Clinical Research Director Jobs in District of Columbia

Clinical Research Director jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in Washington, D.C., where federal agencies, major academic medical centers, and global health organizations create one of the most active markets in the country for senior clinical research leadership. Employers with a lasting presence here include NIH, Children's National Hospital, and MedStar Health, with the strongest demand in oncology, infectious disease, and regulatory affairs. The role typically requires deep experience overseeing multi-site trials, FDA regulatory strategy, and cross-functional team leadership. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles129+
Top employerChildren's National Hospital
Top cityWashington, DC
Cities hiring2
Work type52% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 129+ Clinical Research Director jobs

HII
STINGRAI Tech Advisor (Operations Research Analyst 4)
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HII
New 1m ago
STINGRAI Tech Advisor (Operations Research Analyst 4)
HII
Washington, District of Columbia
Business Analysis
Business Analyst
Project Management
Master's degree
10,000+

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Georgetown University
Temporary Research Assistant
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Georgetown University
New 1m ago
Temporary Research Assistant
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
5,001-10,000

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Johns Hopkins University
Research Assistant (Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies)
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Johns Hopkins University
New 1m ago
Research Assistant (Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies)
Johns Hopkins University
Washington, District of Columbia
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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EAB
Director, Research Advisory Services
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EAB
New 1m ago
Director, Research Advisory Services
EAB
Washington, District of Columbia
Business Analysis
Data Analytics
Data Science
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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EAB
Senior Director, Terrain Lead, Research Advisory Services
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EAB
New 1m ago
Senior Director, Terrain Lead, Research Advisory Services
EAB
Washington, District of Columbia
Business Analysis
Data Analytics
Data Science
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

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Clinical Research Director Jobs by City in District of Columbia

Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Foggy Bottom
1 job

Clinical Research Director Job Market in District of Columbia

A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Children's National Hospital
    Children's National Hospital23
  • Georgetown University
    Georgetown University9
  • Howard University
    Howard University7
  • Johns Hopkins University
    Johns Hopkins University7
  • Council On Foreign Relations
    Council On Foreign Relations5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services26
  • Education19
  • Science & Research3
  • Technology & Software3
  • Government & Public Sector3

What District of Columbia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research director jobs across District of Columbia.

  • Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, or a related clinical field required
  • Minimum eight to ten years of clinical research experience including senior leadership roles
  • Demonstrated experience managing Phase I through Phase III or IV clinical trials
  • Strong working knowledge of FDA regulations, GCP guidelines, and ICH standards
  • Experience overseeing IRB submissions and regulatory affairs for multi-site studies
  • Proficiency with clinical trial management systems and data integrity protocols

Clinical Research Director Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research director in District of Columbia?

Clinical research directors in District of Columbia typically hold an advanced degree, such as an MD, PhD, or master's in a clinical or life sciences field, and build toward the role through progressive research management experience. There is no District of Columbia-issued state license specific to this director-level position, but many employers in Washington, D.C. expect candidates to hold or pursue a Certified Clinical Research Professional credential through the Society of Clinical Research Associates as a professional standard.

Which companies hire clinical research directors in District of Columbia?

Companies currently hiring clinical research directors in District of Columbia include Children's National Hospital, Georgetown University, and Howard University, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The Washington, D.C. market is particularly active among federal health agencies, government contractors, and academic medical centers with ties to the NIH campus and Capitol Hill policy environment.

Which District of Columbia cities have the most clinical research director jobs?

Washington and Foggy Bottom account for the most clinical research director openings in District of Columbia. Washington, D.C. itself dominates because it is home to federal agencies including NIH and FDA-adjacent institutions, major academic medical centers like MedStar Georgetown and Children's National, and a dense cluster of global health nonprofits and government contractors that collectively drive consistent demand for senior research leadership.

Are there remote clinical research director jobs in District of Columbia?

Yes, and more than many clinical roles, since a significant portion of the director's work involves strategy, regulatory oversight, vendor management, and cross-team coordination that can be done off-site. About 48% of clinical research director openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the oversight-heavy nature of the role. Responsibilities tied to on-site trial monitoring or investigator site visits typically require in-person presence.

How can I get hired as a clinical research director in District of Columbia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is building a foundation as a clinical research coordinator or associate at one of Washington, D.C.'s large research institutions, such as NIH, MedStar Health, or Children's National Hospital, which regularly hire entry-level research staff and offer structured mentorship within active trial programs. Moving into a clinical research manager or project lead role before pursuing a director position is the standard trajectory. Earning a Certified Clinical Research Associate credential early strengthens a candidate's profile considerably.

Where can I find and apply to clinical research director jobs in District of Columbia?

You can find and apply to clinical research director jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the District of Columbia market. Search the roles available, identify the ones that match your experience and research focus, and apply directly to the positions that fit.

See All 129+ Clinical Research Director Jobs in District of Columbia

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