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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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 Nurse jobs

Patient Recruitment Coordinator (Clinical Research)
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Added 3d 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 5d 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 Nurse Jobs in Illinois

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

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Clinical Research Nurse Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
35 jobs
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 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

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

Find Clinical Research Nurse Jobs