Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia
Clinical Research Scientist jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in one of the most research-intensive markets in the country, driven by federal agencies, biotech firms, and academic medical centers across Washington D.C. Major employers with lasting presences include the National Institutes of Health, MedStar Health, and Covance, with hiring activity spread across D.C. proper and nearby corridors. Oncology, infectious disease, and regulatory science are the most in-demand specialties, with openings at every level from associate scientist to principal investigator. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 132+ Clinical Research Scientist jobs











Implements and coordinates research and administrative procedures for the successful management of clinical trials. Performs diverse administrative duties requiring analysis sound judgment and a high level of knowledge of study specific protocols. Enters study and/or research participant data into the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) as applicable.
- Regulatory responsibilities include the oversight and/or responsibility for the Intuitional Review Board (IRB) submissions and other related regulatory forms (e.g. scientific review) and adhering to the timelines of the study start-up process; developing informed consent documents and other documents as applicable; supporting the safety of clinical research participants; ensureing the appropriate delegation of study related tasks (i.e. Delegation of Authority).
- Explains the informed consent process and the study to the research participant (e.g. purpose duration risks/benefits) and obtains all required signatures; ensures the research participant has sufficient time and opportunity to ask the investigator medical questions; documents the informed consent process in the source document and provides the research participant with a copy of the informed consent.
- Develops an effective recruitment plan (e.g. central recruitment core); recruits research participants and discuss study protocol; educates research participants about protocol expectations and meets with research participants for each visit and maintains accessibility to discuss any questions or concerns regarding the study;
- Oversees the development of advertising materials; participates in teleconferences and/or meetings to review study progress and conduct.
- Data entry responsibilities include the completion and maintenance of case report forms and reviews data against the research participant's medical record for completeness and accuracy; addressing all queries clarifications and outstanding data queries and appropriately communicating with the sponsor and/or Contract Research Organization (CRO); completing and submitting case report forms on as close to a real time basis as possible.
- Ensures proper collection processing and shipment of biospecimens and pharmacokinetics as applicable (e.g. centrifuge freezing refrigeration) and maintains current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training regarding Bloodborne Pathogens;
- Assists with maintaining equipment (e.g. calibration preventive maintenance); communicates with manager investigator and sponsor regarding abnormal laboratory values; maintains Internal Air and Transportation Association (IATA) training for routine packaging labeling and transporting of biological materials.
- Study conduct responsibilities include research participant interviews and assessments at study visits as required by protocol; assessing and ensuring research participant safety through study participation; maintaining close communication with investigator;
- Attending investigator meetings as appropriate and communicating relevant information to the research team; understanding and proficiently communicating all components of research documents such as protocol investigator brochure and research instructions.
- Receives and maintains test articles from sponsor and inventory test articles; works with research pharmacist as applicable; stores test article supplies according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and sponsor requirements; administers test article as appropriate;
- Retrieves test articles and calculates research participant compliance; maintains randomization and emergency codes of test article; documents on accountability log and research participant record (e.g. test article received used disposed).
- Ensures that non-serious and serious adverse events are properly identified documented and reported according to all applicable requirements; presents investigator with relevant information for determination of seriousness causality and intervention; acts on investigator's recommendation for adverse event intervention (e.g. stop test article call research participant re-test treat); maintains follow-up to determine resolution of adverse event.
- Understands and complies with rules for billing Medicare Medicaid and third party payors for services drugs devices tests and procedures rendered in the clinical research context;
- Responsible for reviewing understanding and accepting the billing matrix/billing plan generated by administration for research participants enrolled in clinical studies; ensures research participant stipends have been routed in a timely manner as applicable.
- Study close-out responsibilities include return or disposition of unused supplies per sponsors requirement; reconciling test article accountability; document research participants who are lost to follow-up or who have dropped out (e.g. causes contact efforts); ensuring long term storage of documents; submitting IRB closing report (i.e. termination) after sponsor has closed study site.
- Acts as a liaison with research participants investigators sponsors and healthcare professionals; prepares for site qualification study initiation monitoring and close-out visits;
- Ensures all research participant encounters are updated as appropriate and within one business day in clinical trial management system (CTMS); works effectively with multidisciplinary ancillary and inter-professional research teams; possesses a basic understanding of scientific center goals and the importance of serving our customers.
Education
- Bachelor's degree or an allied health or related professional degree required, or equivalent work experience
- 2 years of relevant clinical research experience required
- Experience in a healthcare setting preferred
- Undergraduate and/or work experiences that demonstrates aptitude for research facilitation preferred
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Basic computer skills preferred.
See All 132+ Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsClinical Research Scientist Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Scientist Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Children's National Hospital23

- Georgetown University9

- Howard University7

- Johns Hopkins University7

- Council On Foreign Relations5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services26
- Education19
- Science & Research3
- Technology & Software3
- Government & Public Sector3
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research scientist jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacology, or a related field
- Experience designing and managing clinical trials through ICH-GCP guidelines
- Proficiency with clinical data management systems and electronic data capture platforms
- Strong knowledge of FDA regulatory requirements and trial submission processes
- Demonstrated ability to monitor sites, write protocols, and prepare regulatory documents
- Relevant certification such as ACRP CCRC, SOCRA CCRP, or RAC preferred
Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research scientist in District of Columbia?
There is no District of Columbia state license specifically for clinical research scientists, so entry depends on academic credentials and professional certification. Most D.C. employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in a life science field, with federal contractors and NIH-affiliated institutions commonly preferring a master's or doctorate. Earning the ACRP Certified Clinical Research Coordinator credential or the SOCRA CCRP designation significantly strengthens your candidacy with the government-adjacent employers that dominate D.C. hiring.
Which companies hire clinical research scientists in District of Columbia?
Companies currently hiring clinical research scientists in District of Columbia include Children's National Hospital, Georgetown University, and Howard University, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. D.C.'s concentration of federal contractors, NIH grantees, and global CROs means that many openings sit within organizations holding long-term government research contracts.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most clinical research scientist jobs?
The cities with the most clinical research scientist openings in District of Columbia are Washington and Foggy Bottom. Washington D.C. anchors the market through its federal agencies and academic medical centers, while adjacent areas draw spillover demand from contractors and CROs that cluster near NIH campuses and government research corridors.
Are there remote clinical research scientist jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, but they are limited. About 49% of clinical research scientist openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the fact that much of the role involves on-site monitoring, lab work, or regulated facility access. The portions most likely to be remote are data review, protocol writing, and regulatory document preparation.
How can I get hired as a clinical research scientist in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a clinical research coordinator or research assistant role at one of D.C.'s hospital systems or federal contractor sites, where hands-on trial experience builds quickly. MedStar Health and Children's National run research programs that regularly onboard new graduates into coordinator positions. Completing a GCP certification course and volunteering on an IRB-approved study at a D.C. university strengthens an application considerably before your first full-time role.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research scientist jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to clinical research scientist jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the area. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your background and target employers, and apply directly to the ones that match your experience and career level.
See All 132+ Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs