Clinical Research Jobs in Pennsylvania
Clinical Research jobs in Pennsylvania are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in pharmaceutical R&D, academic medical centers, and health system-sponsored trials, with openings from entry-level research coordinators through senior clinical trial managers and principal investigators. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and King of Prussia anchor the market, where organizations like GSK, Merck, and Penn Medicine maintain deep and ongoing research footprints. The most sought-after specialties include oncology trials, Phase I through Phase III coordination, and regulatory affairs support. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Clinical Research Coord II
The Lung Transplant Research Division at UPMC is a dynamic and highly specialized research department dedicated to advancing clinical knowledge and improving outcomes for lung transplant patients. The division supports a diverse and growing research portfolio, currently managing clinical research studies in various phases of enrollment, start-up, and follow-up, with additional studies anticipated in the near future.
The research team consists of one dedicated Research Coordinator and two Primary Investigators who work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group of ancillary support staff, including Physician Assistants (PAs), Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs), operating room personnel, physicians, and other clinical and administrative staff. Together, these individuals contribute to the successful execution of research activities, regulatory compliance, patient recruitment, data collection, and study oversight.
Research activities are conducted across multiple UPMC facilities, including the UPMC Shadyside Medical Building, Falk Medical Building, and the UPMC Presbyterian operating rooms, requiring close coordination among clinical and research personnel.
This position plays a critical role in supporting the division's research mission by ensuring high-quality study conduct, fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, and contributing to the ongoing expansion of innovative research opportunities within the Lung Transplant Program.
Qualifications Required:
- Bachelor's degree in a health science, biological science, nursing, public health, or related field.
- Experience coordinating clinical research studies or equivalent research experience; knowledge of clinical research methodology and regulatory requirements; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Qualifications Preferred:
Clinical research coordination experience in transplant, thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, or related specialties. Experience with patient screening, recruitment, and informed consent processes: experience with protocol management and regulatory submissions to the IRB and other oversight committees; experience with research databases and electronic data capture systems; familiarity with GCP, human subject protections, and research compliance requirements.
Conducts research assessments on study participants. Assists with and adheres to Institutional Review Board (IRB) renewal, modification, and approved protocols. Assists with training staff. Ensures adherence to protocols and corrects issues with data collection.
The position will coordinate and manage day-to-day operations of clinical research studies within the Lung Transplant Program; screen, recruit, consent, and enroll research participants in accordance with approved protocols and regulatory requirements; maintain compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), institutional policies, sponsor guidelines, and applicable federal regulations. GCP compliance is a foundational component of research study conduct. In addition, the position will be responsible for:
- Prepare and submit regulatory documents, including but not limited to Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, continuing reviews, amendments, and study closures.
- Coordinate study visits, specimen collection, and research-related procedures.
- Perform accurate and timely data collection, entry, verification, and database management.
- Maintain study files and regulatory binders and ensure completion of required study documentation.
- Assist investigators with protocol implementation and ongoing study management.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary clinical and research teams across multiple locations.
Participate in study monitoring visits, audits, and sponsor communications as needed.
Physical Effort
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to travel between UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Shadyside campuses.
- Ability to transport study materials and equipment as needed.
- Must have reliable transportation for travel between clinical and research sites.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Clinical Research Coord II
The Lung Transplant Research Division at UPMC is a dynamic and highly specialized research department dedicated to advancing clinical knowledge and improving outcomes for lung transplant patients. The division supports a diverse and growing research portfolio, currently managing clinical research studies in various phases of enrollment, start-up, and follow-up, with additional studies anticipated in the near future.
The research team consists of one dedicated Research Coordinator and two Primary Investigators who work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group of ancillary support staff, including Physician Assistants (PAs), Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs), operating room personnel, physicians, and other clinical and administrative staff. Together, these individuals contribute to the successful execution of research activities, regulatory compliance, patient recruitment, data collection, and study oversight.
Research activities are conducted across multiple UPMC facilities, including the UPMC Shadyside Medical Building, Falk Medical Building, and the UPMC Presbyterian operating rooms, requiring close coordination among clinical and research personnel.
This position plays a critical role in supporting the division's research mission by ensuring high-quality study conduct, fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, and contributing to the ongoing expansion of innovative research opportunities within the Lung Transplant Program.
