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Biologist Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

On-call Field Biologist

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$28 - $40/hr

The chosen candidate will complete a range of biological studies, including research, field surveys, technical reporting,and construction monitoring. KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: The ideal ...

On-call Field Biologist

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$65 - $95/hr

The chosen candidate will complete a range of biological studies, including research, field surveys, technical reporting,and construction monitoring. KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: The ideal ...

New

Information Technology (IT), Clinical Research, Rehabilitation Therapy and Nursing. Our Client is looking to hire Cell Biologist Vaccine Research seeks to discover novel vaccines (prophylactic and ...

Showing results 21-40

Biologist Researcher information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$88.2K

$136.2K

How much do biologist researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for biologist researcher in California is $88,233.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,700.00 and $119,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a biologist researcher do?

A Biologist Researcher studies living organisms and their relationship to the environment. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to scientific understanding in fields such as genetics, ecology, microbiology, or zoology. Their work often involves designing and performing laboratory or field research, publishing findings in scientific journals, and collaborating with other scientists. Biologist Researchers play a crucial role in advancing knowledge that can impact medicine, conservation, agriculture, and many other areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a biologist researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Biologist Researcher, you need a solid background in biological sciences, strong analytical skills, and typically a bachelor's or advanced degree in biology or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, molecular biology techniques, data analysis software, and sometimes certifications in laboratory safety are important. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication make candidates stand out in research environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for conducting accurate experiments, interpreting results, and contributing valuable insights to scientific knowledge.

What are some common challenges biologist researchers encounter when working on long-term projects?

Biologist Researchers often face challenges like securing consistent funding, adapting to unexpected experimental results, and managing large datasets over extended periods. Collaboration and clear communication with team members are vital to address these challenges, as research projects typically involve interdisciplinary teams. Additionally, staying current with technological advances and regulatory requirements can be demanding but is essential for successful project outcomes and career progression.

What is the difference between Biologist Researcher vs Marine Biologist?

AspectBiologist ResearcherMarine Biologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Biology or related field; research experienceBachelor's or Master's in Marine Biology, Biology, or related; fieldwork experience
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, field sitesOcean, coastal areas, research vessels, laboratories
Employer & IndustryUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesMarine research centers, environmental organizations, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Biologist Researchers focus on general biological studies across various environments, often working in labs and research facilities. Marine Biologists specialize in ocean and marine ecosystems, conducting fieldwork in aquatic settings. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in their specific work environments and focus areas.

How to become a research biologist?

To become a research biologist, typically a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field is required, followed by advanced degrees such as a master's or Ph.D. for research roles. Gaining experience through internships, developing skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing, and staying current with scientific literature are also important steps.

What are popular job titles related to Biologist Researcher jobs in California?

For Biologist Researcher jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Biologist Researcher jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Biologist Researcher jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Biologist Researcher jobs?

Cities in California with the most Biologist Researcher job openings:

Infographic showing various Biologist Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,233 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

$79K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist with analyzing ongoing surveys related to fish populations or marine environments.

  • Coordinate communications and activities with state, federal, or non-federal partners involved in marine or fishery projects.

  • Support the implementation of research and data collection activities in marine biology and fishery science.


Job description

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Science and Technology (OST), with one vacancy in Anchorage, AK; La Jolla, CA; Miami, FL; Woods Hole, MA; Silver Spring, MD; or Seattle, WA.Qualifications:

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position may be filled with series 0482 (Fish Biology)/1530 (Statistician). Each series requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience or a substitution of education for experience (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:
To qualify for the 0482 series:
EDUCATION:
A. Degree: major in biological science that included:

  • At least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fishery biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, fish culture, or related courses in the field of fishery biology; and
  • At least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences in such subjects as general zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, entomology, parasitology, ecology, cellular biology, genetics, or research in these fields. (Excess course work in aquatic subjects may be used to meet this requirement when appropriate.)

OR
B.Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), of which a minimum of 6 semester hours were in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours were in the animal sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
To qualify for the 1530 series:
EDUCATION:
A. Degree: That included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.
-AND-
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Assisting with analyzing ongoing surveys; and
  • Assisting with coordination of communications and activities with state, federal or non-federal partners.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower level may be combined with experience.
To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Coordinating or planning projects based on parameters such as overall objectives, milestones, expected results, and constraints;
  • Managing the collection, evaluation and reporting of marine recreational statistics for internal or external stakeholders; and
  • Developing questionnaires, quality control methods, reporting methods, or outreach and educational activities.
Education:

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.

Employment Type: OTHER