Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois
Research Coordinator jobs in Illinois are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in academic medical centers, pharmaceutical research, and public health institutions, with openings at every level from entry-level clinical trial assistant to senior protocol manager. Chicago, Evanston, and Rockford are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by large employers such as Northwestern Medicine, the University of Chicago, and AbbVie. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois are oncology trials, epidemiological studies, and community health research. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator is a registered professional nurse who demonstrates exemplary clinical research knowledge, has strong communication skills and is responsible for serving as a liaison between Northwestern University (NU) clinical research investigator teams (e.g., investigator initiated trials, sponsor trials) and Northwestern Medicine; a joint collaboration between NMG and the NU Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (CRNC) works collaboratively with the inter-professional team and peers to ensure appropriate implementation and conduct of clinical research studies throughout the lifecycle of a protocol. The CRNC adheres to the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice of Professional Nursing and the Code of Ethics. The CRNC utilizes the NIH Clinical Research Nurse Domain of Practice and Model of Care. The CRNC reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Collaborate with a wide range of professionals to disseminate patient care outcomes through publications and presentations, managing all stages of research projects—from feasibility, project conception and approval, data collection, literature review to manuscript submission. Participates in monthly meetings with surgeons and NU research team staff to track progress of projects. Clinical expertise in cardiac surgery (valve and atrial fibrillation procedures) is preferred.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Responsibilities:
- Leads the coordination and support to Principal Investigator(s).
- Reviews research studies in pre-submission phase for feasibility of protocol implementation.
- Guides the review, revision, and maintenance of protocols. Assures established protocols meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Provides guidance to clinical research nurses on projects related to new research study submissions, utilization reviews, wording/phrasing of medical orders, protocols and workflows.
- Develops and maintains clinical nursing research policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines.
- Supports the development of projects created in response to research-related problems and events as identified and reported by staff and research study team members (e.g., events, deviations, corrective and preventative actions).
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to orient and train new staff to clinical research.
- Collaborates with Clinical Coordinators, Education Coordinators, and peer CRNCs to identify training needed for clinical research nurses about unfamiliar practices, procedures and medications to ensure patient/subject safety and compliance with protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Escalates research-related concerns to the appropriate leader or committee.
- Serves as a mentor and role model for communication and collaboration with investigator teams and clinical and technical research practices.
- Supports the clinical research nursing staff during adverse events, emergencies, and difficult clinical situations.
- Provides clinical nursing support to both inpatient and/or outpatient teams as needed as a cross trained resource.
#AMCIND
#LI-MP
Qualifications
Required:
- Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
- Experience in clinical trials
- BSN
- Minimum of two years related clinical experience.
- CPR-BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA)
Preferred:
- MSN
- Membership in Professional Nursing Organization
- ACLS Certification in clinical areas where required
- Society of Clinical Research Associates' (SOCRA) or Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certification
- Certification in area of clinical specialty.
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.
Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits
Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.
If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.
See All 51 Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois
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Find Research Coordinator JobsResearch Coordinator Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Coordinator Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services12
- Education10
- Transportation & Logistics1
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research coordinator jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, public health, or a related field required
- Experience coordinating IRB submissions and maintaining regulatory binders for clinical trials
- Familiarity with GCP guidelines and FDA regulatory requirements for research studies
- Proficiency with electronic data capture systems such as REDCap or Medidata Rave
- Strong written communication skills for preparing consent forms and study documentation
- Ability to recruit, screen, and schedule research participants according to protocol criteria
Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research coordinator in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, public health, or a closely related field as the baseline. While Illinois does not issue a state license specifically for research coordinators, many hiring managers at Illinois academic medical centers and health systems expect or prefer the Certified Clinical Research Coordinator credential offered by the Society of Clinical Research Associates or the equivalent from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Starting in a data entry, patient recruitment, or research assistant role at a large Illinois institution is a common first step.
Which companies hire research coordinators in Illinois?
Illinois research coordinator roles are posted by Rush University Medical Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and Endeavor Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of academic medical centers, federally funded research universities, and pharmaceutical headquarters means openings appear consistently across both clinical and non-clinical research settings.
Which Illinois cities have the most research coordinator jobs?
Chicago, Streeterville, and Urbana have the most research coordinator openings in Illinois right now. Chicago dominates the distribution because it is home to major academic medical systems and the headquarters of global pharmaceutical companies, while Evanston and the broader North Shore benefit from Northwestern University's large clinical and translational research enterprise, and Rockford draws openings from its regional hospital systems and federally funded community health programs.
Are there remote research coordinator jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 15% of research coordinator openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most clinical trial and lab-based roles. The tasks most likely to go remote or hybrid are data entry, regulatory document management, and participant follow-up calls, while participant recruitment, specimen collection, and on-site visits remain in-person.
How can I get hired as a research coordinator in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a research assistant or clinical trial assistant role at one of Illinois's large academic medical systems, such as Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, or the University of Illinois Health system, all of which regularly post junior-level openings that do not require prior coordinator experience. A background as a medical assistant, phlebotomist, or patient access representative at an Illinois hospital or clinic is a recognized lateral move. Earning the CCRP or CCRC credential early, even before your first coordinator title, gives applications a visible edge in a competitive Illinois market.
Where can I find and apply to research coordinator jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to research coordinator jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Search for roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location.
See All 51 Research Coordinator Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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