Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Illinois
Clinical Research Nurse jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with demand concentrated in academic medical centers, pharmaceutical research organizations, and specialty oncology and cardiology trial sites at every level from entry-level research coordinators to senior principal investigators. Chicago, Evanston, and Maywood anchor most of the hiring, home to large institutions such as Northwestern Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, and the University of Chicago Medicine. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois are oncology trials, phase I and II clinical studies, and rare disease research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Koch Clinical Research
Koch Clinical Research is a small, established medical research organization in Morton, Illinois. For more than 30 years, our team has helped patients participate in clinical studies evaluating new treatments, vaccines, and medical devices.
We are looking for a friendly, organized, and motivated individual to help connect patients with research opportunities.
This position is ideal for someone with healthcare or medical office experience who enjoys talking with people, is comfortable with technology, and wants to learn new skills. Previous clinical research or marketing experience is not required.
What You'll Do
Your primary responsibility will be communicating with potential research participants and helping them understand whether a clinical study might be a good fit.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Contact patients by telephone and respond to inquiries about research opportunities.
- Ask structured questions about medical history, medications, and health conditions to assess preliminary eligibility.
- Explain basic study information and help interested patients schedule appointments.
- Maintain accurate records of patient conversations, screening outcomes, and follow-up activities.
- Assist with recruitment marketing, including social media posts, advertisements, flyers, and community outreach.
- Identify opportunities to improve how we communicate with patients and recruit for new studies.
- Support other administrative and clinical research activities as needed.
Much of this position involves speaking with patients on the phone, following up with interested individuals, and accurately documenting information. While marketing is part of the role, this is not primarily a graphic design or social media position.
Who We're Looking For
We believe the right personality, communication skills, and work ethic are more important than experience in clinical research.
An ideal candidate will:
- Enjoy talking with people and be comfortable making frequent outbound calls.
- Have some familiarity with healthcare, medical terminology, or medical office operations.
- Be detail-oriented, organized, and dependable.
- Be comfortable using computers and learning new software.
- Communicate clearly, professionally, and compassionately.
- Take initiative, solve problems, and follow through without constant supervision.
- Enjoy working collaboratively in a small team where responsibilities may vary.
Relevant experience: Medical assistants, medical receptionists, patient access specialists, medical schedulers, pharmacy technicians, care coordinators, and individuals with similar experience are encouraged to apply.
Experience with clinical research, patient recruitment, marketing, social media, or Canva is a plus, but not required.
Why Join Our Team?
- Meaningful work: Help patients learn about opportunities to participate in medical research.
- Supportive environment: Work closely with a small, experienced team.
- Variety: Combine patient interaction, organization, problem-solving, and creative outreach.
- Professional growth: Learn clinical research operations, recruitment strategies, and marketing skills.
- Consistent schedule: Weekday hours with flexibility in selecting a regular work schedule.
Compensation and Benefits
- $22–$28 per hour, based on qualifications and experience.
- Potential performance-based bonuses.
- Benefits based on eligibility, including paid time off, life insurance, and retirement plan options.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance available to eligible full-time employees.
How to Apply
Please send your resume to brian.w@kochresearch.com and briefly explain why this position interests you.
We are especially interested in candidates who enjoy patient communication, are comfortable with phone-based work, and want to become part of a team contributing to medical research.
Pay: $22.00 - $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 24.0 – 36.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 68 Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Research Nurse JobsClinical Research Nurse Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Nurse 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 nurse jobs across Illinois.
- Active registered nurse license issued or recognized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Minimum associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, with BSN strongly preferred by research institutions
- One or more years of clinical nursing experience in a hospital, oncology, or specialty care setting
- Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) or equivalent credential from SOCRA or ACRP preferred
- Demonstrated experience collecting and documenting data per Good Clinical Practice guidelines
- Ability to obtain and maintain human subjects research certification such as CITI Program training
Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research nurse in Illinois?
You become a clinical research nurse in Illinois by first obtaining an active registered nurse license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which requires passing the NCLEX-RN. From there, most Illinois employers expect at least one year of direct patient care experience before moving into a research role. Pursuing a voluntary credential such as the CCRP through SOCRA or ACRP strengthens your application significantly at Illinois academic medical centers and research hospitals.
Which companies hire clinical research nurses in Illinois?
Employers hiring clinical research nurses 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 academic health systems and contract research organizations means hiring tends to be steady year-round rather than seasonal.
Which Illinois cities have the most clinical research nurse jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Streeterville have the most clinical research nurse openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its dense cluster of academic medical centers, NCI-designated cancer centers, and pharmaceutical headquarters, while Evanston and Maywood generate consistent openings through Northwestern Medicine and Loyola University Medical Center, both of which run large ongoing trial portfolios in oncology, cardiology, and rare disease.
Are there remote clinical research nurse jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Clinical research nursing is primarily an on-site role because most responsibilities involve direct patient contact, specimen collection, and protocol-driven assessments at the trial site. About 29% of clinical research nurse openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to cover administrative functions such as data entry, regulatory document management, or telephone follow-up rather than hands-on patient care.
How can I get hired as a clinical research nurse in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to research coordinator or clinical trial assistant roles at Illinois academic medical centers, which regularly bring on nurses with limited research backgrounds and provide on-the-job Good Clinical Practice training. Northwestern Medicine, the University of Chicago Medicine, and Rush University Medical Center each run structured new-hire onboarding for research staff. Moving laterally from a med-surg, oncology, or infusion nursing position is common, as bedside assessment and IV skills transfer directly. Completing free CITI Program training before applying gives your application a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research nurse jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to clinical research nurse jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, Evanston, Maywood, and other Illinois markets. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 68 Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Illinois
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