Principal Investigator (Psychiatrist) – Clinical Research - Chicago, IL
Listed compensation
$175-$200/hr
The week · per this postingWeekdays only
Ask the employer about the work setting and time off.
Job Description
Principal Investigator (Psychiatrist) – Clinical Research | Part-Time | Chicago, IL
IMA Clinical Research is seeking a Board-Certified Psychiatrist (MD/DO) to join our team in Chicago, IL as a Principal Investigator. This part-time opportunity is ideal for psychiatrists interested in advancing innovative mental health treatments through clinical research in a collaborative, patient-focused environment.
Schedule: 2–3 days per week, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Compensation: $175–$200 per hour
What You'll Do
Serve as Principal Investigator for psychiatry-focused clinical trials (Phase II–IV; we do not conduct Phase I studies)
- Ensure compliance with study protocols, FDA regulations, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
- Evaluate and determine participant eligibility
- Monitor participant safety and oversee adverse event reporting
- Maintain accurate study documentation
- Collaborate with sponsors and research staff to ensure successful trial execution
What You'll Bring
MD or DO with an active, unrestricted Illinois medical license (or ability to obtain)
Board Certification in Psychiatry
- Previous clinical research or Principal Investigator experience preferred (Phase II–IV trial experience a plus)
- Excellent communication, clinical judgment, and organizational skills
Why Join IMA Clinical Research?
- Flexible part-time schedule (2–3 days per week)
- No nights, weekends, or on-call responsibilities
- Competitive hourly compensation
- Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking psychiatric research
- Collaborative, mission-driven research team dedicated to improving patient care
- The IMA Group is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Our Government Services Division supports local, state, and federal agencies and delivers professional and objective medical and psychological examinations as well as ancillary services.
Our Payer Services Division meets the evaluation and screening needs of Carriers, TPAs, Public Entities and Employers and includes behavioral health and physical medicine specialty services, working with a wide range of organizations within the workers' compensation, disability, liability, and auto markets.
Our Clinical Research Division performs all types of Phase II-IV clinical trials in multiple therapeutic areas through a flexible nationwide network of site locations and virtual capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
The Principal Investigator will oversee psychiatry-focused clinical trials, ensuring compliance with FDA regulations and Good Clinical Practice. They are responsible for evaluating participant eligibility, monitoring safety, and maintaining accurate study documentation.
Requirements
Candidates must hold an MD or DO degree with an active, unrestricted Illinois medical license and Board Certification in Psychiatry. Previous experience in clinical research or as a Principal Investigator for Phase II-IV trials is preferred.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Key Skills
Psychiatry — Physician Career Context
Of the 40 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 80% are remote, 75% have no call, 80% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$390k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $390k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 8.7 / 10 · top 10% in psychiatry | ranked against 1,909 Psychiatry listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$390k in purchasing power | Illinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Psychiatry listings in Illinois | 121 active | 1,919 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 80% remote · 75% no call · 80% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Illinois Physician listings: 25% state a sign-on bonus (median $100k) · 25% offer loan repayment1,004 active listings, Oct 2026 |
| Psychiatry pay trend | +12.2% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
| IMA Group | silver tier, 76/100 | Top Employers work-life index161 active listings |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Principal Investigator (Psychiatrist) – Clinical Research - Chicago, IL at IMA Group a 8.7 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as excellent. This places the position in the top 10% in Psychiatry — ranked against 1,909 active Psychiatry listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties, no weekend requirements, no night shifts.
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