H-1B Visa Clinical Trial Associate Jobs
Clinical Trial Associate roles sit squarely within H-1B visa specialty occupation territory, requiring a bachelor's degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or a related field. Sponsors file a Labor Condition Application with DOL before petitioning USCIS, and CROs, pharma companies, and academic medical centers are among the most active H-1B visa filers in this space.
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INTRODUCTION
Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
ORGANIZATION:
Pediatric Neurology
JOB SUMMARY:
Are you looking for research experience before applying to Graduate, Medical or Nursing School? If so, please consider working with us on NIH-funded studies on sickle cell disease and youth with type 1 diabetes.
The Jordan lab in the Department of Pediatrics at VUMC is looking to fill an opening for a full-time paid position. If you are interested in children’s health and looking for ways to better prepare for graduate, medical or nursing school, then consider becoming part of a collaborative clinical research team under the supervision of Dr. Lori Jordan at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Division of Pediatric Neurology.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology or a Health-related field
- Experience working with children, teens, and families
- Must be someone who is approachable and personable
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CRITERIA:
- Experience using statistical and survey software (e.g. Microsoft Excel, SPSS, REDCap)
- Experience with human subjects research and pediatric patient populations
- This role is designed as a two-year position, with the possibility of extension based on mutual interest and organizational needs
This position will work on site at the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and will work Monday-Friday, traditional daytime business hours; however research activities hours may occur beyond traditional business hours, so flexibility is a must.
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Dr. Jordan’s multidisciplinary clinical research program focuses on improving pediatric stroke outcomes, stroke prevention, sickle cell disease, and studies of brain injury and cognitive function in children with chronic conditions such as congenital heart defects and type I diabetes. Dr. Jordan’s team uses advanced neuroimaging studies to identify children and young adults at highest risk of stroke or subtle brain injury related to sickle cell disease. Dr. Jordan co-leads clinical trials for stroke prevention in children with sickle cell disease in Nigeria. In addition, Dr. Jordan and the Vanderbilt team enroll children in national and international pediatric stroke studies.
- Assesses patient eligibility and recruits participants for approved studies (20%)
- Knowledgeable of protocols in order to determine specific criteria for eligibility or exclusion.
- Ensures participant consent/assent forms are completed.
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Reviews medical records to determine eligibility status.
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Enters study participant data and follows study protocols (50%).
- Records all participant data essential to the study into REDCap databases.
- Follows study protocols for data collection and participant contact.
- Reports all adverse events according to VUMC and protocol guidelines.
- Creates REDCap reports as needed.
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Assists with monitoring compliance with protocol and regulations.
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Ensures deadlines are met for study (20%)
- Checks clinic schedules for upcoming data collection
- Coordinates with clinic staff to ensure that data collection does not disrupt clinic flow.
- Prepares study materials for mailing (e.g., study binders, retention items).
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Attends weekly lab meetings and provides updates on participant’s status.
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Escorts participants to study MRIs (20%)
- Calls or sends reminders for study MRIs.
- Sends MRI screening forms to participants.
- schedules or reschedules study MRIs.
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance.
Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement.
Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements.
Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.
CORE CAPABILITIES:
Supporting Colleagues:
- Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.
- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.
- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner.
Delivering Excellent Services:
- Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.
- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner.
- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support.
Ensuring High Quality:
- Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.
- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond.
- Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department.
Managing Resources Effectively:
- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service.
- Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources.
- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error.
Fostering Innovation:
- Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.
- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action.
- Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
Responsibilities:
CERTIFICATIONS:
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Relevant Work Experience
EXPERIENCE LEVEL:
Less than 1 year
Education:
Associate's
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.
See all 1,189+ H-1B Visa Clinical Trial Associate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Clinical Trial Associate
Verify your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to the Clinical Trial Associate position. A biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or nursing degree strengthens your petition. A general business degree paired with no clinical coursework can trigger an RFE.
Target CROs and sponsor-ready pharma employers
Contract research organizations and mid-to-large pharma companies file H-1Bs for CTA roles far more consistently than hospitals or small biotech startups. Search Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified H-1B LCA filing history for this specific occupation.
Check prevailing wage tiers before negotiating offers
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV prevailing wages for your metro area before accepting an offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the applicable level, so knowing the tiers protects you from underpaid petitions.
Get your GCP and IATA certifications documented early
Good Clinical Practice certification and, if your role involves investigational product shipping, IATA dangerous goods training are standard CTA credentials. Having current certificates from an accredited provider on hand speeds up employer petition preparation and strengthens the specialty occupation argument.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment if you're on OPT
If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT to H-1B sponsorship and your role qualifies for STEM OPT, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm enrollment status before accepting an offer, since unenrolled employers can't extend your work authorization during the cap-gap period.
Negotiate a premium processing clause into your offer
Standard H-1B adjudication can run several months. Ask your employer to include premium processing in the offer letter before you sign. USCIS processes premium petitions within 15 business days, which matters if your OPT or current status has a hard expiration date.
H-1B Visa Clinical Trial Associate: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Trial Associate role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. CTA positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in life sciences, pharmacy, nursing, or a directly related field, which satisfies USCIS's specialty occupation definition. Employers document this through the job description and LCA. Roles at CROs that require regulatory knowledge, protocol management, and GCP compliance consistently meet the standard, though USCIS may issue an RFE if the degree-to-role connection isn't clearly articulated.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Clinical Trial Associate jobs?
Contract research organizations are the largest sponsoring category for CTA roles, followed by mid-to-large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and academic medical centers with active clinical research programs. Smaller biotech startups and independent site management organizations sponsor less frequently because of the administrative overhead involved. You can browse verified H-1B-sponsoring employers for this role on Migrate Mate, which filters listings by DOL Labor Condition Application filing history.
Can I change employers mid-H-1B if I get a better CTA offer?
Yes. H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer once they file a non-frivolous H-1B transfer petition on your behalf, as long as your current H-1B has been approved for at least 180 days. You don't have to wait for the transfer to be approved before switching. Your new employer still needs to file a fresh LCA with DOL and submit the I-129 to USCIS before your start date.
How does the H-1B cap and lottery affect Clinical Trial Associate applicants?
Most CTA roles at CROs, pharma companies, and private biotech are subject to the annual H-1B cap of 65,000 regular slots plus 20,000 master's cap exemptions. USCIS runs the lottery in March each year for October 1 start dates. Academic medical centers and nonprofit research institutions may be cap-exempt, meaning they can file year-round without waiting for the lottery. Confirm cap-exempt status with any employer before assuming a guaranteed filing window.
What documentation should I prepare before a CTA employer starts the H-1B petition?
You'll need certified academic transcripts, your diploma, a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., current GCP certification, and any other role-relevant certifications such as IATA or therapeutic area training. Your employer's attorney will also need your passport, I-94, and any prior immigration approvals. Having these organized before the LCA filing begins can shorten the overall petition timeline by several weeks.