Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in California

Clinical Research Nurse jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in academic medical centers, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and large hospital-based research programs, with openings from entry-level research nurse positions through senior principal investigator support roles. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by institutions like UCSF Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Rady Children's Hospital San Diego. The most in-demand specialties are oncology trials, cardiovascular research, and first-in-human Phase I studies. 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 Nurse 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 20h 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 Nurse Jobs in California

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

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Clinical Research Nurse Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
40 jobs
San Francisco
21 jobs
San Diego
15 jobs
Stanford
14 jobs
Carlsbad
12 jobs
Orange
11 jobs
Irvine
9 jobs
Sacramento
7 jobs
Los Alamitos
7 jobs

Clinical Research Nurse 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 nurse jobs across California.

  • Active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
  • Minimum two years of clinical nursing experience in an acute care or specialty setting
  • Experience with clinical trial protocols, ICH-GCP guidelines, and FDA regulatory requirements
  • Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) or Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) credential preferred
  • Proficiency with electronic data capture systems such as REDCap, Medidata Rave, or similar platforms
  • Strong understanding of informed consent procedures and adverse event reporting requirements

Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research nurse in California?

You need an active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing, which requires passing the NCLEX-RN after completing an accredited nursing program. Most California employers also expect clinical bedside experience before moving into research. From there, nurses typically pursue Good Clinical Practice training and a credential such as the CCRP through the Society of Clinical Research Associates, which significantly strengthens applications at California academic medical centers and biotech-affiliated research sites.

Which companies hire clinical research nurses in California?

Employers hiring clinical research nurses 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, academic medical centers, and contract research organizations means the pipeline of research nursing roles is consistently active across both large health systems and specialty clinical trial sites.

Which California cities have the most clinical research nurse jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most clinical research nurse openings in California. San Francisco and San Diego drive volume through their biotech and pharmaceutical corridors, where companies run ongoing multi-phase trials, while Los Angeles reflects the scale of its large academic medical centers and hospital-based oncology and cardiovascular research programs.

Are there remote clinical research nurse jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Clinical research nursing is primarily a hands-on role involving direct patient contact, specimen collection, and on-site protocol compliance, so most positions require a physical presence at a research site or clinical facility. About 51% of clinical research nurse openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those tend to be in regulatory coordination, patient follow-up calls, or remote monitoring support rather than active trial nursing.

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

The most realistic entry path is transitioning from a bedside nursing role in oncology, cardiology, or critical care, where patient assessment and protocol familiarity are directly transferable. Large California health systems including UCSF Health and Kaiser Permanente run research nurse residency and internship programs designed for nurses moving into clinical trials for the first time. Completing a Good Clinical Practice certification and volunteering on institutional review board studies at a California academic center can also build a credible research portfolio before your first dedicated research nursing hire.

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

You can find and apply to clinical research nurse jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across academic medical centers, biotech employers, contract research organizations, and hospital-based trial sites. Find roles that match your specialty and experience level and apply directly through the listings.

See All 258+ Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in California

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

Find Clinical Research Nurse Jobs