Top 75 Academic Medical Centers with Active Clinical Trials & Research Fellowships (2025 List)
Academic medical centers (AMCs) are where complex protocols, investigator-initiated studies, and cutting-edge fellowships collide. If you want fast growth into senior CRC, Sub-I, CRA, or CPM tracks, aim for AMCs that run high-acuity trials and protect documentation quality with ironclad SOPs. As you shortlist institutions, sharpen your fundamentals with GCP guidelines mastery and build audit-proof habits using clinical trial documentation under GCP. Tie your first-month plan to project planning techniques and pre-write a deviation→CAPA example using GCP compliance strategies so monitors feel your reliability from day one.
How to use this directory to unlock AMC roles fast
Treat this page like a playbook. First, map where your specialty fit is strongest (Oncology vs. Cardio vs. CNS vs. ID). Then craft a mini-portfolio: one ALCOA+ source template from documentation under GCP, one monitor-day checklist, and a deviation→CAPA narrative using risk management for PMs. Add a salary anchor from the 2025 clinical research salary report and bring two clinician-friendly summaries on global trial trends—countries leading trials in 2025 and Africa’s trial frontier—so you interview with perspective. If you’re pivoting from RA, skim research assistant role essentials and effective data collection to speak the same language as PI offices.
| Academic Medical Center | Active Trial Strengths & Fellowships | Hiring Angle (How to Break In) |
|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic | OncologyCardiologyTransplant Broad Phase I–III; research fellowships across clinical specialties. | Lead with ALCOA+ source exemplars; highlight imaging/biobank coordination. |
| Cleveland Clinic | CardioNeuroDevices Complex device studies; post-doc and clinical research Fellow roles. | Pitch device accountability logs and rater/imaging scheduling mastery. |
| Johns Hopkins Medicine | First-in-humanIDOnc Intensive safety reporting; translational fellowships. | Bring polished AE/SAE narrative samples and consent scripting. |
| Mass General Brigham (MGH/Brigham) | OncNeuroGenetics Investigator-initiated trials; clinical/translational fellowships. | Show reg-binder checklist mapped to ICH E6 (R3) expectations. |
| Stanford Medicine | GenomicsDevicesImmunology Precision medicine programs; T32-style research training. | Lead with eSource/ePRO fluency and device calibration controls. |
| UCSF Health | NeuroIDOnc High DI trials; clinician-scientist fellowships. | Present visit-timeboxing method and query aging ≤48-hour target. |
| UCLA Health | TransplantOncGI Mixed inpatient/ambulatory complexity; subspecialty fellowships. | Show chain-of-custody SOPs and bilingual consent skills. |
| NYU Langone Health | TraumaNeuroOrtho Acute care trials; funded research tracks. | Bring escalation trees and ED consent readiness. |
| Mount Sinai Health System | EndocrineCNSPopulation Data-heavy designs; multiple clinical fellowships. | Present eDiary adherence SOP + PRO coaching scripts. |
| Columbia University Irving Medical Center | CardioOncNeonatal Sponsor audit intensity; MD/PhD fellow pipelines. | Arrive with monitor-day whiteboard and CAPA library. |
| Penn Medicine | Cell/GeneOncPulmonary Advanced modalities; competitive fellowships. | Show infusion visit maps, IMP accountability, and AE triage cadence. |
| Duke Health | CardioPulmonaryPopulation Strong CTUs; CRA-aware site culture. | Speak CRA language; bring risk register and SDV/SDR approach. |
| UNC Health | GIRespiratoryPeds Community-academic linkage; trainee fellowships. | Pitch outreach scripts and pediatric assent workflows. |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | GeneticsCNSPharmaco Data integrity focus; T32/clinical scholar tracks. | Lead with ALCOA+ exemplars and PD documentation discipline. |
| University of Michigan Medicine | CardioOncOrtho Multisite oversight; research fellowships. | Show KPI dashboard (queries, visit windows, edit deltas). |
