Clinical Research Jobs in Illinois

Clinical Research jobs in Illinois are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in pharmaceutical development, academic medical research, and biotech, with openings at every level from entry-level research coordinator through senior principal investigator. Chicago leads hiring volume, with significant activity in the North Shore suburbs and the research corridor around Evanston and Lake County, where employers like Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, and Northwestern Medicine maintain long-standing clinical operations. The most sought-after specialties include oncology trials, cardiovascular studies, and regulatory affairs-adjacent roles requiring GCP certification and protocol management experience. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles68
Top employerRush University Medical Center
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring18
Work type71% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 68+ Clinical Research jobs

Patient Recruitment Coordinator (Clinical Research)
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Added 4d ago
Patient Recruitment Coordinator (Clinical Research)
Koch Family Medicine
Morton, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$22 - $28/hr
On-Site

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Clinical Research Nurse
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Added 4d ago
Clinical Research Nurse
VIVA
Chicago, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Healthcare Administration
Research & Academia
$40 - $45/hr
Bachelor of Science
11-50

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Clinical Research Coordinator III - IM Rheumatology - Full-time
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Added 5d ago
Clinical Research Coordinator III - IM Rheumatology - Full-time
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Research & Academia
$29.36 - $42.61/hr
Bachelor's degree

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Clinical Research Nurse
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Added 6d ago
Clinical Research Nurse
Northwestern Medicine
Orland Park, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Healthcare Administration
Research & Academia
$40.5 - $64.8/hr
Master's degree in nursing
10,000+

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Senior Clinical Research Coordinator - Gurnee, IL
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Added 6d ago
Senior Clinical Research Coordinator - Gurnee, IL
Iterative Health
Gurnee, Illinois
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
Human Resources
Associate's degree
201-500

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See All 68 Clinical Research Jobs in Illinois

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

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Clinical Research Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Peoria
7 jobs
Streeterville
5 jobs
River
3 jobs
Morton
2 jobs
Evanston
2 jobs
Orland Park
2 jobs
Gurnee
1 job
Rockford
1 job

Clinical Research Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

  • Rush University Medical Center13
  • Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago8
  • OSF HealthCare6
  • The University of Chicago6
  • IQVIA5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services11
  • Education6
  • Transportation & Logistics1

What Illinois Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field required
  • GCP certification from ACRP or SOCRA recognized by Illinois employers
  • Experience with clinical trial management systems such as Medidata or Veeva
  • Familiarity with FDA regulations, ICH guidelines, and IRB submission processes
  • Strong attention to protocol adherence and source document verification practices
  • Proficiency in data entry and electronic data capture systems across trial phases

Clinical Research Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research in Illinois?

Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for clinical research professionals, so entry into the field depends on education and nationally recognized credentials. Most employers in Illinois look for a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or public health field, followed by certification from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals or the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Many candidates start in coordinator roles at Chicago-area academic medical centers or pharmaceutical companies and build toward certification through documented trial experience.

Which companies hire clinical researchs in Illinois?

Employers hiring clinical researchs in Illinois right now include Rush University Medical Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and OSF HealthCare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters and major academic health systems in the Chicago metropolitan area means hiring tends to be sustained year-round rather than seasonal.

Which Illinois cities have the most clinical research jobs?

Chicago, Peoria, and Streeterville have the most clinical research openings in Illinois. Chicago anchors the market through its academic medical centers and pharma presence, while North Shore suburbs like North Chicago and Lake County benefit from AbbVie and Abbott Laboratories headquarters, drawing coordinator and regulatory roles to those communities even outside the city core.

Are there remote clinical research jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many clinical research roles require on-site trial monitoring, patient contact, or facility access. About 29% of clinical research openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with the remote-eligible positions concentrated in regulatory affairs, data management, and clinical project management functions rather than coordinator or site-based roles.

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

The most realistic entry path is a research coordinator role at a Chicago-area academic medical center, where institutions like Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and UChicago Medicine regularly hire candidates with a relevant degree and no prior trial experience. Completing a clinical research fundamentals course and holding student membership with ACRP strengthens a new applicant's profile considerably. Adjacent roles in data entry, patient scheduling, or clinical quality assurance at hospital systems also serve as practical stepping stones into coordinator positions.

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

You can find and apply to clinical research jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, the North Shore suburbs, and other parts of the state. Search the available roles, find one that fits your experience and specialty area, and apply directly from the listing.

See All 68 Clinical Research Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Clinical Research Jobs