CPT Clinical Trial Associate Jobs
Clinical Trial Associate roles in pharmaceutical and CRO settings align directly with graduate programs in clinical research, public health, and life sciences, making them a strong CPT fit. Your DSO must confirm the position is an integral part of your curriculum before you begin work.
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Get Access To All JobsCategory: Science
Lab/Area: Palop Lab
Description
Who we are: The Gladstone Institutes is a leading independent, not-for-profit research organization dedicated to improving human health through groundbreaking biomedical research and education. Our work spans neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, immunology, and stem cell biology, with a strong emphasis on understanding and treating disease. With approximately 600 team members, including world-renowned scientists and biomedical leaders, Gladstone fosters a collaborative and innovative environment. Located at the Mission Bay Campus in a state-of-the-art facility, we offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and the resources to empower individuals to maximize their potential and make a meaningful impact on global health.
About The Role
The Palop Laboratory at the Gladstone Institutes is seeking a Research Associate to support projects focused on understanding cellular, synaptic, and network dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. This role primarily supports research led by postdoctoral scholars and PhD students and offers extensive training, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, including behavioral paradigms, in vivo electrophysiology, and machine-learning–based data analysis.
What You Will Do
- Support ongoing research projects in neurodegenerative and neurological disease models
- Perform histological techniques for neuroanatomy studies
- Test potential therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy
- Maintain mouse colonies and perform rodent handling and dosing
- Conduct behavioral testing (e.g., open field, mazes, novel object recognition)
- Carry out independent experiments, including data analysis and result preparation
- Present findings at lab meetings
- Potentially receive training in advanced techniques such as:
- Brain surgeries
- Electrophysiological recordings
- Optogenetic stimulation
- Advanced data analysis
What You Will Need
- Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, neuroscience, or bioengineering (preferred)
- Relevant experience or strong interest in neuroscience research
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
- Strong organizational, communication, and attention-to-detail skills
- Motivation to manage projects with minimal supervision
What Is Preferred
- Rodent handling and mouse colony maintenance
- Brain tissue collection and preparation (immunohistochemistry, Western blot, PCR, ELISA)
- Surgical techniques (intracranial injections, probe or optic fiber implantation)
- Behavioral experiments (open field, mazes, water maze, novel object recognition)
- Ex vivo or in vivo physiological recordings (brain slices, EEG/LFP)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (ImageJ, Excel, Prism, Python, MATLAB, SPSS)
- Eagerness to learn, passion for neuroscience, and commitment to scientific discovery
- Postbac candidates are encouraged to apply. Please provide a cover letter, CV, and 2–3 names of references. These materials can be sent to Dr. Jorge Palop at jorge.palop@gladstone.ucsf.edu.
Salary Range
$58K–$67K
Gladstone Perks & Benefits
- People–work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates within an organization that values each member of its community.
- A meaningful place to grow and learn–whether it’s your professional skills or scientific knowledge, we have the resources and environment to advance either so you can better support Gladstone’s mission to drive a new era of discovery in disease-oriented science and to mentor tomorrow’s leaders in an inspiring and excellent environment.
- Healthy work/life balance–you are highly engaged and productive at work because you can have time to recharge and enjoy a vibrant life outside of work.
- Compensation–competitive salary. Title and salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
- Excellent benefits–generous medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, paid vacation, commuter benefits, access to free shuttle transportation.
Gladstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other non-job related characteristic. We make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment.
Category: Science
Lab/Area: Palop Lab
Description
Who we are: The Gladstone Institutes is a leading independent, not-for-profit research organization dedicated to improving human health through groundbreaking biomedical research and education. Our work spans neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, immunology, and stem cell biology, with a strong emphasis on understanding and treating disease. With approximately 600 team members, including world-renowned scientists and biomedical leaders, Gladstone fosters a collaborative and innovative environment. Located at the Mission Bay Campus in a state-of-the-art facility, we offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and the resources to empower individuals to maximize their potential and make a meaningful impact on global health.
About The Role
The Palop Laboratory at the Gladstone Institutes is seeking a Research Associate to support projects focused on understanding cellular, synaptic, and network dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. This role primarily supports research led by postdoctoral scholars and PhD students and offers extensive training, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, including behavioral paradigms, in vivo electrophysiology, and machine-learning–based data analysis.