| Northwestern Medicine | OncDermImaging Photo standards; derm fellowships. | Bring imaging QC and photo SOP. |
| Rush University System for Health | NeuroOncRehab Investigator-led protocols; PM&R fellowships. | Pitch retention cadence and rehab endpoints familiarity. |
| University of Chicago Medicine | GIOncEndocrine Complex diaries/specimens. | Show specimen tracking SOP and lab triage matrix. |
| Yale New Haven Health | OncGICardio Investigator programs; fellowships in multiple divisions. | Lead with PI liaison scripts and inter-site comms cadence. |
| Brown / Lifespan | CNSPsychID Rater-intense protocols; resident research tracks. | Present rater scheduling mastery and privacy workflows. |
| UC San Diego Health | OncIDNeuro Teletrial-friendly; fellowships across subspecialties. | Bring ePRO playbook and decentralized visit SOP. |
| UC Davis Health | CardioPedsImaging Multisite peds trials; trainee tracks. | Pitch guardian consent and imaging calendar control. |
| UC Irvine Health | NeuromuscularOncDevices Device + imaging alignment. | Show device QMS familiarity and data transfer checks. |
| OHSU | OncNeuroTransplant Investigator-initiated designs. | Lead with protocol-question workflows and literature review agility. |
| UW Medicine (Seattle) | TransplantOncTrauma Inpatient coordination complexity. | Bring inpatient timing SOP and escalation ladder. |
| University of Utah Health | CardioIDPulmonary Altitude/device nuances. | Show vitals/device acclimatization checklists. |
| UCHealth (Colorado Anschutz) | PulmonologyOncRheum Imaging and device endpoints. | Highlight imaging QC + device accountability. |
| University of Arizona Health Sciences | PulmonaryEndocrineID Community partnerships; trainee options. | Pitch outreach + bilingual scripts. |
| University of New Mexico Health | IDOncPeds Rural recruitment challenges. | Show community transport/retention SOPs. |
| Ohio State Wexner Medical Center | OncCardioNeuro High-throughput CTUs; fellows across divisions. | Bring screening-day playbook and KPI cadence. |
| Indiana University Health | OncIDPulmonary Multi-campus oversight. | Show travel/visit logistics controls. |
| UW Health (Wisconsin) | NeuroOncCardio Tight doc standards. | Lead with ALCOA+ templates and audit trail discipline. |
| University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics | NeuroOncImaging Rater-imaging pipelines. | Present rater + radiology calendar mastery. |
| University of Kansas Health System | OncCardioEndocrine Sponsor-engaged culture. | Pitch sponsor comms cadence and query hygiene. |
| Nebraska Medicine | IDOncTransplant Inpatient isolation workflows. | Bring biosafety, PPE, and AE triage scripts. |
| University of Minnesota — M Health Fairview | OncNeuroCardio Academic-community linkage. | Show inter-hospital orchestration SOP. |
| Cincinnati Children’s / UC | PedsGIGenetics Peds fellowships; diary intensity. | Present diary coaching and guardian consent workflows. |
| Nationwide Children’s | PedsCardioNeuromuscular Device + imaging endpoints. | Highlight device accountability and imaging QC. |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | OncIDEndocrine Community outreach emphasis. | Pitch bilingual consent and retention tactics. |
| Columbia-affiliated Centers (Regional) | OncCardioCNS Satellite coordination with main campus PIs. | Bring inter-site handoff SOPs and courier chain tracking. |
| Weill Cornell Medicine | OncCardioImaging Academic-industry collaborations. | Show imaging calendar + CAPA examples. |
| Albert Einstein/Montefiore | EndocrineOncPopulation Diverse cohorts; retention focus. | Pitch outreach scripts and transport assistance playbook. |
| NYU-affiliated Research Institutes | TraumaNeuroID Acute workflows; resident research roles. | Bring rapid-consent and ED documentation skills. |
| Temple / Jefferson (Philadelphia) | PulmonaryCardioOnc Respiratory diaries common. | Show spirometry and diary SOPs. |
| UPenn-affiliated Networks | Cell/GeneOncID Cutting-edge modalities. | Lead with IMP accountability detail and infusion mapping. |
