OPT Clinical Research Jobs
Clinical Research jobs on OPT typically fall under STEM-designated programs in life sciences, public health, or biomedical fields, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Most roles are full-time positions at hospitals, CROs, pharmaceutical companies, and research universities that regularly sponsor international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Stanford University’s Department of Dermatology is seeking an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator (ACRC) to perform administrative support duties related to the collection of clinical data and the coordination of clinical studies. This position is hybrid and requires at least 3 days in the office a week at the Redwood City Campus. In this role, the ACRC will work under the supervision of the principal investigator and the clinical research manager.
Interested candidates, please apply with your resume and a cover letter.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor’s degree with an educational background in medicine and/or scientific field (biological sciences, social sciences, etc.)
- Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of a project.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects and timelines at one time.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
- Proficiency in using computers, software, AI tools such as Claude Code/Cowork, and web-based applications in a previous administrative setting
Physical Requirements:
- Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat and use fine light/fine grasping.
- Occasionally sit, reach above shoulders, perform desk based computer tasks, use a telephone and write by hand, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
- Rarely kneel, crawl, climb ladders, grasp forcefully, sort and file paperwork or parts, rarely lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh 40 pounds or more.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or exposure to chemicals, blood, body fluid or tissues and risk of exposure to contagious diseases and infections. May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
Core Duties:
- Schedule and/or call subjects for appointments; contact participants with reminders or other requirements.
- Prepare, distribute, and process questionnaires.
- Perform clerical duties in the preparation of regulatory documents. Maintain all forms and documents, including consent forms and master subject logs. File all appropriate correspondence.
- Assist with the screening, recruiting, and obtaining consent of study participants. Review medical records and/or perform telephone or in-person interviews to gather data, as needed.
- Administer standard study questionnaires and tests, score test measurements and questionnaires, and code data for computer entry. Perform quantitative review of forms, tests, and other measurements for completeness and accuracy.
- Extract data from source documents for research studies as directed. Collect data and complete case report forms.
- Perform basic measurements and tests on patients according to protocol, such as obtaining vital signs and performing phlebotomy and EKG, after appropriate training/certification. Collect study specimens according to protocol.
- Prepare, process, and ship specimens/samples accurately under well-defined requirements.
- Order and maintain equipment and supplies.
- Process study compensation payments and thank you letters to subjects upon completion of trial activities. Assist with post-study activities, as needed.
Minimum Education and Experience
Two-year college degree and one year of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
General knowledge of medical terminology.
Certificates and Licenses Required
Working toward certification(s) to perform basic patient measurements and tests, such as phlebotomy and EKG.
Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's License, if applicable.
INTRODUCTION
Stanford University’s Department of Dermatology is seeking an Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator (ACRC) to perform administrative support duties related to the collection of clinical data and the coordination of clinical studies. This position is hybrid and requires at least 3 days in the office a week at the Redwood City Campus. In this role, the ACRC will work under the supervision of the principal investigator and the clinical research manager.
Interested candidates, please apply with your resume and a cover letter.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor’s degree with an educational background in medicine and/or scientific field (biological sciences, social sciences, etc.)
- Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of a project.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple projects and timelines at one time.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
- Proficiency in using computers, software, AI tools such as Claude Code/Cowork, and web-based applications in a previous administrative setting
Physical Requirements:
- Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat and use fine light/fine grasping.
- Occasionally sit, reach above shoulders, perform desk based computer tasks, use a telephone and write by hand, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
- Rarely kneel, crawl, climb ladders, grasp forcefully, sort and file paperwork or parts, rarely lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh 40 pounds or more.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or exposure to chemicals, blood, body fluid or tissues and risk of exposure to contagious diseases and infections. May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
Core Duties:
- Schedule and/or call subjects for appointments; contact participants with reminders or other requirements.
- Prepare, distribute, and process questionnaires.
- Perform clerical duties in the preparation of regulatory documents. Maintain all forms and documents, including consent forms and master subject logs. File all appropriate correspondence.
- Assist with the screening, recruiting, and obtaining consent of study participants. Review medical records and/or perform telephone or in-person interviews to gather data, as needed.
