Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois
Clinical Research Coordinator jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in academic medical centers, pharmaceutical research organizations, and hospital-based oncology and cardiology programs, with openings at every level from entry-level research assistant to senior coordinator. Chicago, Evanston, and Maywood anchor most of the hiring, where institutions like Northwestern Medicine, the University of Chicago Medicine, and Loyola University Medical Center maintain large, active clinical trials programs. The most sought-after specialties are oncology trials, cardiovascular research, and Phase I through Phase III pharmaceutical studies. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 30+ Clinical Research Coordinator jobs
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator is a registered professional nurse who demonstrates exemplary clinical research knowledge, has strong communication skills and is responsible for serving as a liaison between Northwestern University (NU) clinical research investigator teams (e.g., investigator initiated trials, sponsor trials) and Northwestern Medicine; a joint collaboration between NMG and the NU Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (CRNC) works collaboratively with the inter-professional team and peers to ensure appropriate implementation and conduct of clinical research studies throughout the lifecycle of a protocol. The CRNC adheres to the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice of Professional Nursing and the Code of Ethics. The CRNC utilizes the NIH Clinical Research Nurse Domain of Practice and Model of Care. The CRNC reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Collaborate with a wide range of professionals to disseminate patient care outcomes through publications and presentations, managing all stages of research projects—from feasibility, project conception and approval, data collection, literature review to manuscript submission. Participates in monthly meetings with surgeons and NU research team staff to track progress of projects. Clinical expertise in cardiac surgery (valve and atrial fibrillation procedures) is preferred.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Responsibilities:
- Leads the coordination and support to Principal Investigator(s).
- Reviews research studies in pre-submission phase for feasibility of protocol implementation.
- Guides the review, revision, and maintenance of protocols. Assures established protocols meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Provides guidance to clinical research nurses on projects related to new research study submissions, utilization reviews, wording/phrasing of medical orders, protocols and workflows.
- Develops and maintains clinical nursing research policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines.
- Supports the development of projects created in response to research-related problems and events as identified and reported by staff and research study team members (e.g., events, deviations, corrective and preventative actions).
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to orient and train new staff to clinical research.
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to identify training needed for clinical research nurses about unfamiliar practices, procedures and medications to ensure patient/subject safety and compliance with protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Escalates research-related concerns to the appropriate leader or committee.
- Serves as a mentor and role model for communication and collaboration with investigator teams and clinical and technical research practices.
- Supports the clinical research nursing staff during adverse events, emergencies, and difficult clinical situations.
- Provides clinical nursing support to both inpatient and/or outpatient teams as needed as a cross trained resource.
#AMCIND
#LI-MP
Qualifications
Required:
- Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
- Experience in clinical trials
- BSN
- Minimum of two years related clinical experience.
- CPR-BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA)
Preferred:
- MSN
- Membership in Professional Nursing Organization
- ACLS Certification in clinical areas where required
- Society of Clinical Research Associates' (SOCRA) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certification
- Certification in area of clinical specialty.
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.
Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits
Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.
If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator is a registered professional nurse who demonstrates exemplary clinical research knowledge, has strong communication skills and is responsible for serving as a liaison between Northwestern University (NU) clinical research investigator teams (e.g., investigator initiated trials, sponsor trials) and Northwestern Medicine; a joint collaboration between NMG and the NU Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (CRNC) works collaboratively with the inter-professional team and peers to ensure appropriate implementation and conduct of clinical research studies throughout the lifecycle of a protocol. The CRNC adheres to the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice of Professional Nursing and the Code of Ethics. The CRNC utilizes the NIH Clinical Research Nurse Domain of Practice and Model of Care. The CRNC reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Collaborate with a wide range of professionals to disseminate patient care outcomes through publications and presentations, managing all stages of research projects—from feasibility, project conception and approval, data collection, literature review to manuscript submission. Participates in monthly meetings with surgeons and NU research team staff to track progress of projects. Clinical expertise in cardiac surgery (valve and atrial fibrillation procedures) is preferred.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Responsibilities:
- Leads the coordination and support to Principal Investigator(s).