| UMass Chan / Baystate | PrimaryEndocrinePulmonary Community-academic trials. | Present pre-screen to randomization conversion metrics. |
| Brown / Lifespan (Regional Sites) | CNSPsychOnc Multi-clinic coordination. | Rater scale QC and inter-clinic comms cadence. |
| Yale-affiliated Cancer Network | OncGICardio Satellite oncology units. | Show specimen chain, imaging QC, and courier SOP. |
| University of Rochester | NeuroOncImaging Rater scheduling intensity. | Bring rater calendar tools and audit trail mindset. |
| Emory Healthcare / Winship | OncIDCNS Multi-cohort designs; translational fellowships. | Show overlap-cohort Gantt and monitor-ready binders. |
| UAB Health System | OncTransplantPulmonary Inpatient complexity. | Lead with inpatient timing control and AE escalation flow. |
| University of Florida — UF Health | OncPulmonaryGI Sponsor-visible QA culture. | Pitch weekly KPI dashboard and CAPA turnarounds. |
| USF Health / Morsani | CardioOncID Large metro throughput; fellowships. | Bring screening-day throughput and ePRO tactics. |
| University of Miami / UHealth | IDOncNeuro Multilingual consents. | Show bilingual consent and PRO coaching scripts. |
| University of South Carolina / Prisma | CardioEndocrinePulmonary Community-academic strength. | Present outreach pipelines and diary adherence SOP. |
| Medical University of South Carolina | OncNeuroTransplant Hybrid designs. | Highlight inter-department handoffs and QC. |
| University of North Carolina (UNC) | GIRespPeds Fellows and residents engaged. | Show resident-friendly scheduling SOPs. |
| Duke-affiliated Community Sites | CardioPulmonaryPrimary Satellite-to-core coordination. | Inter-site logistics and courier chain mastery. |
| Vanderbilt-affiliated Clinics | GeneticsCNSPharmaco Data-dense workflows. | ALCOA+ rigor and PD logs win interviews. |
| UT Southwestern Medical Center | CardioNeuroOnc Rater and imaging endpoints. | Bring rater QC plan and imaging schedule command. |
| UTHealth Houston | TraumaIDPulmonary 24/7 consent workflows. | Show emergency consent readiness and AE escalation cadence. |
| Baylor College of Medicine (Houston) | OncCardioPeds Cross-hospital trials. | Pitch cross-site comms SOP and IMP logs. |
| University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) | IDRehabPulmonary Coastal designs; DCT-adjacent workflows. | Show teletrial SOP and transport coordination. |
| Texas Children’s / Baylor Pediatrics | PedsGeneticsOnc Guardian consent mastery; fellowships. | Bring assent scripts and family retention cadence. |
| MD Anderson (Academic) | OncCell/GeneImmuno Intensive oncology trials; research tracks. | AE narrative finesse and infusion mapping shine. |
| UT San Antonio / UT Health SA | OncEndocrineNeuro Community linkage. | Present outreach scripts and KPI dashboards. |
| UT Austin Dell Medical School | PopulationNeuroOrtho Newer research engines; fellow involvement. | Show start-up SOPs and IRB/Reg fluency. |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | EndocrinePulmonaryPrimary Rural recruitment. | Retention/playbooks and transport assistance. |
| University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | IDEndocrinePrimary Diverse populations. | Highlight bilingual consent and outreach. |
| Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia | PedsOncGenetics Family-centered PROs; fellowships. | Show family-centric retention and diary coaching. |
| Boston Children’s Hospital | PedsNeuroCardio Rater scales + imaging. | Bring rater scheduling and imaging QC checklists. |
| St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | Peds OncCell/GeneImmuno Intensive safety oversight. | AE narrative precision and guardian consent mastery. |
| Nationwide Children’s (Regional) | PedsCardioNeuro Device endpoints. | Device reconciliation + imaging calendars. |
| Cincinnati Children’s (Regional) | PedsGIPulmonary Diary focus; trainee tracks. | Diary adherence SOP + PRO coaching. |
