OPT Clinical Trial Associate Jobs
Clinical Trial Associate jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in life sciences, public health, or biomedical fields. Most CTA roles qualify as STEM OPT-eligible, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in pharma, biotech, and CROs actively hire for this entry-level research operations role.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented individual to join our Adult Criminal Unit as a Trial Assistant. This position plays a vital role in supporting prosecutors throughout the criminal justice process by assisting with case preparation, evidence management, court proceedings, and trial coordination. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and a commitment to accuracy and professionalism. This position works closely with attorneys, law enforcement, court personnel, victims, witnesses, and other criminal justice partners to support the efficient and effective prosecution of criminal cases.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Conducts legal and factual research into statutes, cases, and records using a variety of legal resources; verifies citations in legal memoranda and briefs; summarizes legal documents.
- Provides administrative assistance for legal proceedings; procures and prepares evidence, and assists with presentation of evidence utilizing a variety of technologies; drafts/compiles legal documents; assists in preparing case files, jury trials, hearings and post-trial dispositions; maintains calendars and lists for hearings, dockets, and courts; completes general correspondence and assists in courtroom proceedings by transcribing court oral orders; copies, files, and distributes documents.
- Assists with investigation and review of cases; may assist attorneys in analyzing witness testimony by corroborating testimony through researching documentation, depositions, and court records.
- Prepares jury instructions, coordinates witness arrangements, prepares exhibits, copies audio/video taped evidence, delivers and/or retrieves equipment to/from courtroom; responds to inquiries and provides information; notifies/informs parties, witnesses, and attorneys of status of case and explains various legal programs, policies, procedures, and ramifications.
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Office Administration, or related field and one-year legal support, including legal research support experience are required.
- May require KS/MO driver’s license, depending on department or agency.
- Experience may be substituted for degree. Education may be substituted for experience.
Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions. Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.
PREFERRED JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Professional Paralegal Certification is preferred.
PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
- All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments.
INTRODUCTION
A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented individual to join our Adult Criminal Unit as a Trial Assistant. This position plays a vital role in supporting prosecutors throughout the criminal justice process by assisting with case preparation, evidence management, court proceedings, and trial coordination. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and a commitment to accuracy and professionalism. This position works closely with attorneys, law enforcement, court personnel, victims, witnesses, and other criminal justice partners to support the efficient and effective prosecution of criminal cases.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Conducts legal and factual research into statutes, cases, and records using a variety of legal resources; verifies citations in legal memoranda and briefs; summarizes legal documents.
- Provides administrative assistance for legal proceedings; procures and prepares evidence, and assists with presentation of evidence utilizing a variety of technologies; drafts/compiles legal documents; assists in preparing case files, jury trials, hearings and post-trial dispositions; maintains calendars and lists for hearings, dockets, and courts; completes general correspondence and assists in courtroom proceedings by transcribing court oral orders; copies, files, and distributes documents.
- Assists with investigation and review of cases; may assist attorneys in analyzing witness testimony by corroborating testimony through researching documentation, depositions, and court records.
- Prepares jury instructions, coordinates witness arrangements, prepares exhibits, copies audio/video taped evidence, delivers and/or retrieves equipment to/from courtroom; responds to inquiries and provides information; notifies/informs parties, witnesses, and attorneys of status of case and explains various legal programs, policies, procedures, and ramifications.
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Office Administration, or related field and one-year legal support, including legal research support experience are required.
- May require KS/MO driver’s license, depending on department or agency.
- Experience may be substituted for degree. Education may be substituted for experience.
Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions. Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.
PREFERRED JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Professional Paralegal Certification is preferred.
PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
- All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments.
See all 138+ OPT Clinical Trial Associate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Clinical Trial Associate
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Clinical Trial Associate roles typically fall under STEM OPT because they require life sciences, biomedical, or public health degrees. Verify your program CIP code with your DSO before applying, since STEM OPT extension eligibility is determined by your specific degree, not the job title.
Target CROs and mid-size biotech companies
Contract research organizations like Covance, ICON, and Parexel hire CTAs at volume and have established OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. Mid-size biotechs often move faster than large pharma and are more willing to sponsor candidates who demonstrate strong attention to regulatory detail.
Highlight any GCP or clinical research coursework
Good Clinical Practice certification and hands-on experience with clinical data, IRB submissions, or trial monitoring are concrete signals to hiring managers. Even coursework or academic research projects involving human subjects or regulated data strengthen your application significantly over candidates without that background.
Frame your OPT timeline clearly in applications
Employers evaluating CTA candidates want to understand your work authorization window upfront. State your OPT start date, STEM extension eligibility, and earliest available start date in your cover letter. Proactively addressing this removes ambiguity and signals maturity in navigating the sponsorship conversation.
Pursue ACRP or SoCRA entry-level certification
The ACRP Associate Clinical Research Professional certification and SoCRA's CCRP credential are recognized by employers hiring at the CTA level. Earning or pursuing one demonstrates commitment to the field and can differentiate you from other OPT candidates who have similar academic backgrounds but no credentials.
Network through clinical research professional associations
Industry associations like ACRP and SoCRA host conferences, webinars, and local chapter events where you can connect directly with CRO and sponsor-side hiring managers. Many CTA openings are filled through referrals before they are posted publicly, making professional community engagement a high-return job search activity.
Clinical Trial Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Clinical Trial Associate jobs qualify for STEM OPT?
Most Clinical Trial Associate roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as biology, biomedical sciences, public health, or a related life sciences discipline. The eligibility is tied to your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before relying on STEM OPT eligibility in your job search.
Which types of employers hire OPT students as Clinical Trial Associates?
Contract research organizations are the largest source of CTA hiring and tend to have structured onboarding processes that accommodate OPT work authorization. Pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, and academic medical centers also hire at this level. Browse Clinical Trial Associate jobs on Migrate Mate to filter for employers who actively sponsor or hire OPT students in this field.
Can I work as a Clinical Trial Associate on pre-completion OPT?
Yes, pre-completion OPT allows you to work in a role directly related to your degree field before you graduate. A Clinical Trial Associate role typically qualifies if your degree is in a life sciences or health-related field. You can work part-time during the academic year and full-time during breaks, so confirm those restrictions with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I explain OPT work authorization to a clinical research employer?
Be direct and factual. Tell the employer you are authorized to work in the United States on OPT for 12 months, with a potential 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization before needing H-1B sponsorship. Most CROs and pharma companies are familiar with OPT and have sponsored international employees before, so this conversation is rarely a dealbreaker.
What should I look for in a Clinical Trial Associate job posting as an OPT student?
Look for postings that mention visa sponsorship, international candidates welcome, or H-1B sponsorship for qualified applicants. Roles listed under a large CRO or established pharmaceutical company are more likely to have sponsorship infrastructure. Avoid roles at very small startups or principal investigator-run sites where the employer may have no prior experience navigating OPT or future sponsorship requirements.