- Reviews research studies in pre-submission phase for feasibility of protocol implementation.
- Guides the review, revision, and maintenance of protocols. Assures established protocols meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Provides guidance to clinical research nurses on projects related to new research study submissions, utilization reviews, wording/phrasing of medical orders, protocols and workflows.
- Develops and maintains clinical nursing research policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines.
- Supports the development of projects created in response to research-related problems and events as identified and reported by staff and research study team members (e.g., events, deviations, corrective and preventative actions).
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to orient and train new staff to clinical research.
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to identify training needed for clinical research nurses about unfamiliar practices, procedures and medications to ensure patient/subject safety and compliance with protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Escalates research-related concerns to the appropriate leader or committee.
- Serves as a mentor and role model for communication and collaboration with investigator teams and clinical and technical research practices.
- Supports the clinical research nursing staff during adverse events, emergencies, and difficult clinical situations.
- Provides clinical nursing support to both inpatient and/or outpatient teams as needed as a cross trained resource.
#AMCIND
#LI-MP
Qualifications
Required:
- Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
- Experience in clinical trials
- BSN
- Minimum of two years related clinical experience.
- CPR-BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA)
Preferred:
- MSN
- Membership in Professional Nursing Organization
- ACLS Certification in clinical areas where required
- Society of Clinical Research Associates' (SOCRA) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certification
- Certification in area of clinical specialty.
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.
Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits
Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.
If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.
See All 30 Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsClinical Research Coordinator Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Coordinator Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Transportation & Logistics
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research coordinator jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related health field required
- ACRP or SOCRA certification (CCRC or CCRP) strongly preferred by Illinois employers
- Minimum one to two years of clinical research or patient-facing healthcare experience
- Familiarity with FDA regulations, ICH-GCP guidelines, and IRB submission processes
- Experience using electronic data capture systems such as REDCap or Medidata Rave
- Strong written communication skills for protocol documentation and regulatory correspondence
Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research coordinator in Illinois?
The most direct path is earning a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or public health field, then pursuing professional certification through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA). Illinois does not issue a state license specific to clinical research coordinators, so the CCRC or CCRP credential serves as the recognized standard for Illinois employers. Many Chicago-area academic medical centers also accept candidates who transition from clinical nursing or lab roles.
How much do clinical research coordinators make in Illinois?
Clinical research coordinators in Illinois earn a median of about $159,670 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $85,210 for the lowest 10% to over $281,660 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire clinical research coordinators in Illinois?
Employers hiring clinical research coordinators in Illinois right now include Rush University Medical Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and INSIGHT, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of academic medical centers and contract research organizations in the Chicago metro makes it one of the more consistent markets in the Midwest for this role.
Which Illinois cities have the most clinical research coordinator jobs?
Chicago, Streeterville, and Morton have the most clinical research coordinator openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its dense cluster of academic hospitals, cancer research centers, and pharmaceutical company offices, while Evanston and Maywood draw demand from Northwestern Medicine and Loyola University Medical Center, both of which run extensive multi-site clinical trials programs.
Are there remote clinical research coordinator jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're limited, since most coordinator work involves direct patient contact, on-site protocol execution, and in-person regulatory oversight at trial facilities. About 20% of clinical research coordinator openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to cover data entry, regulatory document management, or sponsor-facing coordination that does not require physical presence at a clinic.
How can I get hired as a clinical research coordinator in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a clinical research associate or research assistant role at one of Chicago's large academic medical centers, which regularly hire candidates without prior trials experience and provide on-the-job GCP training. Northwestern Medicine and University of Chicago Medicine both run structured research career development tracks suited to new graduates. Moving laterally from a phlebotomist, medical assistant, or clinical lab technician role is another common route, and completing the ACRP or SOCRA certification exam early gives candidates a concrete edge over other applicants with similar backgrounds.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research coordinator jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to clinical research coordinator jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, the suburbs, and downstate locations. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to each one.
See All 30 Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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