| University of Rochester (Regional) | NeuroImagingOnc Rater-imaging pipelines. | Radiology + rater QC and CAPA speed. |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) | IDOncPulmonary Community pipelines. | Pre-screen to randomization conversions. |
| University of Virginia | CardioOncNeuro Sponsor visibility. | Monitor-day excellence + KPI habit. |
| Wake Forest School of Medicine / Atrium | OncCardioOrtho Integrated network. | Cross-site coordination + SOP harmonization. |
| Dartmouth Health | OncPalliativePulmonary Consent complexity. | Tough-consent scripts and ethics awareness. |
| University of Kentucky | OncCardioPulmonary Statewide accrual networks. | Outreach and transport coordination. |
| University of Tennessee Health Science Center | OncEndocrineNeuro Multi-hospital alignment. | Inter-hospital handoff SOPs. |
| Medical College of Wisconsin / Froedtert | OncCardioTransplant Sponsor-audit strength. | Reg binder hygiene + IMP accountability. |
| University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | PulmonaryEndocrineID Community enrollment. | Retention playbooks and SMS cadence. |
| University of Missouri / MU Health | CardioOncOrtho Imaging/device endpoints. | Device reconciliation and imaging calendars. |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | OncNeuroID Rural reach. | Outreach scripts and retention tactics. |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | CardioPulmonaryID Diverse recruitment. | Bilingual consent and diary SOPs. |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham (Regional) | TransplantOncPulmonary Inpatient workflows. | Inpatient timing + AE escalation proof. |
| LSU Health Sciences Centers | IDPulmonaryCardio Gulf South pipelines. | Outreach + bilingual playbooks. |
| University of Texas — Statewide Branches | Multi-specialtyDevicesOnc System-wide trials. | Cross-site SOP harmonization. |
| University of Colorado (Regional) | PulmonaryRheumOnc Imaging + device oversight. | Imaging QC + device logs. |
| University of Hawaii / JABSOM | IDPopulationOnc Diverse cohorts; island logistics. | Travel/transport coordination and retention. |
| University of New Mexico (Regional) | IDPedsOnc Rural engagement. | Community liaison SOPs. |
| University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine | PulmonaryEndocrinePrimary Community-based designs. | Outreach + diary adherence. |
| University of Vermont Medical Center | CardioPulmonaryOnc Regional accrual networks. | Retention and pre-screen analytics. |
| University at Buffalo / SUNY | NeuroCardioOnc Imaging-heavy endpoints. | Imaging scheduling + QC rigor. |
| Stony Brook Medicine | PulmonaryOncNeuro Sponsor-facing CTUs. | Monitor-day cadence and CAPA speed. |
| Rutgers / RWJMS | OncCardioPopulation Statewide networks. | Inter-site communication SOPs. |
| University of Connecticut Health | EndocrinePulmonaryOrtho Community trials. | Pre-screen → randomization conversion proof. |
| University of Pittsburgh / UPMC (Regional) | OncTransplantNeuro Networked sites. | Inter-site specimen chain mastery. |
| University of Maryland Medical System | CardioTraumaID Urban throughput. | Throughput KPIs + ED consent readiness. |
| George Washington University / MedStar Academic | CardioSportsOnc Device/rehab adjacency. | Rehab data capture and device logs. |
| Georgetown University — Lombardi (Regional) | OncPopulationGI DC-area sponsor access. | Sponsor-facing poise and report hygiene. |
| University of California — Systemwide | Multi-specialtyGenomicsID Cross-campus designs. | Data harmonization & SOP standardization. |
| SUNY Downstate / Kings County | IDPulmonaryPopulation Safety net trials. | Bilingual consent + retention tools. |
| Wayne State / Detroit Medical Center | IDOncCardio Urban enrollment. | Outreach pipelines and transport playbooks. |
| University of Illinois Chicago | EndocrinePulmonaryID Diverse cohorts. | Diary adherence SOP + multilingual education. |
| University of Louisville | CardioPulmonaryOnc Device/diary mix. | Device reconciliation + diary coaching. |
