OPT Clinical Research Coordinator Jobs
Clinical Research Coordinator roles are among the more OPT-friendly positions in healthcare and biotech. Most require a science-related bachelor's degree, which aligns well with STEM OPT extension eligibility. Sponsors typically include hospitals, academic medical centers, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies.
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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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Research Coordinator
Target STEM-designated programs
A CRC role under a STEM-classified degree field qualifies you for a 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can accurately represent your authorization timeline to employers.
Lead with your OPT timeline upfront
CRC hiring cycles move slowly. Mention your OPT end date early so hiring managers can assess fit before investing time in interviews. Employers who've sponsored before won't be surprised by the conversation.
Prioritize contract research organizations
CROs like ICON, Syneos, and Medpace hire CRCs at scale and have established immigration infrastructure. They're more accustomed to sponsoring international candidates than smaller academic or community hospital research teams.
Highlight GCP certification in applications
Good Clinical Practice certification signals you're job-ready without extensive onboarding. For employers weighing the administrative cost of OPT sponsorship, demonstrated clinical research competency reduces perceived hiring risk significantly.
Apply to federally funded research sites
Academic medical centers and NIH-funded research programs have more structured HR processes and legal resources. They're generally more experienced navigating work authorization requirements than private-practice or startup research settings.
Frame your international background as an asset
Many clinical trials require diverse patient recruitment and multilingual coordination. If you speak a language common among patient populations, make that explicit. It shifts the framing from 'sponsorship burden' to 'hiring advantage.'
Clinical Research Coordinator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Clinical Research Coordinator jobs typically sponsor OPT students?
Many do, particularly at CROs, academic medical centers, and pharmaceutical companies with dedicated HR and legal teams. Smaller community hospital research departments may be less experienced with work authorization. Migrate Mate filters for employers actively open to OPT candidates, so you can focus your search on sponsors rather than cold-applying broadly.
Does a Clinical Research Coordinator role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your underlying degree, not the job title. If your bachelor's or master's degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code, such as biology, public health, or biomedical science, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer, since the extension must be authorized before your initial OPT period expires.
What degree backgrounds are employers looking for in OPT CRC applicants?
Most CRC postings require a bachelor's degree in a life science field, with biology, public health, nursing, and psychology among the most commonly accepted. Some research-heavy roles at academic medical centers prefer candidates with clinical trial coursework or a master's degree. Employers are generally less concerned with the specific major than with whether the degree supports specialty occupation status.
Can I work as a Clinical Research Coordinator at a hospital on OPT?
Yes. Hospitals with active research programs regularly hire CRCs on OPT. The key distinction is whether the role sits within the hospital's research department rather than direct patient care, which has different licensing requirements. Most CRC positions are administrative and coordinative in nature, making them compatible with F-1 OPT work authorization.
How do I find Clinical Research Coordinator jobs that accept OPT students?
Standard job boards don't filter by sponsorship willingness, which means a lot of wasted applications. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces CRC roles from employers open to candidates on work authorization. You can browse by role type and see which positions are compatible with your OPT timeline.