- Administer standard study questionnaires and tests, score test measurements and questionnaires, and code data for computer entry. Perform quantitative review of forms, tests, and other measurements for completeness and accuracy.
- Extract data from source documents for research studies as directed. Collect data and complete case report forms.
- Perform basic measurements and tests on patients according to protocol, such as obtaining vital signs and performing phlebotomy and EKG, after appropriate training/certification. Collect study specimens according to protocol.
- Prepare, process, and ship specimens/samples accurately under well-defined requirements.
- Order and maintain equipment and supplies.
- Process study compensation payments and thank you letters to subjects upon completion of trial activities. Assist with post-study activities, as needed.
Minimum Education and Experience
Two-year college degree and one year of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
General knowledge of medical terminology.
Certificates and Licenses Required
Working toward certification(s) to perform basic patient measurements and tests, such as phlebotomy and EKG.
Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's License, if applicable.
See all 1,520+ OPT Clinical Research Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Clinical Research
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers first
Focus your search on pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers. These employers hire at scale, have established immigration infrastructure, and are far more likely to support your OPT and future H-1B visa sponsorship than smaller clinical sites.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Clinical Research roles typically align with degrees in biology, public health, biomedical sciences, or health informatics. Verify your CIP code qualifies before applying, since the 24-month STEM extension is one of your strongest negotiating points with employers considering international candidates.
Lead with regulatory and protocol experience
Hiring managers in clinical research prioritize FDA regulations, GCP training, and protocol familiarity. Certifications like ACRP or SOCRA signal seriousness and reduce employer concerns about training investment, which matters when they are also weighing your OPT timeline.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
Bring up your OPT status early in conversations rather than waiting for the offer stage. Explaining that you have two to three years of authorized work time and are STEM-eligible removes uncertainty and signals that you have already thought through the logistics on their behalf.
Build relationships at research sites before applying
Many CRC and CRA positions fill through internal referrals. Volunteering, research assistant roles, or informational conversations with site coordinators during school can position you as a known candidate before a posting goes live, which helps significantly when OPT is a factor.
Understand the E-Verify requirement for STEM OPT
STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, a federal electronic employment verification system. Before accepting any offer, confirm the organization is E-Verify compliant. This requirement applies regardless of company size, and non-compliant employers cannot legally employ STEM OPT students.
Clinical Research OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Clinical Research Coordinator or CRA on OPT?
Yes. Clinical Research Coordinator and Clinical Research Associate roles qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization when the position is directly related to your field of study. Most CRC and CRA positions align with life sciences, public health, or biomedical degrees. If your degree is STEM-designated, you may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months.
Do clinical research employers typically sponsor OPT students for H-1B?
Large pharmaceutical companies, CROs like IQVIA, Covance, and PPD, and academic medical centers routinely sponsor H-1B visas for clinical research staff. Smaller community clinical sites and independent research practices are less consistent. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for employers who have sponsored OPT and H-1B candidates, which narrows your list significantly.
Does clinical research qualify as a STEM field for the OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree and its CIP code, not the job title itself. Degrees in biology, biomedical sciences, public health, health informatics, and related fields are typically STEM-designated. Clinical psychology, social work, and some health administration degrees are not. Check your program's CIP code against the official STEM OPT designated degree program list maintained by DHS before assuming you qualify.
What happens to my OPT if a clinical trial ends and I lose my position?
F-1 OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment, or 150 days if you have an approved STEM extension. If a contract or trial-based position ends, that unemployment period begins immediately. You can accept a new qualifying clinical research role to stop the clock. Document your employment periods carefully, since cumulative unemployment beyond the limit can result in loss of status.
Can I work as an independent contractor or on a per-site basis in clinical research on OPT?
OPT permits self-employment and contract work, but it must be in a qualifying role directly related to your degree, average at least 20 hours per week, and you must be actively engaged rather than receiving passive income. Per-site contract CRA work can qualify, but you should document each engagement carefully and consult your DSO to confirm each arrangement meets OPT compliance requirements.