Clinical Research Jobs in California

Clinical Research jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic medical sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level clinical research coordinator through senior principal investigator and study director. The largest hiring hubs are San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, where companies like Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca maintain deep California operations and ongoing trial activity. The most in-demand specialties include oncology, neurology, and early-phase clinical trials, reflecting California's leadership in drug development and biologics research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles705+
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring64
Work type91% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 705+ Clinical Research jobs

University of California - San Francisco
Clinical Research Coordinator
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University of California - San Francisco
Added 3d ago
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of California - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Manager, Clinical Research Engineering
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Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Added 3d ago
Manager, Clinical Research Engineering
Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical)
Sunnyvale, California
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Support
Product Management
Research & Academia
$159k - $269k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Coordinator, Clinical Research Consortia
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Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Added 3d ago
Coordinator, Clinical Research Consortia
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$70k - $99k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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BD
Senior Specialist, Clinical Research
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BD
Added 4d ago
Senior Specialist, Clinical Research
BD
Laguna Canyon, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Research
Clinical Trials
$106k - $169k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of California - San Francisco
Clinical Research Coordinator
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University of California - San Francisco
Added 5d ago
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of California - San Francisco
Oakland, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Research
Clinical Trials
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Clinical Research Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
203 jobs
San Diego
88 jobs
South San Francisco
60 jobs
Redwood City
55 jobs
Los Angeles
46 jobs
Duarte
27 jobs
Palo Alto
20 jobs
San Carlos
20 jobs
Irvine
16 jobs

Clinical Research Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • University of California - San Francisco
    University of California - San Francisco68
  • University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco67
  • Revolution Medicines
    Revolution Medicines44
  • City of Hope
    City of Hope36
  • Genentech
    Genentech30

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals279
  • Education197
  • Healthcare & Medical Services161
  • Science & Research116
  • Medical Devices38

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field required
  • Society of Clinical Research Associates or Association of Clinical Research Professionals certification preferred
  • Demonstrated experience with GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and ICH standards
  • Proficiency in electronic data capture systems such as Medidata Rave or REDCap
  • Experience coordinating or monitoring Phase I through Phase III clinical trials
  • Strong regulatory document management skills and familiarity with IRB submission processes

Clinical Research Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research professional in California?

The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or health-related field, followed by an entry-level role as a clinical research coordinator. California does not require a state-issued license specific to clinical research, but employers strongly prefer candidates who hold ACRP or SOCRA certification. Completing a GCP training course and gaining hands-on trial coordination experience at a California academic medical center or biotech company positions you competitively for advancement.

Which companies hire clinical researchs in California?

Employers hiring clinical researchs in California right now include University of California - San Francisco, University of California, San Francisco, and Revolution Medicines, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of biotech headquarters, pharmaceutical research campuses, and academic medical centers means hiring is ongoing across both large corporations and specialized contract research organizations.

Which California cities have the most clinical research jobs?

San Francisco, San Diego, and South San Francisco have the most clinical research openings in California. San Diego and San Francisco lead because of their established biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystems, while Los Angeles draws hiring through its large academic medical centers and hospital networks running active investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored trials.

Are there remote clinical research jobs in California?

Yes, but they represent a smaller share of the total, since much of clinical research work requires on-site patient contact, facility access, or direct study oversight. About 9% of clinical research openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, concentrated in study monitoring, data management, regulatory affairs, and medical writing roles that do not require physical trial site presence.

How can I get hired as a clinical research professional in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is a clinical research coordinator role at a California academic medical center such as UC San Francisco, UCLA Health, or UC San Diego Health, all of which run structured onboarding programs for new coordinators. Candidates coming from adjacent roles like medical assistant, registered nurse, or pharmacy technician often transition successfully, and completing a GCP certification course before applying gives your application a concrete credential that many California hiring managers look for in entry-level candidates.

Where can I find and apply to clinical research jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical research jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the state's major hiring hubs and trial sites. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty area and apply directly to the positions that match.

See All 705+ Clinical Research Jobs in California

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

Find Clinical Research Jobs