OPT Clinical Research Nurse Jobs
Clinical Research Nurse jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with nursing or clinical science degrees. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT extension eligibility when tied to clinical research science. Employers in academic medical centers, pharma, and CROs regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this specialty.
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Get Access To All JobsNumber of Vacancies 1
Location McAllen, Texas
Department School of Medicine / MDOISU Oncology
FTE 1.0
FLSA Exempt
Scope of Job
To assist with managing clinical research projects for Principal Investigators (PI) by gathering patient data via methods specified in the study protocol. To provide complex nursing administrative duties in support of the study to ensure compliance with regulations.
Description of Duties
- Identifies and recruits clinical research subjects; monitors enrollment goals and modifies recruitment strategies, as necessary; mentors all clinical research personnel regarding enrollment/recruitment.
- Coordinates, implements, and evaluates clinical research trials, studies, and projects.
- Provides direction in the development of investigator-initiated research protocols.
- May assist in writing research grants or articles for publications in journals.
- Attends and participates in Investigator meetings.
- Performs participant evaluations, administers medications, and research instruments.
- Participates in protocol initiation visits.
- Plans and designs source documentation for protocol.
- Develops assessment tool per protocol to use in clinical research; and educates research team and hospital personnel how to operate assessment tool as allowed per medical practice.
- Administers study drug per protocol.
- Maintains accurate source documentation and appropriate forms as per protocol including participant records, drug documentation, reconciling study drug accountability; monitors documentation for quality and accuracy.
- Conducts reviews of ongoing studies and oversees quality assurance on ongoing protocols; maintains a productive working relationship with the study monitor.
- Precepts new clinical research staff and educates research staff regarding scientific aspects of studies.
- Elicits relevant data from sources outside of the hospital.
- Assists PI in budget development; may monitor study accounts.
- Assists in processing and shipping lab specimens efficiently and cost effectively.
- Maintains supply inventory and equipment; ensures return of test article/clinical supplies; maintains regulatory standards.
- Monitors participant’s labs and notifies the PI of laboratory findings.
- Serves as a role model and resource for the clinical research staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision Received
General supervision from assigned supervisor.
Supervision Given
Direct supervision of assigned staff.
Required Education
Associate degree in Nursing from an accredited university.
Preferred Education
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing from an accredited university.
Licenses/Certifications
Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure from the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners. Research Certification through The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or eligible to test.
Required Experience
Three (3) years of experience in a relevant specialty clinical research area performing related duties.
Preferred Experience
Experience obtained in a healthcare setting.
Equipment
Use of standard medical/office/research equipment.
Working Conditions
Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Healthcare/research environment; some travel and weekend work may be required. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
As part of their essential duties, employees in these roles are expected to maintain a consistent, in-person presence on campus at their assigned locations. Limited exceptions may apply for positions that are approved as hybrid or fully remote in accordance with UTRGV policies.
Other
Exceptional planning, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders. Strong project management skills. Demonstrates leadership ability in mentoring others. Effectively prioritizes tasks. Demonstrated ability to work with multifunctional team to achieve project milestones.
Physical Capabilities
N/A
Employment Category Full-Time
Minimum Salary Commensurate with Experience
Posted Salary Commensurate with Experience
Position Available Date 12/07/2026
Grant Funded Position Yes
If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date 05/31/2029
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dear Applicant,
Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:
Date of Birth
Social Security Number
Gender
Ethnicity/Race
Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (956)665-8880 and/or careers@utrgv.edu.
Additional Information
UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.
All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of Human Resources.
Number of Vacancies 1
Location McAllen, Texas
Department School of Medicine / MDOISU Oncology
FTE 1.0
FLSA Exempt
Scope of Job
To assist with managing clinical research projects for Principal Investigators (PI) by gathering patient data via methods specified in the study protocol. To provide complex nursing administrative duties in support of the study to ensure compliance with regulations.
Description of Duties
- Identifies and recruits clinical research subjects; monitors enrollment goals and modifies recruitment strategies, as necessary; mentors all clinical research personnel regarding enrollment/recruitment.
- Coordinates, implements, and evaluates clinical research trials, studies, and projects.
- Provides direction in the development of investigator-initiated research protocols.
- May assist in writing research grants or articles for publications in journals.
- Attends and participates in Investigator meetings.
- Performs participant evaluations, administers medications, and research instruments.
- Participates in protocol initiation visits.
- Plans and designs source documentation for protocol.
- Develops assessment tool per protocol to use in clinical research; and educates research team and hospital personnel how to operate assessment tool as allowed per medical practice.
- Administers study drug per protocol.
- Maintains accurate source documentation and appropriate forms as per protocol including participant records, drug documentation, reconciling study drug accountability; monitors documentation for quality and accuracy.
- Conducts reviews of ongoing studies and oversees quality assurance on ongoing protocols; maintains a productive working relationship with the study monitor.
- Precepts new clinical research staff and educates research staff regarding scientific aspects of studies.
- Elicits relevant data from sources outside of the hospital.
- Assists PI in budget development; may monitor study accounts.
- Assists in processing and shipping lab specimens efficiently and cost effectively.
