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 roles258+
Top employerIQVIA
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring83
Work type49% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 258+ Clinical Research jobs

Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring
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New 13h ago
Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring
Edwards Lifesciences
California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$108k - $153k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Clinical Research Specialist-RN - Research/Projects - Sharp Mary Birch - FT 0.9 - 8hr Days
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New 15h ago
Clinical Research Specialist-RN - Research/Projects - Sharp Mary Birch - FT 0.9 - 8hr Days
Sharp HealthCare
San Diego, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$59.61 - $86.15/hr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Clinical Research Specialist
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New 16h ago
Clinical Research Specialist
Community Health System
Fresno, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$37.33 - $47.5/hr
Master's degree in health science
10,000+

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Clinical Research Coordinator II - Surgery Chair
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New 19h ago
Clinical Research Coordinator II - Surgery Chair
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$60k - $102k/yr
Bachelor's degree in sociology
10,000+

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Clinical Research Associate II
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New 19h ago
Clinical Research Associate II
Abbott
Alameda, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$82k - $141k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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See All 258+ Clinical Research Jobs in California

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

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Clinical Research Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Stanford
14 jobs
Carlsbad
12 jobs
Orange
11 jobs
Irvine
9 jobs
Sacramento
7 jobs
Los Alamitos
7 jobs

Clinical Research Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • IQVIA29
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center17
  • Stanford University14
  • Kaiser Permanente12
  • CenExel Clinical Research12

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services12
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals8
  • Education6
  • Consulting & Professional Services4
  • Medical Devices1

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 IQVIA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Stanford University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 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?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego 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 51% of clinical research openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 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 258+ Clinical Research Jobs in California

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

Find Clinical Research Jobs