Lightship is a clinical trial site organization delivering on-site, hybrid, and virtual trials through a single, trusted partner. Our expanded reach model places each visit in the most practical setting, increasing access, strengthening enrollment and engagement, and improving representation across diverse communities.

Our investigators and study teams follow participants across all visit types, supported by a unified SOP framework and shared technology backbone. This continuity preserves oversight, streamlines study conduct, and gives sponsors auditable visibility across the entire participant journey.

With a growing footprint of eight physical sites and mobile research units (MRUs) that extend site capabilities into the community, Lightship increases access for participants who might otherwise be out of reach. Our 96 percent retention rate, 30-plus sponsor audits, and multiple FDA engagements reflect a strong quality record that gives sponsors confidence in a reliable path to high-performing trial execution.

We’re building trial experiences that reflect real life: expanding reach, reducing burden, and bringing better therapies to market faster.

Overview 

Lightship is a virtual-first clinical research company working to improve how clinical trials are delivered. Our hybrid model, broad clinical capabilities, and in-house patient care team help sponsors run studies efficiently while improving the participant experience. 

The Full-Time Contract Clinical Research Nurse delivers high-quality care to study participants in their homes, mobile research units, and clinical sites. This role supports study activities under the direction of investigators and clinical study leads. 

The ideal candidate is dependable, self-directed, and comfortable working independently. 

This role requires approximately 80% travel by car, train, and/or air to participant homes and research facilities within the assigned region. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Support investigators, sub-investigators, and other Lightship team members in the successful execution of research studies. 

• Provide research nursing services to eligible study participants at home and in clinics or other settings. 

• Perform protocol-required clinical procedures and assessments, such as vital signs collection, biospecimen collection and processing, and conducting ECGs. 

• Prepare, coordinate, and ship ambient, refrigerated, and frozen biospecimen samples on time, including dry ice shipments when needed. 

• Administer investigational medications or educate participants on administration, including topical, oral, IM, IV injection, and IV infusion routes as needed. 

• Report findings, issues, and potential adverse events identified during study visits to the Principal Investigator and study team. 

• Educate participants on study procedures, answer questions with compassion and cultural/age-awareness, and escalate questions to the appropriate study personnel when needed. 

• Document study data in paper and electronic patient records, as applicable, and serve as a primary contact for participants, investigators, and study staff. 

• Support the informed consent process as requested and delegated by the investigator, sub-investigator, or designated personnel. 

• Coordinate general study operations, including start-up and close-out activities as needed. 

• Order clinical and study supplies, materials, and equipment ahead of scheduled visits. 

• Help participants, investigators, and study staff resolve issues with supplies, equipment, or vendors. 

• Complete all Lightship and study-specific training on time. 

• Participate in site initiation and monitoring visits and support internal and external audits as requested. 

• Manage business expenses accurately and submit expense reports and required documentation on time. 

• Perform other study-related duties as assigned. 

Required Skills and Qualifications 

• Strong adult and pediatric venipuncture skills. 

• Experience processing, centrifuging, and aliquoting biosamples, preferably in a clinical research setting. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Timely maintenance of email and internal messages required. 

• Ability to identify and resolve problems proactively. 

• Ability to build positive, long-term relationships with participants, caregivers, and families. 

• Ability to remain calm and professional when working with participants, physicians, and research staff. 

• Ability to manage travel and visit-related logistics independently. 

• Willingness to maintain clinical compliance and submit all required health and vaccination documentation on time. 

• Willingness to receive an annual influenza vaccine and COVID-19 boosters as recommended by the CDC. 

Education, Licensure, and Experience 

• Associate degree in nursing required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred 

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association preferred 

• Current valid multistate RN license required; additional state RN licenses are a plus. 

• Current vaccination record, including full COVID-19 vaccination, required 

• At least two years of recent clinical nursing experience in a hospital, clinic, or similar healthcare setting 

• At least two years of sponsored clinical research experience in pharma or biotech 

• Knowledge of nursing skills within scope of practice, including vital signs, nursing assessments, ECG/EKGs, IM injections, and venipuncture 

• Knowledge of medical terminology, drug calculations, and general clinical medicine 

• Current Category B Biological Substances shipping certification preferred 

• Physical ability to perform nursing duties and lift equipment weighing up to 15 kg 

• Valid driver's license 

• Consistent access to a reliable vehicle for any local participant visits 

• Ability to book and manage travel accommodations as needed 

• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish preferred 

What We Offer 

• An opportunity to help reshape clinical research with inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility at the center 

• The chance to work with a patient-centered, clinically focused, collaborative team delivering virtual-first clinical research solutions at scale 

• A strong growth opportunity within an established startup backed by industry veterans, leading investors, and a large market opportunity 

• Competitive compensation