- Maintains supply inventory and equipment; ensures return of test article/clinical supplies; maintains regulatory standards.
- Monitors participant’s labs and notifies the PI of laboratory findings.
- Serves as a role model and resource for the clinical research staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision Received
General supervision from assigned supervisor.
Supervision Given
Direct supervision of assigned staff.
Required Education
Associate degree in Nursing from an accredited university.
Preferred Education
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing from an accredited university.
Licenses/Certifications
Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure from the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners. Research Certification through The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or eligible to test.
Required Experience
Three (3) years of experience in a relevant specialty clinical research area performing related duties.
Preferred Experience
Experience obtained in a healthcare setting.
Equipment
Use of standard medical/office/research equipment.
Working Conditions
Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Healthcare/research environment; some travel and weekend work may be required. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
As part of their essential duties, employees in these roles are expected to maintain a consistent, in-person presence on campus at their assigned locations. Limited exceptions may apply for positions that are approved as hybrid or fully remote in accordance with UTRGV policies.
Other
Exceptional planning, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders. Strong project management skills. Demonstrates leadership ability in mentoring others. Effectively prioritizes tasks. Demonstrated ability to work with multifunctional team to achieve project milestones.
Physical Capabilities
N/A
Employment Category Full-Time
Minimum Salary Commensurate with Experience
Posted Salary Commensurate with Experience
Position Available Date 12/07/2026
Grant Funded Position Yes
If Yes, Provide Grant Expiration Date 05/31/2029
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dear Applicant,
Human Resources will not be held responsible for redacting any confidential information from the documents you attach with your application. The confidential information includes the following:
Date of Birth
Social Security Number
Gender
Ethnicity/Race
Please make sure that you omit this information prior to submission. We are advising that Human Resources will be forwarding your application to the department as per your submission.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (956)665-8880 and/or careers@utrgv.edu.
Additional Information
UTRGV is a distributed location institution and working location is subject to change based on need.
All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Substitutions to the above requirements must have prior approval from the VP of Human Resources.
See all 545+ OPT Clinical Research Nurse Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Clinical Research Nurse Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Research Nurse
Target academic medical centers and CROs first
Academic hospitals and contract research organizations hire clinical research nurses regularly and have established visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers are far more likely to have immigration counsel on retainer and experience processing H-1B petitions for nursing roles.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Clinical Research Nurse roles may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in nursing science, biological sciences, or a related STEM field. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles that list STEM OPT as preferred.
Obtain your RN license before your OPT start date
Most clinical research nurse positions require an active RN license as a baseline requirement. NCLEX timelines can run four to eight weeks, so schedule the exam early enough that your license is active when OPT begins.
Highlight clinical trial protocol experience explicitly
Employers sponsoring visas for this role need to justify specialty occupation status. Emphasize experience with ICH-GCP guidelines, protocol adherence, adverse event reporting, and IRB documentation to strengthen both your application and any future H-1B petition.
Ask about sponsorship policy before the final interview round
Raise visa sponsorship early in the process, ideally after a recruiter screening call. Framing it as a logistics question rather than a negotiation point avoids surprises late in hiring and filters out employers without sponsorship capacity.
Get GCP certification to strengthen your candidacy
A current Good Clinical Practice certification signals readiness to work on regulated trials immediately. It takes one to two days to complete, costs little, and gives sponsoring employers one less reason to hesitate on an OPT hire over a domestic candidate.
Clinical Research Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as clinical research nurses in the United States?
Yes, as long as your OPT is authorized in a field related to your degree. Clinical research nursing typically aligns with nursing science, biological sciences, or public health programs. You must also hold an active RN license in the state where you work. Your employer does not need to file any immigration petition during standard OPT, but you must track your authorized employment period carefully.
Do clinical research nurse roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree's CIP code rather than the job title itself. If your degree is in nursing science, clinical laboratory science, or another STEM-designated field, you may be eligible for the 24-month extension. Confirm your CIP code with your designated school official before assuming eligibility. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify to participate in the STEM OPT extension program.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for clinical research nurses?
Academic medical centers, large pharmaceutical companies, and established contract research organizations are the most consistent sponsors for this role. These organizations run ongoing clinical trials, have legal infrastructure for immigration petitions, and understand the specialty occupation argument for research nursing. Smaller clinical sites and community hospitals sponsor far less frequently. Browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to identify which organizations are actively hiring OPT workers in this field.
Does a clinical research nurse role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but the classification is not automatic. USCIS evaluates whether the specific position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty. A clinical research nurse role tied to protocol management, regulatory compliance, and data integrity in a formal research setting has a stronger specialty occupation argument than a general staff nursing role. Detailed job descriptions emphasizing research responsibilities, GCP requirements, and scientific judgment substantially support the petition.
How much time do I have on OPT to find a clinical research nurse job?
Standard post-completion OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, with a 60-day grace period after your program ends to find employment before OPT begins. If you are unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days during OPT, you fall out of status. Given hiring timelines for clinical research roles, including credentialing and onboarding, beginning your search well before graduation is strongly advisable. Migrate Mate lists OPT-friendly clinical research nurse openings to help you move quickly.