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Academic Research Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Staff Research Associate I is responsible for participating in the day-to-day operations of ... academic research experience, e.g. college-level research * Strong oral/written communication ...

The Staff Research Associate I is responsible for participating in the day-to-day operations of ... academic research experience, e.g. college-level research * Strong oral/written communication ...

... Associate to join an innovative biotechnology company developing next-generation diagnostic ... Industry, academic research, internship, or laboratory experience supporting protein manufacturing ...

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Academic Research Associate information

See California salary details

$15

$32

$49

How much do academic research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for academic research associate in California is $32.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.44 and $37.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an academic research associate?

Academic Research Associates are professionals who support research projects within universities or other educational institutions. Their responsibilities typically include collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, and assisting with the preparation of papers, presentations, and grant applications. They often work under the supervision of principal investigators or faculty members. This role is critical in advancing knowledge within a specific field and often serves as a stepping stone for those pursuing academic or research-focused careers.

What is the difference between Academic Research Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectAcademic Research AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in relevant fieldMaster's or PhD in related discipline
Work EnvironmentUniversities, academic labs, research institutionsResearch labs, industry R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily academia and educational institutionsIndustry, government agencies, private sector
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Academic Research Associate and a Research Scientist lies in their work environment and typical employer. Academic Research Associates usually work within universities or academic institutions focusing on educational research, while Research Scientists are often employed in industry or government labs working on applied research and product development. Both roles require strong research skills and relevant degrees, but their career paths and daily tasks differ based on their organizational setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an academic research associate?

To thrive as an Academic Research Associate, you need strong analytical skills, research methodology expertise, and a relevant degree (often a master's or PhD in a related field). Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS or R), academic databases, and citation management tools is typically required. Excellent written communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills help distinguish top candidates. These abilities are crucial for producing high-quality research, interpreting data accurately, and contributing effectively to academic projects.

What are some common challenges academic research associates face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Academic Research Associates often juggle several research projects at once, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Balancing data collection, literature reviews, and collaboration with faculty or external partners requires strong organizational skills and adaptability. It’s common to encounter competing deadlines, so effective communication with supervisors and team members is key to ensuring projects stay on track. Utilizing project management tools and regular check-ins can help manage workload and maintain high-quality research outcomes.
What are the most commonly searched types of Academic Research jobs in California? The most popular types of Academic Research jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Academic Research Associate jobs in California? For Academic Research Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Academic Research Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Academic Research Associate jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Academic Research Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,511 per year, or $32.9 per hour.

Academic Research Scientist/Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

UC Davis Health System

Antelope, CA • On-site

$80K - $220K/yr

Other

Posted 8 days ago


UC Davis Health rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Academic Research Scientist/Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Position Overview:

The salary range for this position is $80,800-$220,900. This position includes membership in the https://aadocs.ucdavis.edu/policies/apm/apm-670.pdf, which provides for eligibility for additional compensation. The salary range listed is for base compensation only and may be adjusted depending on qualifications and experience. The salary range does not include variable compensation and is subject to the individual department compensation plan.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE/FULL PROFESSOR

University of California, Davis, Health System

Sacramento, California

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of California (UC) Davis, School of Medicine is seeking 1-2 full-time dynamic academic research investigators at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level in the Adjunct, In Residence, Regular, or Regular/In-Residence series. The candidate should develop or have an established independent hypothesis-based research program pertinent to neurodegenerative conditions, neurodevelopment, diagnostic and therapeutic disease biomarkers, cancer, nutrition or immunology.

Successful candidates will have a strong interest and/or experience in one or more of the specialties identified above. They will be expected to develop and sustain nationally recognized, independent research programs supported by extramural funding with salary support such as NIH and other federal or foundation sources. The candidate is required to work cooperatively and collegially within a diverse environment, and demonstrate the ability to build and maintain productive professional relationships with medical and technical staff, trainees, and others. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build on the many strengths in the department, UC Davis Health and UC Davis campus including, but not limited to, strong collaborative relationships with the Alzheimer Disease Center, MIND Institute, the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for Comparative Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, the California National Primate Center and more. These resources provide a rich environment for translational discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and high-impact biomedical research.

The successful candidate will develop and write advanced experimental protocols in their specialty and will demonstrate the ability to prepare, organize and communicate research results through publications and presentations. Service activities may include participating in appropriate professional societies and educational organizations, including taking on leadership roles in such organizations.

Teaching duties may include didactic lectures, seminars and laboratory teaching to undergraduate or graduate students, and/or small group teaching of residents, fellows, medical students, graduate students, and students in other health professional programs.

All faculty must demonstrate the ability to foster collegiality and work collaboratively in a diverse environment and adhere to university policies and procedures.

For the full position description and to apply, visit https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06909.

UC Davis conducts more than 11 million clinical tests annually in state-of-the-art clinical laboratories. Annual anatomic pathology volumes equate to: 24,000+ surgical pathology, 9,108+ gynecologic cytology, 3,777+ non-gyn cytology and 2,642 fine needle aspiration biopsies. The laboratory includes a total laboratory automation system for clinical chemistry and hematology, one of the newest and most comprehensive throughout inland northern California. Clinical services are organized into subspecialty teams to provide focused expertise for clinical teams and to enhance collaborative relationships with our clinical colleagues.

The program has many award-winning faculty educators and hosts 16 residents in combined anatomic and clinical pathology training. Fellowships include cytology, hematopathology, informatics, transfusion medicine and two subspecialty surgical pathology fellowships (gynecologic/breast and gastrointestinal/liver).

The UC Davis Department of Pathology is ranked among the top 40 academic pathology departments for NIH funding departments nationally, and our faculty are integrated as leaders and/or collaborators in every research theme within the UC Davis Health System, with special strengths in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, novel tissue imaging and informatics/artificial intelligence. The department founded the new Center for Diagnostic Innovation (CDxI) which provides resources and expertise to support clinical trials and new test development, and serves as an epicenter for improving test delivery, decision-making, quality programs, and utilization. Core research services available in CDxI and elsewhere in the department include histology and tissue microarray, biorepositories, genomics, and proteomics.

The UC Davis School of Medicine is part of the UC Davis Health System, which is also comprised of the UC Davis Medical Center, the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, and the UC Davis Medical Group, an 800-member physician practice network. UCDHS has more than 10,000 faculty and staff and an annual budget of $1.6 billion; UC Davis is an established leader in the use of telecommunications and information technology to advance health. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the SOM among the top 50 medical schools in the nation.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/9729913

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