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Biophysics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Saint Louis University

$55K - $74K/yr

Premila's research group ( at Saint Louis University invites applicants for a postdoctoral research associate position in computational biophysics. The successful candidate will lead project(s ...

Astera

Scientist - Computational Biophysics

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$100K - $180K/yr

About Astera: Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and ...

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Biophysics information

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$62.2K

$132.9K

$211.7K

How much do biophysics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for biophysics in California is $132,941.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,600.00 and $156,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can a biophysicist do?

A biophysicist studies the physical principles underlying biological systems, often working in research laboratories, universities, or healthcare settings. They may analyze biological data, develop models, or use tools like microscopy and spectroscopy to understand cellular processes, contributing to fields such as medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in biophysics?

To thrive in Biophysics, you need a strong background in physics, biology, mathematics, and computational modeling, typically with an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. or M.S. in biophysics or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instruments (like spectroscopy and microscopy), simulation software, and possibly certifications in relevant computational tools is often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this interdisciplinary field. These competencies are crucial for designing experiments, interpreting complex data, and facilitating collaboration between scientific teams.

Is biophysics a good career?

Biophysics is a multidisciplinary field combining biology and physics, often requiring advanced degrees such as a Ph.D. or master's. Careers in biophysics can include research, academia, or industry roles, with job prospects influenced by scientific expertise, technical skills, and research experience. The field offers opportunities in laboratories, healthcare, and biotechnology sectors, but competition can be high for research positions.

Do biophysicists make good money?

Biophysicists typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced roles in research, industry, or academia may offer higher compensation, especially for those with specialized skills or advanced degrees such as a Ph.D.

What are some common career paths or advancement opportunities for someone working in biophysics?

A career in Biophysics offers several avenues for advancement, depending on your interests and expertise. Professionals in this field can progress from research assistant or associate roles to lead scientist or principal investigator positions in academic, government, or private-sector labs. With experience, biophysicists may transition into management roles, such as laboratory director, or pivot into related fields like biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, or scientific consulting. Additionally, there are opportunities to move into teaching or science policy roles, and ongoing professional development can help open doors to leadership or interdisciplinary project management positions.

What does a biophysicist do?

A Biophysicist applies principles of physics and mathematics to study biological systems at a molecular or cellular level. They use techniques like spectroscopy, microscopy, and computational modeling to understand processes such as protein folding, DNA mechanics, and neural signaling. Their work contributes to advancements in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science. Biophysicists often work in academic research, pharmaceuticals, or healthcare industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Biophysics jobs in California? The most popular types of Biophysics jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Biophysics jobs in California? For Biophysics jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Biophysics jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Biophysics jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Biophysics jobs? Cities in California with the most Biophysics job openings:
Biophysics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Biophysics job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 75% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $132,941 per year, or $63.9 per hour.

Senior Scientist, Drug Discovery Biochemistry & Biophysics

Integrated Biosciences, Inc.

Redwood City, CA • On-site

$112K - $153K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Senior Scientist, Drug Discovery Biochemistry & Biophysics
About Integrated Biosciences
At Integrated, we arefocused onadvancing small molecule therapeutics for age-related diseases. We have built a first-of-its-kind discovery platform at the intersection of phenotypic models of aging, chemistry, and AI. Backed by top-tier VCs, and with recent publications in Cell (2025), Nature (2024), Nature Aging (2023), and Nature Protocols (2025), we're rapidly expanding our senior scientific team to accelerate our growing pipeline.
About the Role
We're seeking a driven and highly skilled Senior Scientist to build and execute our protein biochemistry, biophysics, and drug discovery assay capabilities. In this role, you will design, produce, and characterize high-quality recombinant proteins, develop robust biochemical and biophysical assays, and build focused cellular assay cascades that connect target engagement and mechanism to cellular pharmacology. Your work will generate decision-quality data on potency, selectivity, mechanism, kinetics, reversibility, compound artifacts, and molecular and cellular biology.
You'll partner closely with the rest of our biology team along with medicinal chemistry to turn screening hits into mechanistically understood and optimizable chemical matter. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working at the interface of protein science, biophysics, cell-based pharmacology, and small molecule drug discovery.
If you're someone who loves making difficult assays work, understanding how compounds engage their targets to influence biology, and using rigorous quantitative data to guide drug discovery decisions, we want to hear from you.
You will
Protein Production & Characterization
  • Design, express, purify, and characterize recombinant proteins to support biochemical, biophysical, target engagement, and structural studies.
  • Develop construct, tag, truncation, mutation, and purification strategies, and apply analytical methods (SEC, SDS-PAGE, activity, LC-MS, DLS, thermal shift etc.) to assess protein purity, identity, oligomeric state, stability, and assay suitability.

Biochemical, Biophysical & SAR-Enabling Assays
  • Develop, validate, and run biochemical and biophysical assays (FR, TR-FRET, AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA, DSF, enzymatic, SPR, BLI) to support hit validation, SAR, selectivity, mechanism of action, and lead optimization.
  • Generate quantitative data on affinity, potency, kinetics, residence time, reversibility, competition, allostery, selectivity, and design orthogonal assays.
  • Partner with medicinal chemistry to interpret SAR, prioritize compounds, and shape assay strategy.

Focused Cellular Mechanism & Target Engagement Assays
  • Build focused cell-based assays that connect biochemical /biophysical target engagement to cellular pharmacology, covering target engagement, pathway modulation, biomarker response, potency, selectivity and counterscreens.
  • Develop fit-for-purpose readouts (e.g. high content cell imaging, qPCR, reporter, viability) for SAR and mechanism.

You're a good fit if you have
  • PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, chemical biology, structural biology, pharmacology, cell biology, or a closely related field.
  • 3-5 years of industry experience in small molecule drug discovery, developing biochemical, biophysical, and/or cellular assays
  • Hands-on experience in recombinant protein expression, purification, and analytical characterization, independently generating high-quality reagents for quantitative assays.
  • A strong grasp of assay development principles, (robustness, reproducibility, dynamic range, signal-to-background, Z', CV etc.).

Bonus Points For
  • Experience with structural biology methods such as NMR, X-ray crystallography, or cryo-EM.
  • Familiarity with aging biology, senescence, mitochondrial function, proteostasis, inflammatory signaling, metabolic pathways, or other age-related disease biology.
  • Experience leveraging AI and coding agents in the context of drug discovery, computational chemistry, and leveraging large-scale biological datasets to augment drug discovery.

Location & Logistics
  • Visa sponsorship available where applicable. We'll work with you to make it happen.
  • This role will be located at Redwood LIFE in Redwood City, CA, a modern and stunning life sciences complex in the Bay Area.
  • Start date: immediate.
  • We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Compensation & benefits
We offer a highly competitive salary, substantial equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical and dental coverage, company-provided lunch, 401k match, and others.

Apply