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Contract Research Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Paralegal, Contracts

Deerfield, IL · On-site

$34.67 - $51.11/hr

Associate's degree or higher with a paralegal certificate OR a High School Diploma/GED and at least ... with research, contract summaries, and preparation of negotiation materials. * Help maintain and ...

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Contract Research Associate information

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$16

$33

$48

How much do contract research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract research associate in Chicago, IL is $33.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.97 and $38.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract research associate?

A Contract Research Associate (CRA) is a professional who is typically hired on a contractual basis to support and manage clinical trials or research projects. Their primary responsibilities include monitoring research sites, ensuring compliance with protocols and regulations, collecting and verifying data, and maintaining proper documentation. CRAs play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and safety of clinical studies, often working for pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), or academic institutions. The contract nature of the role means that assignments are usually project-based and may vary in duration and scope.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract research associate?

To thrive as a Contract Research Associate, you need a solid background in life sciences or a related field, attention to detail, and experience with clinical research processes. Familiarity with regulatory systems like FDA guidelines, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), data management tools, and electronic data capture (EDC) systems is typically required. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently or in teams help set candidates apart. These competencies ensure that clinical trials are conducted accurately, compliantly, and efficiently, supporting successful research outcomes.

What are some typical challenges faced by contract research associates when managing multiple studies simultaneously?

Contract Research Associates often juggle several clinical trials at once, which can pose challenges in time management and prioritization. Balancing the requirements of different sponsors, adhering to varying protocols, and ensuring accurate documentation for each study demand strong organizational skills. Additionally, staying up to date with regulatory changes and effective communication with site staff are crucial to avoid delays and ensure compliance. Developing efficient workflows and leveraging project management tools can help address these challenges.

What is the difference between Contract Research Associate vs Clinical Research Coordinator?

AspectContract Research AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, often in life sciences; certifications like CCRP beneficialBachelor's degree in health sciences or related field; certifications like CCRP or CCRC advantageous
Work EnvironmentTypically in pharmaceutical or biotech companies, contract research organizations (CROs)Usually in hospitals, clinics, or research sites
Employer & IndustryPharmaceutical companies, CROs, biotech firmsHospitals, academic medical centers, research institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles support clinical trials, a Contract Research Associate primarily works for pharmaceutical or biotech companies managing trial processes remotely or at sites, often on a contractual basis. A Clinical Research Coordinator typically works directly at research sites, coordinating patient visits and data collection. Both roles require similar credentials and certifications, but their work environments and employer types differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Contract Research jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Contract Research jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Contract Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Contract Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Research Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,726 per year, or $33.5 per hour.

Principal Carelon Research Biostatistician

Elevance Health

Chicago, IL

$136K - $234K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Elevance Health rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 351 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

204th of 309 rated insurance


Job description

Principal Carelon Research Biostatistician

Hybrid 1: This role requires associates to be in-office 1 - 2 days per week, fostering collaboration and connectivity, while providing flexibility to support productivity and work-life balance. This approach combines structured office engagement with the autonomy of virtual work, promoting a dynamic and adaptable workplace. Alternate locations may be considered if candidates reside within a commuting distance from an office.

Please note that per our policy on hybrid/virtual work, candidates not within a reasonable commuting distance from the posting location(s) will not be considered for employment, unless an accommodation is granted as required by law.

As the research arm of Elevance Health, Carelon Research is a full-service CRO with more than three decades' experience integrating data, clinical expertise, and scientific rigor with patient perspectives to accelerate impact. When studies are designed with the power of real-world health data and patient insights,decisions become clearer, connections stronger, and outcomes more meaningful.

The Principal Carelon Research Biostatisticianis responsible for serving as the statistical lead for complex clinical research studies and represents an analytical thought leader across Carelon Research's clinical research portfolio. This researcher partners with investigators, research sponsors, academic institutions, and cross-functional project teams to design studies, develop statistical methodologies, oversee analytical execution, and communicate scientific findings that advance externally funded clinical research programs.

How You Will Make an Impact

Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Provides strategic input as the lead statistical subject matter expert supporting clinical research studies, study design, protocol development, outcome selection, and statistical analysis planning.

  • Leads or oversees statistical analyses and application of advanced research methods for clinical research studies, including development of sample size calculations, statistical analysis plans, interim analyses, and final study reporting.

  • Leads or oversees statistical teams in supporting the analytical, quality control, and operational aspects of clinical research programs while mentoring and guiding other statisticians.

