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Contract Research Associate Jobs in San Rafael, CA

System One

Sr Research Associate I

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$39 - $42.93/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Contract Compensation: $39-$42.93 Work Model: Onsite Hours: 40.0 hours per week Overview Leading biotechnology company looking for an experienced Sr. Research Associate I. Ideal candidates should ...

System One

Sr Research Associate I

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$39 - $42.93/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Contract Compensation: $39-$42.93 Work Model: Onsite Hours: 40.0 hours per week Overview Leading biotechnology company looking for an experienced Sr. Research Associate I. Ideal candidates should ...

System One

Sr Research Associate I

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$39 - $42.93/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Contract Compensation: $39-$42.93 Work Model: Onsite Hours: 40.0 hours per week Overview Leading biotechnology company looking for an experienced Sr. Research Associate I. Ideal candidates should ...

Abbott

Clinical Research Associate II

Alameda, CA · On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Clinical Research Associate II Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and ... Contract Research Organization (CRO) selection and management, selection and training of ...

Abbott

Clinical Research Associate II

Alameda, CA

$81K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Clinical Research Associate II Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and ... Contract Research Organization (CRO) selection and management, selection and training of ...

Abbott

Clinical Research Associate II

Alameda, CA · On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Clinical Research Associate II Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and ... Contract Research Organization (CRO) selection and management, selection and training of ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsContract Research Associate JobsContract Research Associate Jobs in San Rafael, CA

Contract Research Associate information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

$18

$36

$52

How much do contract research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract research associate in San Rafael, CA is $36.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.23 and $41.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract research associate?

A Contract Research Associate (CRA) is a professional who is typically hired on a contractual basis to support and manage clinical trials or research projects. Their primary responsibilities include monitoring research sites, ensuring compliance with protocols and regulations, collecting and verifying data, and maintaining proper documentation. CRAs play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and safety of clinical studies, often working for pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), or academic institutions. The contract nature of the role means that assignments are usually project-based and may vary in duration and scope.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract research associate?

To thrive as a Contract Research Associate, you need a solid background in life sciences or a related field, attention to detail, and experience with clinical research processes. Familiarity with regulatory systems like FDA guidelines, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), data management tools, and electronic data capture (EDC) systems is typically required. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently or in teams help set candidates apart. These competencies ensure that clinical trials are conducted accurately, compliantly, and efficiently, supporting successful research outcomes.

What are some typical challenges faced by contract research associates when managing multiple studies simultaneously?

Contract Research Associates often juggle several clinical trials at once, which can pose challenges in time management and prioritization. