OPT Clinical Research Assistant Jobs
Clinical Research Assistant jobs are well-suited to F-1 OPT students with degrees in biology, public health, nursing, or a related life science field. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization, and employers in academic medical centers and pharmaceutical companies frequently sponsor H-1B visas for strong performers.
Find OPT Clinical Research Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 758+ Clinical Research Assistant jobs
See all 758+ Clinical Research Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Clinical Research Assistant roles.
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 758+ OPT Clinical Research Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Research Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Research Assistant
Target employers with active clinical trial portfolios
Academic medical centers, contract research organizations, and large pharmaceutical companies run ongoing trials and hire research assistants regularly. These employers have established HR processes for OPT and are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visas than smaller clinics or private practices.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Clinical Research Assistant roles typically qualify under biology, public health, or biomedical science CIP codes. Verify your specific degree program appears on your school's STEM OPT-designated list before applying, so you can confidently tell employers you have 36 months of work authorization.
Get your GCP certification before you apply
Good Clinical Practice certification is a hiring standard across the industry. Completing it before submitting applications signals professional readiness, removes a common employer concern about onboarding time, and gives you a concrete credential to lead with in cover letters and interviews.
Address your OPT timeline early in the process
Hiring managers may not understand OPT authorization. Explain clearly that you're authorized to work immediately and that STEM extension provides a 24-month buffer before any H-1B decision is needed. Framing it this way reduces uncertainty and keeps the conversation focused on your qualifications.
Emphasize hands-on research experience from your coursework
Lab rotations, thesis research, and clinical practicum hours are directly relevant to this role. Quantify your contributions where possible: number of subjects enrolled, protocols managed, or data sets cleaned. Concrete research experience addresses the most common employer hesitation around hiring entry-level candidates.
Apply to roles explicitly listed as OPT-friendly or visa-sponsoring
Filtering for employers who already declare sponsorship willingness eliminates wasted applications and speeds up your job search significantly. Migrate Mate surfaces Clinical Research Assistant roles verified for OPT and H-1B sponsorship, which is especially valuable when your OPT timeline is tight.
Clinical Research Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Clinical Research Assistant jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Clinical Research Assistant roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you a total of 36 months of work authorization. Eligibility depends on your underlying degree, not the job title itself. Degrees in biology, public health, biomedical science, or nursing science are common qualifying fields. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How often do employers in clinical research sponsor H-1B visas?
H-1B sponsorship is common among larger employers in clinical research, particularly academic medical centers, contract research organizations like IQVIA and Covance, and pharmaceutical companies. Smaller site management organizations and community clinics sponsor far less frequently. Browsing open roles on Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for employers with a history of visa sponsorship, which saves significant time.
Does a Clinical Research Assistant role count as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Clinical Research Assistant positions generally qualify as specialty occupations when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific life science field. Roles involving protocol management, IRB coordination, or data integrity oversight tend to have the clearest case. Roles described as purely administrative with no degree requirement may face more scrutiny from USCIS during the H-1B petition process.
Can I work as a Clinical Research Assistant on OPT if my degree is in a non-clinical field like statistics or computer science?
Yes, provided the role is directly related to your field of study. A statistics degree supports roles focused on biostatistics, data management, or clinical data analysis within a research setting. You'll need to document the connection between your degree and the job duties when your employer files any future H-1B petition, so keep a clear record of how your work aligns with your academic training.
What should I do if a Clinical Research Assistant job posting doesn't mention visa sponsorship?
Silence on sponsorship doesn't mean a firm no. Many academic and pharmaceutical employers sponsor regularly but omit it from postings. During initial screening calls, frame the conversation around your immediate OPT work authorization and mention that STEM extension provides substantial runway before any H-1B decision is required. Asking directly whether the organization has sponsored before is a reasonable and professional approach.