  • Contributes statistical expertise to research proposals, grant-supported initiatives, protocol development, and scientific publications while communicating methods, results, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

  • Publishes research findings in recognized scientific publications and presents study results to investigators, clients, scientific review boards, and professional conferences.

  • Serves as a statistical consultant and scientific thought leader in advanced biostatistical methodologies to support clinical research objectives and externally funded research programs.

  • Contributes to organizational initiatives, scientific forums, business development efforts, and research activities that support future study opportunities and growth of the clinical research portfolio.

Minimum Requirements:

Requires a PhD and a minimum of 7 years of postdoctoral research experience or Masters degree and a minimum of 11 years of experience; or any combination of education and experience which would provide an equivalent background.

Preferred Skills, Capabilities, & Experiences:

  • Clinical research experience within a Contract Research Organization (CRO), academic medical center, research institution, life sciences organization, or sponsor-funded research environment preferred.

  • Expertise in analytic methods and statistical programming using SAS, R, or similar tools to support clinical research studies, statistical analysis plans, and publication-quality research preferred.

  • Experience designing clinical research studies, developing sample size calculations, statistical analysis plans, outcome measures, and advanced statistical methodologies including survival analysis, causal inference, and experimental design preferred.

  • Experience supporting federally funded research programs, grant-funded studies, or academic research collaborations preferred.

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with investigators, physicians, pharmaceutical sponsors, and cross-functional research teams while providing statistical leadership throughout the study lifecycle preferred.

  • Strong scientific communication skills with experience presenting complex statistical findings, authoring publications, and communicating research results to both technical and non-technical audiences preferred.

For candidates working in person or virtually in the below location(s), the salary* range for this specific position is $136,000.00 to $234,600.00 annually.

Locations: Columbus, OH; Illinois; Massachusetts; New Jersey; & Virginia.

In addition to your salary, Elevance Health offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary offered for this specific position is based on a number of legitimate, non-discriminatory factors set by the Company. The Company is fully committed to ensuring equal pay opportunities for equal work regardless of gender, race, or any other category protected by federal, state, and local pay equity laws.

*The salary range is the range Elevance Health in good faith believes is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future and actual compensation may vary from posting based on geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level. Even within the range, the actual compensation will vary depending on the above factors as well as market/business considerations. No amount is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable under the terms and conditions of the applicable policies and plans. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, paid time off, stock, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Please be advised that Elevance Health only accepts resumes for compensation from agencies that have a signed agreement with Elevance Health. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Elevance Health.

Who We Are

Elevance Health is a health company dedicated to improving lives and communities - and making healthcare simpler. We are a Fortune 25 company with a longstanding history in the healthcare industry, looking for leaders at all levels of the organization who are passionate about making an impact on our members and the communities we serve.

How We Work

At Elevance Health, we are creating a culture that is designed to advance our strategy but will also lead to personal and professional growth for our associates. Our values and behaviors are the root of our culture. They are how we achieve our strategy, power our business outcomes and drive our shared success - for our consumers, our associates, our communities and our business.

We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and incentive bonus programs (unless covered by a collective bargaining agreement), medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k) +match, stock purchase plan, life insurance, wellness programs and financial education resources, to name a few.

Elevance Health operates in a Hybrid Workforce Strategy. Unless specified as primarily virtual by the hiring manager, associates are required to work at an Elevance Health location at least once per week, and potentially several times per week. Specific requirements and expectations for time onsite will be discussed as part of the hiring process.

The health of our associates and communities is a top priority for Elevance Health. We require all new candidates in certain patient/member-facing roles to become vaccinated against COVID-19 and Influenza. If you are not vaccinated, your offer will be rescinded unless you provide an acceptable explanation. Elevance Health will also follow all relevant federal, state and local laws.

Elevance Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact elevancehealthjobssupport@elevancehealth.com for assistance.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, including, but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.

Prospective employees required to be screened under Florida law should review the education and awareness resources at HB531 | Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.


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About Elevance Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Elevance Health is a health company dedicated to improving lives and communities - and making healthcare simpler. A Fortune 20 company with a longstanding history in the healthcare industry, we are looking for leaders at all levels of the organization who are passionate about making an impact on our members and the communities we serve. You will thrive in a complex and collaborative environment where you take action and ownership to solve problems and lead change. Do you want to be part of a larger purpose and an evolving, high-performance culture that empowers you to make an impact?

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Indianapolis, IN, US

Year founded

2004

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