advocate Aurora Health
Added 2d ago
Registered Nurse Program Coordinator - Pediatric Clinical Research
Advocate Aurora Health
Charlotte, North Carolina
Administrative & Office Support
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$38.2 - $57.3/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 58 Clinical Research Associate Jobs in North Carolina

Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs

Clinical Research Associate Jobs by City in North Carolina

Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Durham
11 jobs
Raleigh
7 jobs
Charlotte
6 jobs
Chapel Hill
5 jobs
Wilmington
4 jobs
Greenville
3 jobs
Morrisville
3 jobs
Cary
2 jobs
Fort Bragg
2 jobs

Clinical Research Associate Job Market in North Carolina

A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific4 open roles
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill4 open roles
IQVIA
IQVIA3 open roles

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.

See All 58 Clinical Research Associate Jobs in North Carolina

Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs