Research Coordinator Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Research Coordinator jobs in San Francisco concentrate in Mission Bay, the Inner Sunset, and the Civic Center corridor, with strong demand from clinical research organizations, life sciences firms, university-affiliated medical centers, and public health agencies. Employers hiring right now include University of California - San Francisco, Medpace, and oura. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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INTRODUCTION
Senior Clinical Research Coordinators with the Genitourinary Medical Oncology (GU Med Onc) program independently coordinate and are accountable for the overall administration of one or more clinical studies, typically requiring advanced-level knowledge and skills. They may provide leadership to lower-level clinical research coordinators and/or other support personnel.
This Senior Clinical Research Coordinator will support GU Med Onc in study activation, study amendment submissions, and the activation and oversight of investigator initiated trials (IITs) with subsites.
The position is responsible for, and critically important to the overall operational management of clinical research activities. It has direct responsibility for implementing a diverse portfolio of research activities for one or more studies which may include multicenter clinical trials (both NIH and industry-sponsored), local investigator-initiated clinical trials, and/or programmatic clinical research activities, such as a clinical database and biorepository. Positions at this level may perform expert and efficient integration of multiple complex programmatic activities, applying a sophisticated medical knowledge base, substantial leadership skills, effectively working with a variety of people and organizations at UCSF (clinicians, investigators, clinical staff, administration, Committee on Human Research, human resources, contracts and grants) and elsewhere (industry sponsors, coordinating centers, FDA, NIH), exhibiting an in-depth knowledge of specific programs.
Reporting to a Principal Investigator (PI) or Director, the incumbent may have central responsibility for ensuring CHR approval and compliance, contract generation, negotiation and approval, subject recruitment, appropriate study testing, and adequate enrollment of multicenter clinical trials, longitudinal cohort studies, local investigator-initiated studies, and biorepository efforts; exercise strong administration and management leadership of clinical research, strong research coordination, and may lead experienced personnel to ensure optimal systems for efficiency, compliance, safety, financial oversight, and contractual expertise in negotiations and execution, as well as create and implement quality improvement processes. This is a position of leadership whose main purpose is to ensure that clinical research commitments are met and that the programs maintain a reputation for excellence in all activities.
Department Overview:
The UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC) is the only cancer center in the Bay Area to receive the prestigious designation of “comprehensive” from the National Cancer Institute. We combine basic science, clinical research, epidemiology, cancer control and patient care throughout the University of California, San Francisco. Currently, the HDFCCC conducts over 700 clinical trials across various departments.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- BS/BA degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities; and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Demonstrated ability to develop recruitment strategies in complex environments and differing patient pools, independently identifying recruitment leads, implementing new strategies, and continually adjusting strategies to meet current recruitment goals.
- In-depth knowledge of clinical research contracts and grants, clinical trials, protocols, FDA regulations, and complex visit structures.
- Project management skills to oversee the administrative operations of the clinical trials program; knowledge of strategies for recruiting human subjects.
- Exceptional analytical skills to evaluate the importance and urgency of problems; excellent demonstrated interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to analyze complex and non-routine issues requiring innovative solutions.
- Ability to operate effectively in a changing organizational and technological environment.
- Ability to assess and respond to audit risk; ability to develop project plans/schedules and motivate team to meet deadlines.
- Ability to interpret and apply policies and regulations.
- Financial analysis skills; demonstrated skills in preparing and presenting financial and quantitative analyses, including financial projections and budgets.
- Significant project and clinical trial management experience or progressively responsible experience in a related position including regulatory and compliance responsibilities.
- Experience using database software, such as MS Access or FileMaker Pro.
- Ability to obtain certification by the Society of Clinical Research Associates or the Association of Clinical Research Professionals within one year of date of hire.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Fluency in spreadsheet software; ability to develop complex spreadsheets independently; demonstrated skills in audit preparation, execution, and follow-up.
- Experience in risk management regarding study subjects, federal and non-federal sponsors and regulating bodies.
- Experience with grant application procedures, personnel documentation, contract generation and subcontracting, preferably at UCSF.
- Certification by the Society of Clinical Research Associates or the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
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Find Research Coordinator JobsResearch Coordinator Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- University of California - San Francisco74

- Medpace15

- oura7

- Nudge7

- Salma Health7S
Top Industries Hiring
- Education22
- Healthcare & Medical Services15
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals7
Research Coordinator Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research coordinator job in San Francisco?
Focus your search on Mission Bay and the Inner Sunset, where clinical research organizations, UCSF-affiliated programs, and biotech companies concentrate most of their study coordination roles. Candidates with experience in IRB submissions, clinical trial protocols, or public health data collection have a clear edge locally. Connecting with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and community health networks also opens doors that purely commercial job boards miss.
Which companies hire research coordinators in San Francisco?
Companies currently hiring research coordinators in San Francisco include University of California - San Francisco, Medpace, and oura, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Francisco's employer mix skews heavily toward academic medical centers, biotech startups, and public health institutions, which together drive consistent year-round demand for this role.
Are there remote research coordinator jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role type. Hands-on clinical or lab-based positions almost always require on-site presence, while survey coordination, data management, and regulatory affairs support are far more remote-compatible. About 66% of research coordinator openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common at larger biotech and health policy organizations in the city.
How can I get a research coordinator job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Francisco is through a research assistant or study assistant role at a UCSF-affiliated clinic, a public health nonprofit in the Mission or Tenderloin, or a community health organization contracting with the San Francisco Department of Public Health. These positions routinely promote internally. A background in health sciences, psychology, or social work combined with familiarity with REDCap or similar data tools gives entry-level candidates a concrete advantage over general applicants.
Which industries hire the most research coordinators in San Francisco?
San Francisco research coordinator roles concentrate in Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The city's dense cluster of academic medical centers, federally funded public health programs, and venture-backed life sciences companies creates sustained hiring pressure across all three sectors regardless of broader economic conditions.
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