Oncology Research Nurse: Phase 1 Trials & Immunotherapy

Duke University; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Cancer Institute’s Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator role is on-site in Durham, NC. You will lead and coordinate complex oncology trials—from start-up to closeout—while delivering direct patient care, administering chemotherapy, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate with physicians, sponsors, and teams to manage study operations, educate patients, monitor adverse events, and maintain high standards of data integrity in a fast-paced cancer research unit.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited BSN program, Associate Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program.
• Current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina.
• BLS certification required.
• Minimum 12 months of clinical nursing experience.
• If not BSN-prepared, must enroll in a BSN program within two years and complete within seven years.
• Maintain compliance with all hospital and unit-specific competencies and training requirements.
• Experience in oncology, clinical research, or ICU is preferred.
• Experience with clinical trials, investigational products, or protocol-driven care.
• Familiarity with EDC systems and research documentation.
• Strong ability to manage complex workflows and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to administer adult chemotherapy and ambulatory medications.
• Clinical competencies including dysrhythmia review, lab interpretation, and adverse event assessment.
• Participation in continuing education and maintenance of required certifications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage oncology clinical trials by recruiting, screening, consenting, and enrolling participants while ensuring adherence to study protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver direct patient care in a research setting, including medication administration, chemotherapy delivery, patient education, and monitoring for adverse events and treatment compliance.
• Oversee study operations and compliance, maintaining regulatory documentation, reporting adverse events, supporting audits, and ensuring alignment with SOPs and federal guidelines.
• Collaborate with investigators, sponsors, and cross-functional teams to execute study activities, resolve issues, support monitoring visits, and contribute to study start-up and closeout processes.
• Support financial and data management efforts, including budget development, tracking study milestones, entering and validating clinical data, and ensuring data accuracy, security, and completeness.

Skills

BLS certification

Oncology nursing

Clinical research coordination

Regulatory compliance

Data management

Education

BSN/ADN/Nursing Diploma

Tools

EDC systems

Job description

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Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator - Duke Cancer Institute

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 274058

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Sep 23, 2026

School of Medicine:

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

The Duke Cancer Institute’s Phase 1 and Immunotherapy Program (PHIIT) is seeking a highly skilled Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator to join our dynamic Oncology Clinical Research Unit (CRU). In this critical role, you will lead and coordinate complex oncology clinical trials, including first-in-human studies and investigational therapies that are advancing the future of cancer care.

You will work at the forefront of innovation—partnering closely with physicians, researchers, and multidisciplinary teams to bring cutting-edge treatments to patients. From study start-up through closeout, you will be a central driver of clinical trial execution, ensuring excellence in patient care, regulatory compliance, and data integrity.

In your day-to-day work, you will engage directly with patients—guiding them through the clinical trial process, administering specialized treatments such as chemotherapy, monitoring for adverse events, and providing education on investigational therapies. You will also collaborate with sponsors, manage study operations, and contribute to the development of new research initiatives.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a nurse who is passionate about oncology, research, and patient-centered care to make a meaningful impact in advancing life-saving therapies.

• Graduation from an accredited BSN program, Associate Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program
• Current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina
• BLS certification required
• Minimum 12 months of clinical nursing experience
• If not BSN-prepared, must enroll in a BSN program within two years and complete within seven years
• Maintain compliance with all hospital and unit-specific competencies and training requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in oncology, clinical research, or intensive care (ICU)
• Experience with clinical trials, investigational products, or protocol-driven care
• Familiarity with Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems and research documentation
• Strong ability to manage complex workflows and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams

Other Requirements:

• Ability to administer adult chemotherapy and ambulatory medications
• Clinical competencies including dysrhythmia review, lab interpretation, and adverse event assessment
• Participation in continuing education and maintenance of required certifications

Be Bold.

Position Description:

• Coordinate and manage oncology clinical trials by recruiting, screening, consenting, and enrolling participants while ensuring adherence to study protocols and regulatory requirements
• Deliver direct patient care in a research setting , including medication administration, chemotherapy delivery, patient education, and monitoring for adverse events and treatment compliance
• Oversee study operations and compliance , maintaining regulatory documentation, reporting adverse events, supporting audits, and ensuring alignment with institutional policies, SOPs, and federal guidelines
• Collaborate with investigators, sponsors, and cross-functional teams to execute study activities, resolve issues, support monitoring visits, and contribute to study start-up and closeout processes
• Support financial and data management efforts , including budget development, tracking study milestones, entering and validating clinical data, and ensuring data accuracy, security, and completeness

Choose Duke.

Join Duke Cancer Institute—one of the nation’s leading cancer centers—where innovation, discovery, and compassionate care come together to transform patient outcomes. As part of the Oncology Clinical Research Unit, you will contribute to groundbreaking Phase 1 and immunotherapy trials that are shaping the future of cancer treatment worldwide.

At Duke, you will find a collaborative and inclusive environment that values professional growth, continuous learning, and clinical excellence. You will have opportunities to participate in research publications, mentor colleagues, and advance your career within a nationally recognized academic health system.

Job Code: 00001203 CLINICAL RESEARCH NURSE COORDINATOR

Job Level: 54

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $66,265.00 to USD $107,096.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.