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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Showing 5 of 10+ Clinical Research Nurse jobs
Join the transformative team at City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. Our dedicated and compassionate employees are driven by a common mission: To deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today.
Are you a compassionate and detail-oriented Registered Nurse passionate about advancing healthcare? Join our team as a Clinical Research Nurse, where you’ll play a vital role in guiding patients through innovative clinical trials while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, Clinical Research Associates (CRA), pharmacists, and coordinators.
This is a unique opportunity to blend clinical expertise with research excellence—helping bring groundbreaking treatments to life while delivering exceptional patient-centered care.
What You’ll Do
Clinical Trial Patient Management
- Partner with investigators to determine patient eligibility and ensure accurate documentation of clinical trial criteria
- Assess, monitor, and document patient conditions, treatment responses, and changes in health status in accordance with IRB protocols
- Coordinate care across the continuum (outpatient, inpatient, and home settings)
- Triage patient calls and provide proactive communication and support to patients and families
- Collaborate closely with physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), pharmacists, and research teams
- Plan and execute protocol-specific activities including randomization, assessments, treatments, and follow-ups
- Ensure all clinical trial documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant to avoid protocol deviations
- Support and monitor patient adherence to study protocols
Patient & Family Education
- Educate patients and families on clinical trial treatments, procedures, and follow-up care
- Provide ongoing support to ensure understanding and adherence to treatment plans
Informed Consent & Compliance
- Ensure informed consent processes meet all regulatory requirements (IRB, FDA, institutional, and sponsor guidelines)
- Participate in patient education during consent and escalate concerns to the Principal Investigator
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation of consent forms
Protocol Oversight & Collaboration
- Assist with study initiation, monitoring visits, and audits
- Collaborate with research pharmacy and investigators to develop and implement protocol-specific orders
- Promote adherence to clinical trial protocols and regulatory standards
- Coordinate scheduling of patient visits, testing, and follow-ups
- Educate nursing staff on protocol requirements and safe medication administration
Additional Responsibilities
- Deliver patient-centered care in alignment with organizational policies and the California Nurse Practice Act
- Maintain a high standard of professionalism, teamwork, and organization
- Stay current with clinical research regulations, standards, and best practices
- Serve as a mentor or preceptor for new staff and nursing students
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners including physicians, sponsors, and community resources
Your qualifications should include:
- BSN
- 2 or more years of experience in oncology, clinical research, research, ICU, other intensive care setting, pediatrics, case management or nurse navigation
- Human subjects protection training (can be completed after hire)
Required Certification/Licensure:
- Current California RN License
- American Heart Association BLS Certification
City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.
City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.
Join the transformative team at City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. Our dedicated and compassionate employees are driven by a common mission: To deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today.
Are you a compassionate and detail-oriented Registered Nurse passionate about advancing healthcare? Join our team as a Clinical Research Nurse, where you’ll play a vital role in guiding patients through innovative clinical trials while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, Clinical Research Associates (CRA), pharmacists, and coordinators.
This is a unique opportunity to blend clinical expertise with research excellence—helping bring groundbreaking treatments to life while delivering exceptional patient-centered care.
What You’ll Do
Clinical Trial Patient Management
- Partner with investigators to determine patient eligibility and ensure accurate documentation of clinical trial criteria
- Assess, monitor, and document patient conditions, treatment responses, and changes in health status in accordance with IRB protocols
- Coordinate care across the continuum (outpatient, inpatient, and home settings)
- Triage patient calls and provide proactive communication and support to patients and families
- Collaborate closely with physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), pharmacists, and research teams
- Plan and execute protocol-specific activities including randomization, assessments, treatments, and follow-ups
- Ensure all clinical trial documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant to avoid protocol deviations
- Support and monitor patient adherence to study protocols
Patient & Family Education
- Educate patients and families on clinical trial treatments, procedures, and follow-up care
- Provide ongoing support to ensure understanding and adherence to treatment plans
Informed Consent & Compliance
- Ensure informed consent processes meet all regulatory requirements (IRB, FDA, institutional, and sponsor guidelines)
- Participate in patient education during consent and escalate concerns to the Principal Investigator
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation of consent forms
Protocol Oversight & Collaboration
- Assist with study initiation, monitoring visits, and audits
- Collaborate with research pharmacy and investigators to develop and implement protocol-specific orders
- Promote adherence to clinical trial protocols and regulatory standards
- Coordinate scheduling of patient visits, testing, and follow-ups
- Educate nursing staff on protocol requirements and safe medication administration
Additional Responsibilities
- Deliver patient-centered care in alignment with organizational policies and the California Nurse Practice Act
- Maintain a high standard of professionalism, teamwork, and organization
- Stay current with clinical research regulations, standards, and best practices
- Serve as a mentor or preceptor for new staff and nursing students
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners including physicians, sponsors, and community resources
Your qualifications should include:
- BSN
- 2 or more years of experience in oncology, clinical research, research, ICU, other intensive care setting, pediatrics, case management or nurse navigation
- Human subjects protection training (can be completed after hire)
Required Certification/Licensure:
- Current California RN License
- American Heart Association BLS Certification
City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.
City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.
See All 10 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 JobsClinical Research Nurse Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Nurse Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- City of Hope6
- Eikon Therapeutics2
- Stanford Health Care1
- University of California - San Francisco1
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research5
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Education1
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 City of Hope, Eikon Therapeutics, and Stanford Health Care, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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?
Duarte, Millbrae, and San Francisco 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 30% of clinical research nurse openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 10 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