| University of Cincinnati (Regional) | NeuroOncImaging Rater + imaging endpoints. | Rater QC + radiology liaison strength. |
| University of Colorado (Regional Clinics) | PulmonaryOncRheum Imaging/device oversight. | Imaging QC + device logs. |
Build a 30–60 day AMC plan that wins mentors and PIs
AMCs reward process maturity. In the first two weeks, set a tiny KPI board: query aging ≤48 hours, 0 overdue SAEs, 100% visit windows met. Publish it each Friday to your PI so they feel steady hands. Anchor the board to risk management for PMs and budget oversight best practices so operations and finance both buy into your cadence. When a protocol question pops up, show your literature scan habit from conducting literature reviews and reference your ICH E6 (R3) mental model drawn from GCP mastery. If a deviation occurs, demonstrate your CAPA reflex using GCP compliance strategies—that single move turns a bad moment into trust.
Which factor most decides your AMC choice in 2025?
Interview scripts: translate your portfolio into an offer
CRC script: “I run ALCOA+ source with zero missing signatures, keep query aging under 48 hours, and pre-stage monitor days with a reg-binder checklist. When a visit-window slip happened, I applied a deviation→CAPA workflow from GCP compliance strategies and prevented recurrence.” Pair this with documentation discipline and show your project planning Gantt.
CRA-track script: “I plan visits by risk: consent, IMP, safety narratives first. I escalate per a pre-agreed cadence. I score sites weekly and feed risks into a log per risk management and I maintain evidence-ready notes aligned to GCP.”
PI-adjacent script: “I run oversight check-ins, validate delegation, and track corrective actions. Our team’s templates mirror GCP documentation so monitors don’t chase us. I can partner on protocol amendments leveraging protocol development guidance.”
Salary trajectories, fellowships, and state playbooks
Compensation at AMCs scales with specialty complexity, throughput, and supervision load. Benchmark your asks with the 2025 salary report and layer CRC salary trends to time moves. If your long-term plan is CRA or CPM, stack CRA study prep and top CRA Q&A with budget oversight so your training translates to operational control. To stand out in interviews, work test-taking strategies and exam anxiety control—you’ll speak cleanly under pressure. For regional moves (e.g., CRA in the Northeast vs. Southeast), grab a state playbook like CRA in New York to time hiring cycles.
FAQs
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Show transferable rigor. Bring a de-identified safety narrative, a monitor-day checklist, and ALCOA+ source templates. Anchor your language to GCP documentation, demonstrate a project planning Gantt, and be ready with a strong deviation→CAPA example.
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Yes, but your habits matter more: audit trails, timely queries, and clear narratives. Show readiness with GCP-grade documentation and an issue log aligned to risk frameworks.
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Pair your fellowship with GCP mastery and literature review discipline. Bring a mini-portfolio: protocol summary, source template, monitor-day plan, and a CAPA vignette from compliance strategies.
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Start tiny and consistent: query aging, visit window adherence, edit deltas, and CAPA closure time. Tie your updates to budget oversight and project planning so leadership sees operational lift.
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Build a harmonization cheat sheet: identical section names, the same signature placements, standardized attachments. Keep it enforceable with GCP documentation and a weekly QC cadence.
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Volunteer monitor-day prep, own the issue log, and drive CAPA closure. Add CRA-style prep and Q&A drills, then ask your manager for remote monitoring shadow days tied to a measurable goal (e.g., 30% faster close-out).