Qualifications Required:
- Bachelor's degree in a health science, biological science, nursing, public health, or related field.
- Experience coordinating clinical research studies or equivalent research experience; knowledge of clinical research methodology and regulatory requirements; strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Qualifications Preferred:
Clinical research coordination experience in transplant, thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, or related specialties. Experience with patient screening, recruitment, and informed consent processes: experience with protocol management and regulatory submissions to the IRB and other oversight committees; experience with research databases and electronic data capture systems; familiarity with GCP, human subject protections, and research compliance requirements.
Conducts research assessments on study participants. Assists with and adheres to Institutional Review Board (IRB) renewal, modification, and approved protocols. Assists with training staff. Ensures adherence to protocols and corrects issues with data collection.
The position will coordinate and manage day-to-day operations of clinical research studies within the Lung Transplant Program; screen, recruit, consent, and enroll research participants in accordance with approved protocols and regulatory requirements; maintain compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), institutional policies, sponsor guidelines, and applicable federal regulations. GCP compliance is a foundational component of research study conduct. In addition, the position will be responsible for:
- Prepare and submit regulatory documents, including but not limited to Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, continuing reviews, amendments, and study closures.
- Coordinate study visits, specimen collection, and research-related procedures.
- Perform accurate and timely data collection, entry, verification, and database management.
- Maintain study files and regulatory binders and ensure completion of required study documentation.
- Assist investigators with protocol implementation and ongoing study management.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary clinical and research teams across multiple locations.
Participate in study monitoring visits, audits, and sponsor communications as needed.
Physical Effort
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to travel between UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Shadyside campuses.
- Ability to transport study materials and equipment as needed.
- Must have reliable transportation for travel between clinical and research sites.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
See All 87 Clinical Research Jobs in Pennsylvania
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Find Clinical Research JobsClinical Research Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Pennsylvania19
- University of Pittsburgh11
- Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health10
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia5
- Penn State Health4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services14
- Education6
- Science & Research1
- Agriculture & Farming1
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals1
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field
- Experience with GCP guidelines and FDA regulatory compliance for clinical trials
- Proficiency in electronic data capture systems such as Medidata Rave or Veeva Vault
- Strong knowledge of informed consent processes and IRB submission procedures
- ACRP or SOCRA certification (CCRC or CCRP) preferred or required by many Pennsylvania employers
- Ability to coordinate multi-site trials and manage study timelines independently
Clinical Research Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research in Pennsylvania?
A bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or health-related field is the standard entry point for clinical research roles in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania does not issue a state-specific license for clinical research coordinators, so most employers look for industry credentials from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA). Completing a Good Clinical Practice certification and gaining experience through a hospital or academic medical center research program strengthens your candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire clinical researchs in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring clinical researchs in Pennsylvania right now include University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, and Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of major pharmaceutical headquarters and academic health systems creates unusually steady hiring compared with most other states.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most clinical research jobs?
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Hershey have the most clinical research openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia dominates because of its dense cluster of academic medical centers, pharmaceutical campuses, and contract research organizations, while Pittsburgh draws consistent demand from UPMC's large research enterprise and Carnegie Mellon-affiliated life science activity, and suburban corridors like King of Prussia benefit from nearby GSK and Merck facilities.
Are there remote clinical research jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because many clinical research roles require on-site patient contact, specimen handling, or direct trial monitoring. About 50% of clinical research openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a mix of in-person and flexible arrangements. Roles most likely to be remote include regulatory document management, clinical data review, and sponsor-side monitoring oversight positions.
How can I get hired as a clinical research in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a clinical research coordinator I or research associate position at a Pennsylvania academic health system, where programs like those at Penn Medicine, UPMC, or Jefferson Health regularly onboard candidates from adjacent roles such as medical assistant, phlebotomist, or clinical data entry specialist. Completing a Good Clinical Practice course and earning an entry-level ACRP or SOCRA credential before applying gives a measurable edge. Volunteer or internship experience through a Pennsylvania university clinical trials unit can substitute for paid experience in many initial screening conversations.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to clinical research jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to each position through the listing.
See All 87 Clinical Research Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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