What You Will Do
- Support ongoing research projects in neurodegenerative and neurological disease models
- Perform histological techniques for neuroanatomy studies
- Test potential therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy
- Maintain mouse colonies and perform rodent handling and dosing
- Conduct behavioral testing (e.g., open field, mazes, novel object recognition)
- Carry out independent experiments, including data analysis and result preparation
- Present findings at lab meetings
- Potentially receive training in advanced techniques such as:
- Brain surgeries
- Electrophysiological recordings
- Optogenetic stimulation
- Advanced data analysis
What You Will Need
- Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, neuroscience, or bioengineering (preferred)
- Relevant experience or strong interest in neuroscience research
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
- Strong organizational, communication, and attention-to-detail skills
- Motivation to manage projects with minimal supervision
What Is Preferred
- Rodent handling and mouse colony maintenance
- Brain tissue collection and preparation (immunohistochemistry, Western blot, PCR, ELISA)
- Surgical techniques (intracranial injections, probe or optic fiber implantation)
- Behavioral experiments (open field, mazes, water maze, novel object recognition)
- Ex vivo or in vivo physiological recordings (brain slices, EEG/LFP)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (ImageJ, Excel, Prism, Python, MATLAB, SPSS)
- Eagerness to learn, passion for neuroscience, and commitment to scientific discovery
- Postbac candidates are encouraged to apply. Please provide a cover letter, CV, and 2–3 names of references. These materials can be sent to Dr. Jorge Palop at jorge.palop@gladstone.ucsf.edu.
Salary Range
$58K–$67K
Gladstone Perks & Benefits
- People–work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates within an organization that values each member of its community.
- A meaningful place to grow and learn–whether it’s your professional skills or scientific knowledge, we have the resources and environment to advance either so you can better support Gladstone’s mission to drive a new era of discovery in disease-oriented science and to mentor tomorrow’s leaders in an inspiring and excellent environment.
- Healthy work/life balance–you are highly engaged and productive at work because you can have time to recharge and enjoy a vibrant life outside of work.
- Compensation–competitive salary. Title and salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
- Excellent benefits–generous medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, paid vacation, commuter benefits, access to free shuttle transportation.
Gladstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other non-job related characteristic. We make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment.
See all Clinical Trial Associate jobs
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Get Access To All JobsClinical Trial Associate CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Trial Associate role qualify for CPT authorization?
A CTA role qualifies for CPT if your school determines it's an integral part of your degree program. Graduate programs in clinical research, biostatistics, public health, and pharmaceutical sciences typically satisfy this requirement. Your DSO reviews the job description against your curriculum, so a detailed offer letter describing protocol coordination, data review, or site management duties strengthens the case significantly.
Can I do CPT as a Clinical Trial Associate part-time during the semester?
Yes. Part-time CPT, defined as fewer than 20 hours per week, doesn't affect your OPT eligibility as long as you remain enrolled full-time. Many CROs and sponsor companies offer semester-long part-time placements specifically structured for students. Confirm the hours with your DSO before accepting, since your I-20 must reflect the authorized schedule.
Which degree programs most commonly authorize CPT for CTA roles?
Programs in clinical research management, pharmaceutical sciences, public health, biomedical sciences, and health informatics most frequently authorize CPT for CTA positions. Some regulatory affairs and nursing programs also qualify depending on the job duties. The O*NET occupation profile for Clinical Research Coordinators is a useful reference when your DSO needs documentation that the role aligns with your field of study.
How do I find Clinical Trial Associate employers who hire CPT students?
Search Migrate Mate for clinical research employers with DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, which shows organizations experienced with international work authorization. CROs, academic medical centers, and mid-size biotech companies tend to be more familiar with CPT than small investigator sites. Reaching out to university career offices with CRO partnerships can also surface employers who have hired CPT students in CTA roles before.
Does full-time CPT as a Clinical Trial Associate affect my OPT later?
Full-time CPT totaling 12 months or more eliminates your OPT eligibility entirely, so tracking cumulative CPT hours matters. Part-time CPT has no impact on OPT regardless of duration. If you're planning a 12-month full-time placement at a CRO, discuss the OPT trade-off with your DSO before accepting, since most CTA roles that lead to H-1B sponsorship rely on OPT as the bridge authorization.
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