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 JobsABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
COVERING THE NJ/PA AREA
Advance AbbVie's pipeline by striving for excellence in clinical research, turning science into medicine for our patients and leveraging new advanced capabilities to drive industry leading performance. Partners with the investigator and site staff for meaningful and effective engagements positioning AbbVie as the choice in clinical trials. Focus on site clinical research that ensures appropriate conduct of the trial while driving improvement in data integrity, compliance, overall study performance and customer experience.
Responsibilities
- Considered as the primary point of contact for the investigative site. High level of competency or experience in providing contextual information on the clinical trials, connects stakeholder to the investigative sites and strengthens AbbVie’s positioning.
- Aligns, trains and motivates the site staff and principal investigator on the goals of the clinical trial program, protocol and patient treatment principles for the trial ensuring a trusted partnership.
- Conducts site evaluation, site training, routine, and site closure monitoring activities with compliance to the protocol and monitoring plans, in accordance with applicable regulations, Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), ICH Guidelines, AbbVie Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and quality standards, ensuring safety and protection of study subjects.
- Advanced understanding of site engagement and ability to customize site engagement strategy for assigned study (ies). Gather local/site insights and utilize site engagement tools such as the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, to report/track progress and measure impact of that strategy.
- Advanced level of competency connecting the study protocol, scientific principles and clinical trial requirements to the day-to-day clinical trial execution activities. Evaluate and ensure effective recruitment and retention techniques/plans based on the patient disease journey. Develop solid knowledge of therapeutic area, asset and clinical landscape / patient journey to enable successful patient recruitment and overall protocol compliance.
- Possesses experienced level of competency to mentor and train less experienced CRAs on various aspects of work and provides input into their development. May participate in global/local task forces and initiatives. Responsible for activities as assigned by manager.
- Responsible for continuous risk-assessment proactively, and in collaboration with Central Monitoring team, monitor activities conducted by clinical sites to detect early overall study performance or patient safety issues.
- Advanced ability to think critically to resolve site risk signals while having robust understanding of site processes to drive study execution. Ensures preventative and corrective action plans are put into place, as needed, to mitigate risk and promote compliance using a customer centric approach.
- Identifies, evaluates and recommends new/potential investigators/sites on an ongoing basis. Potential sites may be identified through networking or internal AbbVie requests to assist in the placement of planned clinical studies with qualified investigators.
- Ensures quality of data submitted from study sites and assures timely submission of data, including appropriate reporting and follow-up for all safety events by site personnel. Ensures audit and regulatory inspection readiness at assigned clinical site at all times. Manages investigator payments as per executed contract obligations, as applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Appropriate tertiary qualification in health related disciplines (Medical, Scientific, Nursing) preferred.
- Minimum of 1 year of clinically related experience, of which a period of 6 months is required in clinical research monitoring of investigational drug or device trials. Familiar with risk‐based monitoring approach, onsite and offsite monitoring.
- Knowledge of appropriate therapeutic area indications is preferred with the ability to understand and apply scientific concepts as they relate to the conduct of clinical trials.
- Advanced knowledge on existing and emerging local regulatory and legal requirements, ICH/GCP Guidelines and applicable policies.
- Demonstrate strong cross-functional collaboration skills among internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate strong planning and organizational skills and the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a dynamic environment with competing projects and deadlines.
- Advanced ability to leverage technology, tools and resources to provide customer centric support based on the health of the site.
- Strong interpersonal skills with excellent written, verbal, active listening and presentation skills, with ability to establish and leverage site relationships and trusted partnerships through engagement, motivation, and training.
- Ability to use functional expertise with appropriate guidance, leverage critical thinking skills and apply good judgement to address clinical site issues.
- Acts with integrity in accordance with AbbVie code of business conduct and leadership values. Self-motivated individual focused on delivering timely and quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
ABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
COVERING THE NJ/PA AREA
Advance AbbVie's pipeline by striving for excellence in clinical research, turning science into medicine for our patients and leveraging new advanced capabilities to drive industry leading performance. Partners with the investigator and site staff for meaningful and effective engagements positioning AbbVie as the choice in clinical trials. Focus on site clinical research that ensures appropriate conduct of the trial while driving improvement in data integrity, compliance, overall study performance and customer experience.
Responsibilities
- Considered as the primary point of contact for the investigative site. High level of competency or experience in providing contextual information on the clinical trials, connects stakeholder to the investigative sites and strengthens AbbVie’s positioning.
- Aligns, trains and motivates the site staff and principal investigator on the goals of the clinical trial program, protocol and patient treatment principles for the trial ensuring a trusted partnership.
- Conducts site evaluation, site training, routine, and site closure monitoring activities with compliance to the protocol and monitoring plans, in accordance with applicable regulations, Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), ICH Guidelines, AbbVie Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and quality standards, ensuring safety and protection of study subjects.
- Advanced understanding of site engagement and ability to customize site engagement strategy for assigned study (ies). Gather local/site insights and utilize site engagement tools such as the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, to report/track progress and measure impact of that strategy.
- Advanced level of competency connecting the study protocol, scientific principles and clinical trial requirements to the day-to-day clinical trial execution activities. Evaluate and ensure effective recruitment and retention techniques/plans based on the patient disease journey. Develop solid knowledge of therapeutic area, asset and clinical landscape / patient journey to enable successful patient recruitment and overall protocol compliance.
- Possesses experienced level of competency to mentor and train less experienced CRAs on various aspects of work and provides input into their development. May participate in global/local task forces and initiatives. Responsible for activities as assigned by manager.
- Responsible for continuous risk-assessment proactively, and in collaboration with Central Monitoring team, monitor activities conducted by clinical sites to detect early overall study performance or patient safety issues.
- Advanced ability to think critically to resolve site risk signals while having robust understanding of site processes to drive study execution. Ensures preventative and corrective action plans are put into place, as needed, to mitigate risk and promote compliance using a customer centric approach.
- Identifies, evaluates and recommends new/potential investigators/sites on an ongoing basis. Potential sites may be identified through networking or internal AbbVie requests to assist in the placement of planned clinical studies with qualified investigators.
- Ensures quality of data submitted from study sites and assures timely submission of data, including appropriate reporting and follow-up for all safety events by site personnel. Ensures audit and regulatory inspection readiness at assigned clinical site at all times. Manages investigator payments as per executed contract obligations, as applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Appropriate tertiary qualification in health related disciplines (Medical, Scientific, Nursing) preferred.
- Minimum of 1 year of clinically related experience, of which a period of 6 months is required in clinical research monitoring of investigational drug or device trials. Familiar with risk‐based monitoring approach, onsite and offsite monitoring.
- Knowledge of appropriate therapeutic area indications is preferred with the ability to understand and apply scientific concepts as they relate to the conduct of clinical trials.
- Advanced knowledge on existing and emerging local regulatory and legal requirements, ICH/GCP Guidelines and applicable policies.
- Demonstrate strong cross-functional collaboration skills among internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate strong planning and organizational skills and the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a dynamic environment with competing projects and deadlines.
- Advanced ability to leverage technology, tools and resources to provide customer centric support based on the health of the site.
- Strong interpersonal skills with excellent written, verbal, active listening and presentation skills, with ability to establish and leverage site relationships and trusted partnerships through engagement, motivation, and training.
- Ability to use functional expertise with appropriate guidance, leverage critical thinking skills and apply good judgement to address clinical site issues.
- Acts with integrity in accordance with AbbVie code of business conduct and leadership values. Self-motivated individual focused on delivering timely and quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
See all 3,331+ OPT Clinical Research Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Research Jobs.
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.