Sr. Clinical Research Coordinator

University of Chicago; Orland Park (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) leads daily activities of complex cancer trials under a PI. You will coordinate enrollment, QA activities, and data collection while ensuring compliance with federal and institutional regulations.

You will guide protocols, prepare regulatory submissions, and support audits, with collaboration across departments, study sponsors, and investigators in a dynamic research environment.

Qualifications

• College or university degree in a related field.
• 5–7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications such as SoCRA or ACRP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and manage daily activities of complex clinical trials.
• Serve as a liaison with medical staff and University departments.
• Maintain regulatory documentation and protocol compliance.
• Prepare IRB submissions, grant reports, and study forms as needed.
• Provide guidance on protocol requirements and data management.

Skills

Clinical trial coordination

Project leadership

Documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

College degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

Department

BSD CCC - Network Oncology Research Support

About the Department

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant funds ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises over 200 faculty members from twenty departments, with members currently being awarded over $51million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $24 million in non-peer-reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, marketing and communications, fundraising, data analytics, clinical trials management, and community outreach and engagement.

The UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area, with more than 450 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC’s commitment to translating basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early-phase studies. UCCCC opens over 130 new trials each year and accrues approximately 800 participants to therapeutic trials each year.

Job Summary

The Senior Clinical Research Coordinator (Sr CRC) is a specialized research professional working with and under the direction of the clinical Principal Investigator (PI). While the Principal Investigator is primarily responsible for the overall design, conduct, and management of clinical trials, the Sr CRC oversees, facilitates, and coordinates the daily activities of complex clinical trials and plays a critical role in their conduct to ensure compliance with federal and institutional regulations.

The Sr CRC serves as a leader within the department/unit by improving clinical research practices and as a resource to others. By performing these duties, the Sr. CRC works with the PI, department, sponsor, and institution to support and provide guidance on the administration of the compliance, financial, personnel, and other related aspects of the clinical studies.

This position independently manages the collection, documentation, analysis, and reporting of clinical trial data. Provides input into the strategic, administrative, operational, and financial decisions that impact clinical research conducted across the University.

Responsibilities

• Assists with or plans and implements the clinical study goals and objectives; organizes patient enrollment planning; conducts quality assurance activities, compiles and analyzes data; processes blood and urine specimens.
• Acts as a liaison with medical staff, University departments, ancillary departments, and/or network facilities.
• Acts as a leader within the department/unit through improving clinical research practice; serves as a resource person or acts as a consultant within the area of clinical expertise.
• Maintains working knowledge of current protocols and internal SOPs.
• Accountable for high standards of clinical research practice and assists in the development of accountability in others.
• Develops and implements procedures, maintains records, tracks progress, and conducts quality assurance of collected data.
• Oversees and participates in the coordination and conduct of complex clinical research studies and ensures compliance with federal and institutional regulations. Prepares, submits, and assists Investigators with multiple levels of research documentation, i.e., IRB submissions, educational materials, reports, grant renewal reports, and study forms.
• Provides investigators with guidance regarding protocol requirements. Maintains regulatory documentation.
• Assists other research personnel with reports to regulatory agencies, such as the IRB, FDA, and Data and Safety Review Committee.
• Prepares for and assists with audits, inspections, and monitoring visits from regulatory agencies or sponsors.
• Attends continuing education and training opportunities relevant to job duties.
• Accountable for all tasks in complex clinical studies.
• Performs various professional, organizational, and operational tasks under limited supervision. Acts as a resource on clinical research and related aspects of clinical study for other clinical research staff. Accountable for complex problem solving on assigned clinical research studies and professional tasks.
• Facilitates and participates in the daily activities of complex clinical studies and performs various activities including patient data retrieval, documenting clinical research records, and participation in program audits. Uses in-depth knowledge of clinical studies to coordinate the collection of analyzable clinical research data and/or samples with a high degree of independence.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

—

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

Experience:

• Familiarity with Clinical trials terminology, environment, and protocols.
• Working knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience participating in protocol reviews and clinical trial evaluations.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Research certification, e.g., SoCRA, ACRP, Graham School Clinical Trials Management and Regulatory Compliance.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to interact and communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy with patrons, patients, staff, faculty, students, and others.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong data management skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Suite, including Outlook.
• Ability to understand complex documents (e.g., clinical trials).
• Ability to handle competing demands with diplomacy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to absorb large amounts of information quickly.
• Adaptability to changing working situations and work assignments.

Working Conditions

• Ability to navigate the UChicago Campus as required by the Position.
• Hybrid work arrangements may be considered.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (preferred)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $85,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑based basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.