H-1B Visa Clinical Research Associate Jobs
Clinical Research Associate roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in life sciences, nursing, or a related field. Sponsors file a Labor Condition Application with DOL before petitioning USCIS, and most CRA positions fall under SOC code 19-1042.
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INTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) – Animal Health, you will be a key member of the global Research & Development organization, supporting the execution of clinical studies for our innovative Farm Animal and Pet Health products. You will be responsible for ensuring studies are conducted to the highest standards, that data is captured accurately, and that we maintain compliance with all global regulatory guidelines. This role is critical to advancing Elanco’s pipeline and bringing new solutions to our customers.
- Perform and manage all clinical monitoring activities, including site qualification, initiation, routine monitoring, and close-out visits to ensure studies adhere to protocol, GCP/VICH guidelines, and Elanco standards.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for clinical trial sites (CROs and internal), building strong relationships and providing oversight to ensure study success and data integrity.
- Conduct thorough data review and source data verification, working with site personnel to resolve data queries promptly and ensure the accuracy and completeness of all study documentation.
- Proactively identify and mitigate site-level risks, monitor for and report protocol deviations or safety events (AEs/SAEs), and support internal QA reviews or regulatory inspections.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners (Clinical Development, Data Management, Biostatistics, Regulatory Affairs, QA) to ensure seamless project delivery and support the development of regulatory submission files.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor's Degree in a life science or health-related field or High School Diploma with 8 years of experience.
- Experience: A minimum of 2 years of experience in clinical research, with specific experience in a monitoring or site management role.
- Top 2 skills: Demonstrated proficiency with clinical trial processes (GCP/VICH), data management systems (EDC), and collaborative tools (e.g., Veeva, MS Office). Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in a relevant scientific field.
- Experience in the animal health industry.
- Professional certification (e.g., CCRA, CCRC).
- Experience with both farm animal and companion animal studies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Travel: Up to 50% (US and International).
- Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Clinical Research Associate
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
Your degree field must directly relate to clinical research. A biology, pharmacy, or nursing degree maps cleanly. A general business degree usually won't. Check the O*NET profile for CRA education benchmarks before applying.
Target CROs and pharma over hospitals
Contract research organizations and pharmaceutical companies file H-1B petitions routinely. Academic medical centers and community hospitals sponsor far less often. Filter your search to employers with documented LCA filing history in clinical research occupations.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified H-1B sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to see which employers have filed Labor Condition Applications for CRA roles. DOL disclosure data shows actual filing history, so you target companies that have already sponsored this position, not ones that might.
Negotiate offer timing around the April cap
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed in April for an October 1 start. If you're interviewing in summer or fall, ask whether the employer will file in the next registration window or sponsor a cap-exempt position through a qualifying research institution.
Confirm GCP certification before the LCA is filed
Most CRA job descriptions require current Good Clinical Practice certification. USCIS specialty occupation determinations weigh whether the employer's actual requirements align with your credentials. A lapsed or missing GCP cert can complicate the petition.
Clarify remote work arrangements with your employer
USCIS and DOL require the LCA to list the worksite location. If your CRA role involves multi-site travel or hybrid remote work, your employer needs to file amended LCAs for each worksite state. Confirm this before signing your offer letter.
H-1B Visa Clinical Research Associate: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Research Associate role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. USCIS treats CRA positions as specialty occupations when the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as life sciences, pharmacy, or nursing. Roles where any bachelor's degree is accepted regardless of field are harder to qualify. The stronger the employer's stated degree requirement, the cleaner the petition.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Clinical Research Associates?
Contract research organizations, large pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology firms are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for CRA roles. Academic medical centers affiliated with research universities can also qualify as cap-exempt employers, which allows petitions outside the annual lottery. Use Migrate Mate to search employers with verified LCA filing history for clinical research positions.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new CRA employer mid-study?
Yes. H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed, without waiting for approval, provided your original petition has been approved for at least 180 days. Your new employer must file a new LCA and I-129 before your last day with the current sponsor.
How does multi-site travel affect my H-1B as a CRA?
DOL requires a certified LCA for each location where you perform work for more than a short-term basis. CRAs who monitor trials across multiple states create an LCA compliance burden for employers. Your employer must either file a blanket LCA covering multiple worksites or amend filings as assignments change. Confirm their process before accepting the offer.
Does a contract or temp CRA role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
It can, but the sponsoring entity must be your actual employer of record, not the end client. Staffing arrangements where the CRO or staffing firm is the H-1B petitioner are permissible if that firm controls your day-to-day work. Placements where the pharmaceutical client controls your work raise co-employment issues USCIS scrutinizes closely.