Healthcare

Clinical Research Coordinator Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Copy-ready CRC job description covering GCP compliance, IRB submissions, protocol management, and subject enrollment. Customize for your therapeutic area in minutes.

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Job Title: Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) – [Therapeutic Area, e.g., Oncology / Cardiology / Neurology] Department: Clinical Research / Research Operations Location: [Institution/Site Name], [City, State] Reports To: Principal Investigator (PI) / Clinical Research Manager / Director of Research Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time About [Company/Institution Name] [Institution Name] is a [academic medical center / research hospital / clinical research site / CRO / biotech company] conducting [Phase I–IV / investigator-initiated / industry-sponsored] clinical trials in [therapeutic area(s)]. Our research team manages [X] active protocols and has enrolled [X] subjects annually. We are committed to conducting ethical, compliant, high-quality clinical research that advances [specialty] treatment. About the Role We are seeking a detail-oriented Clinical Research Coordinator to manage the day-to-day operations of clinical trials within our [therapeutic area] program. You will be responsible for subject recruitment and enrollment, regulatory document management, protocol compliance, data entry, and sponsor and IRB communications. This role requires a strong understanding of ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and the ability to maintain organized, audit-ready study files. Key Responsibilities • Screen, recruit, consent, and enroll eligible study subjects in accordance with protocol inclusion/exclusion criteria and ICH-GCP guidelines • Coordinate and conduct study visits, including collecting and processing biological specimens, administering study-related questionnaires, and performing protocol-specified assessments • Prepare and submit IRB applications, amendments, continuing reviews, and adverse event reports; maintain up-to-date regulatory binders • Enter and verify subject data in electronic data capture (EDC) systems (e.g., REDCap, Medidata Rave, Oracle InForm); resolve data queries in a timely manner • Maintain the Investigator Site File (ISF) and Trial Master File (TMF) in audit-ready condition • Communicate with sponsors, CROs, and clinical research associates (CRAs) during site initiation, monitoring visits, and close-out • Report serious adverse events (SAEs) and protocol deviations to the IRB, sponsor, and PI per regulatory timelines • Order, maintain inventory, and manage accountability records for investigational products per protocol and pharmacy requirements • Coordinate with clinical staff, laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology to schedule protocol-required procedures • Participate in study team meetings, training sessions, and quality improvement initiatives Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, health sciences, or a related field • Minimum [X] years of clinical research coordination experience; [new graduates with GCP training considered for junior roles] • Current ICH-GCP certification or willingness to complete within 90 days of hire • Experience with IRB submission and regulatory document management • Proficiency with at least one EDC platform (REDCap, Medidata Rave, Oracle InForm, Veeva Vault) • Knowledge of FDA regulations (21 CFR Parts 11, 50, 54, 56, 312) and ICH guidelines • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent protocols Nice to Have • CCRC (ACRP) or CCRS (SoCRA) certification • Experience in [oncology / cardiology / neurology / rare disease / pediatric research – specify] • Familiarity with CTMS platforms (Veeva Vault CTMS, Medidata CTMS, Oracle Siebel) • Phlebotomy certification or clinical skills for specimen collection What We Offer • Salary: $55,000 – $90,000/year based on experience and certification (2026 benchmark) • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits • 401(k) / 403(b) with employer match • Generous PTO and paid holidays • Support for CCRC/CCRS certification and GCP training • Opportunity to co-author publications and present at research conferences • Access to cutting-edge clinical trials in [therapeutic area] • Career pathway into Clinical Research Management, CRA, or Clinical Operations Salary Range: $55,000 – $90,000/year (US, 2026 benchmark) [Institution Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to ethical research, participant safety, and advancing science.

How to customize this clinical research coordinator job description

1. Name the therapeutic area and study phase

Oncology Phase I/II first-in-human trials require very different competencies than Phase III cardiology or neurology studies. Specifying the therapeutic area and study phase upfront lets candidates with the right background self-select efficiently, reducing screening time and improving quality of applications. Academic oncology sites should also mention whether investigator-initiated or industry-sponsored studies are included.

2. List EDC and CTMS platforms by name

REDCap, Medidata Rave, Oracle InForm, and Veeva Vault each require specific training and experience. Naming the platforms you use prevents candidates from overstating platform experience in interviews. Experienced CRCs will assess compatibility with your systems before applying, which reduces time spent on candidates who need extensive platform onboarding.

3. Clarify subject interaction vs. data responsibilities

Some CRC roles involve direct subject screening, consenting, specimen collection, and clinical assessments. Others are primarily data-focused with minimal subject contact. The balance matters significantly to candidates — clinical staff who enjoy patient interaction will be dissatisfied in a primarily administrative CRC role, and vice versa. Be explicit about the proportion of time spent on subject-facing vs. regulatory and data activities.

4. Highlight publication and career development opportunities

Academic medical centers can differentiate themselves by offering co-authorship opportunities on publications and poster presentations at conferences. This is a major motivator for science-oriented CRCs. Additionally, CRCs often use the role as a stepping stone to clinical research management, CRA, or regulatory affairs careers — outlining these advancement pathways in your JD attracts motivated, career-focused candidates.

Clinical research coordinator salary range in 2026 (US)

Base salary benchmarks for clinical research coordinators. Industry sponsors and CROs typically pay 10–20% above academic medical centers for equivalent experience.

LevelExperienceBase Salary RangeTypical Requirements
Junior CRC0–2 years$48,000 – $60,000BS life sciences, GCP certification, IRB basics
CRC3–6 years$60,000 – $75,000GCP cert, EDC proficiency, regulatory experience
Senior CRC7+ years$75,000 – $90,000CCRC or CCRS, multi-protocol management
Lead / CRC Manager8+ years$85,000 – $105,000+Team leadership, sponsor management, audit readiness

Frequently asked questions

What should a clinical research coordinator job description include? +

A CRC job description should include the therapeutic area and study phases, regulatory requirements (GCP, IRB, 21 CFR), EDC and CTMS platforms, subject enrollment and consenting responsibilities, sponsor and CRO interaction requirements, data entry and query resolution expectations, protocol deviation management, adverse event reporting, and certification preferences (CCRC, CCRS). The balance between direct subject interaction and data/regulatory work should be clearly communicated to attract the right fit.

What is the average clinical research coordinator salary in 2026? +

CRC salaries in the US in 2026 range from $48,000 for entry-level coordinators to $90,000+ for senior CRCs managing complex oncology or rare disease trials. Entry-level CRCs (0–2 years) earn $48,000–$60,000. Mid-level CRCs (3–6 years) earn $60,000–$75,000. Senior and Lead CRCs earn $75,000–$90,000+. CCRC or CCRS certified CRCs typically earn 8–12% more than non-certified peers. Industry-sponsored trials pay 10–20% above academic medical center rates for equivalent roles.

How do I write a CRC job description that attracts top candidates? +

Top CRCs look for organizations with strong compliance cultures, diverse study portfolios, and clear career advancement pathways. Be specific about therapeutic area, study phase, EDC platforms, and sponsor types. Mention CCRC/CCRS support, GCP training, and whether publication co-authorship opportunities exist. Highlight the variety of protocols and subject populations. For academic sites, emphasize mentorship from PIs and research leadership. For industry sites, emphasize career advancement into CRA or clinical operations roles.

Can I use this template in my ATS? +

Yes. Paste this template into Treegarden or your existing ATS, customize the therapeutic area, study phase, and platform requirements, and publish to clinical research job boards, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Treegarden supports certification-based screening (GCP, CCRC, CCRS) and experience-level filters to reduce unqualified applications. Plans start at $299/month for unlimited users.

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