Lead Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs
Lead Clinical Research Coordinator jobs are open across academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations, covering specializations in oncology, cardiology, and neurology, at every level from coordinator II to senior lead. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Summary
The Newman Lab studies how signaling metabolites regulate mechanisms of aging and applies these to solve important clinical problems. We seek a motivated, creative scientist to carry out projects that span biochemistry to multiomics to clinical trials in a vibrant atmosphere with a physician-scientist mentor.
Position Description
We seek a clinical/translational research-focused postdoctoral researcher to participate in the ongoing TAKEOFF multicenter randomized controlled trial (NCT06645847). TAKEOFF, Targeting Aging with a Ketone Ester for Function in Frailty, is testing the translatability to older adults of molecular mechanisms by which ketone bodies modulate aging pathways. The postdoc will participate in day-to-day study activities from consent to biospecimen processing, helping launch a cognition-focused ancillary study, and leading creative efforts to analyze multiomic data and biospecimens. The researcher will work closely with the TAKEOFF team of experienced clinical research associates and research nurses, along with other Clinical Research Core staff. A strong background in clinical research and at least basic bench science experience is preferred, though the position can provide opportunities for training in clinical research for motivated applicants. There is the opportunity for mentored participation in the Gerontological Society of America’s Geroscience Education and Training curriculum. This work is deeply collaborative with other labs at Buck, core facilities, the Newman Lab bench science team, and external clinical research collaborators.
Qualifications
Required
- MD and/or PhD in Epidemiology, Clinical Research, Translational Science, Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, or related fields
- Strong communication skills and works well in collaborative teams
- Able to successfully manage an independent research project
- Comfortable with self-directed learning and able to acquire new skill areas
- Deep interest in the science of aging with particular focus on identifying interventions and therapeutics to extend human healthspan
- Public outreach and speaking skills
- Capability to process, curate, and integrate in-house and public domain data from various independent platforms
- Experience in writing scientific papers and grant/fellowship applications
- Strong clinical research experience including study design, regulatory approvals, leading participant visits, and managing logistics
- Basic bench laboratory skills such as pipetting, cell counting, working with DNA and RNA
- Background in neuroscience or cognition-focused clinical studies
- Bioinformatics training or prior experience with proteomics analyses
- Spanish language fluency
- Exciting, collaborative work environment at the forefront of science using state-of-the-art techniques.
- The 2027 salary range for a postdoc at the Buck is $75,920 to $83,822, commensurate with postdoc level & experience.
- Generous benefits package including health insurance, paid parental leave, vacation/sick and 401(k) with 5% employer match.
- This position does not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Candidates must reside locally (within reasonable commuting distance) on their first day of work.
Our success will ultimately change healthcare. At the Buck, we aim to end the threat of age-related diseases for this and future generations by bringing together the most capable and passionate scientists from a broad range of disciplines to identify and impede how we age. We are an independent, non-profit institution located in Marin County, CA, with the goal of increasing human healthspan, or the healthy years of life. Globally recognized as the pioneer and leader in efforts to target aging—the number one risk factor for diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, macular degeneration, heart disease, and diabetes—the Buck seeks to help people live better longer. We are an equal-opportunity employer and strive to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background is welcomed, valued, and supported. Candidates who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Please submit the following required documents: (1) your CV, (2) a brief statement of your research interests and goals, (3) contact information for 2-3 references who are familiar with your scientific work, and (4) a brief letter of support from your doctoral, residency/fellowship, or prior postdoctoral mentor. I
For more information, contact John Newman, MD, PhD: jnewman@buckinstitute.org.
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead clinical research coordinator jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field
- Three or more years of clinical research coordination experience under GCP guidelines
- Experience with electronic data capture systems such as REDCap, Medidata Rave, or similar platforms
- CCRC or CCRP certification from ACRP or SOCRA preferred or required
- Demonstrated experience managing IRB submissions, amendments, and continuing reviews
- Ability to mentor junior coordinators and oversee protocol compliance across active studies
Tips for Your Lead Clinical Research Coordinator Job Search
Tailor your resume to protocol language
Hiring managers scan for protocol-specific terms like ICH-GCP compliance, IRB submission workflows, and adverse event reporting. Pull language directly from each job posting and mirror it in your resume so it clears applicant tracking systems and reads as hands-on experience.
Highlight regulatory and sponsor-facing experience
Lead roles are distinct from coordinator roles because they own sponsor communications and FDA audit readiness. Quantify the number of active protocols you managed simultaneously and name the sponsor types you worked with, whether pharma, biotech, or government-funded trials.
Get your CCRC or CCRP certification current
Many lead postings list CCRC or CCRP certification as a preferred or required credential. If yours is lapsed or pending, note your exam date in your resume so reviewers know you're in process rather than overlooking the requirement entirely.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead clinical research coordinator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare protocol deviation scenarios for interviews
Interviewers at the lead level almost always ask how you handled a protocol deviation or a serious adverse event. Prepare two or three concrete examples with the corrective action you took, the sponsor or IRB outcome, and what you changed in your site procedures afterward.
Negotiate for supervisory scope, not just title
Lead coordinator offers vary widely in how much team oversight is actually included. Before accepting, clarify how many coordinators you'll mentor, whether you have input on hiring, and if the role includes budget or contract review authority, since those details affect your next career step.
Lead Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead clinical research coordinators?
The most active employers for lead clinical research coordinators right now are Folio Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Buck Institute, and the most openings are in Texas, California, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Academic medical centers and contract research organizations tend to post the highest volume of lead-level openings year-round.
How many lead clinical research coordinator jobs are remote?
About 29% of lead clinical research coordinator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies significantly by sponsor type and study phase. Roles focused on data management, regulatory submissions, and sponsor communication are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, while positions requiring direct patient contact remain largely on-site.
How do you become a lead clinical research coordinator?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or health-related field, then work as a clinical research coordinator for several years under GCP-compliant trials. Pursue CCRC or CCRP certification to demonstrate regulatory competency. Take on protocol ownership, mentor junior coordinators, and seek experience with sponsor communications and FDA audit preparation, since those responsibilities define what distinguishes a lead role from a standard coordinator position.
Can you get hired as a lead clinical research coordinator with limited experience?
Moving directly into a lead role with little experience is difficult because most employers require hands-on protocol management and regulatory submission history. The most effective path is to build a strong coordinator record on complex or multi-site studies, obtain your CCRC or CCRP credential, and document specific examples where you took ownership beyond your formal job title, such as training new staff or managing a protocol deviation response.
What does the lead clinical research coordinator interview process look like?
Most hiring processes include an initial screening call with a recruiter or HR contact, followed by a technical interview with the principal investigator or research operations manager covering your protocol management experience and GCP knowledge. A final round often includes a panel with sponsor or compliance staff and may involve a scenario-based exercise around a protocol deviation or adverse event. References with direct knowledge of your regulatory work are typically required before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to lead clinical research coordinator jobs?
You can find and apply to lead clinical research coordinator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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