Clinical Research Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Clinical research roles at pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers are strong candidates for H-1B sponsorship due to the specialized regulatory knowledge required. Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice guidelines, ICH standards, FDA regulations, and clinical trial management systems positions international candidates well for both temporary and long-term visa pathways.

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Overview

Open Jobs8,164+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type88% On-site
Salary Range$75K – $105K
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Showing 5 of 8,164+ clinical research jobs

Piper Companies
Clinical Research Associate
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Piper Companies
New 1h ago
Clinical Research Associate
Piper Companies
Remote
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Allied Health
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Science
$125,000/yr
Remote (US)
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Clinical Research Coordinator I
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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
New 1h ago
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Research
Clinical Trials
$46,280/yr - $75,670/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Boston Children's Hospital
Clinical Research Assistant
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Boston Children's Hospital
New 2h ago
Clinical Research Assistant
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$41,246/yr - $61,339/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Clinical Research Associate I
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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
New 2h ago
Clinical Research Associate I
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Buffalo, New York
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Support
Medical Coding & Billing
$53,357/yr - $67,810/yr
On-Site
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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University of Pennsylvania
Clinical Research Coordinator A-B
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University of Pennsylvania
New 5h ago
Clinical Research Coordinator A-B
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$46,500/yr - $55,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Clinical Research

Target pharma and biotech companies that regularly sponsor

Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Roche/Genentech, Novartis, AbbVie, and Amgen all sponsor H-1B visas for clinical research professionals. These companies hire clinical research associates, biostatisticians, and clinical data managers under SOC codes like 19-1042 (Medical Scientists).

Apply to contract research organizations

CROs like IQVIA, Parexel, PPD (Thermo Fisher), and Syneos Health employ thousands of clinical research professionals and have active H-1B sponsorship programs. CROs offer broad therapeutic area exposure and often promote from within, giving you a path to more senior sponsored roles.

Use STEM OPT to build your track record

Degrees in biology, chemistry, biostatistics, or epidemiology qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That gives you up to 3 years of post-graduation work authorization - enough time to earn your CRA certification and demonstrate the track record employers want before filing an H-1B.

Explore cap-exempt positions at university medical centers

Research roles at university-affiliated medical centers and teaching hospitals like those affiliated with Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and UCSF are H-1B cap-exempt. No lottery required and you can file any time of year, which removes the biggest uncertainty from the H-1B process.

Get ACRP or SoCRA certified

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) offer certifications widely recognized in the industry. These credentials demonstrate specialized expertise and can strengthen both your job applications and your H-1B specialty occupation argument.

Build toward an O-1 if you have significant publications

Clinical researchers with peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or contributions to major drug approvals may qualify for the O-1A visa for extraordinary ability in science. This visa has no annual cap and no lottery - it's based entirely on your professional track record.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which certifications strengthen a clinical research visa sponsorship application?

The Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) from ACRP and the Certified Clinical Research Professional from SOCRA are the most recognized credentials. Additional certifications in clinical data management, pharmacovigilance, or regulatory affairs from the Drug Information Association further strengthen the petition. While certifications do not replace the bachelor's degree requirement for H-1B, they provide concrete evidence that the role demands specialized knowledge beyond general scientific training.

Is it better to seek sponsorship from a pharmaceutical company or a contract research organization?

Both are viable, but they differ in structure. Large pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson have established immigration departments, higher average compensation, and more predictable sponsorship timelines. Contract research organizations like IQVIA, PPD, and Parexel sponsor frequently but may offer lower starting salaries and assign candidates to rotating client projects. Pharma companies are generally better for long-term career stability and green card sponsorship, while CROs provide broader exposure to different therapeutic areas.

Do clinical research roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your specific degree. Degrees in biostatistics, epidemiology, pharmacology, biomedical science, and related STEM fields qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Degrees in public health or health sciences may or may not qualify depending on the specific CIP code assigned by your university. Check with your international student office to confirm whether your degree program has a STEM-designated CIP code before relying on the extension in your career planning.

What clinical research subspecialties have the strongest sponsorship demand?

Clinical data management, biostatistics, and regulatory affairs are the subspecialties with the highest sponsorship demand because they require specialized technical and regulatory knowledge. Clinical operations roles focused on global trial coordination are also strongly sponsored, particularly at companies running multi-country studies. Pharmacovigilance and medical writing roles are growing areas where international candidates with the right qualifications face less domestic competition.

Can regulatory affairs experience improve my sponsorship prospects in clinical research?

Yes. Regulatory affairs professionals who understand FDA submission processes, IND/NDA filings, and GCP compliance are in high demand because this knowledge directly affects a company's ability to bring drugs to market. The specialized regulatory expertise makes the specialty occupation argument very clear for USCIS, and the role typically commands salaries well above prevailing wage thresholds. RAC (Regulatory Affairs Certification) from RAPS further strengthens both your candidacy and the visa petition.

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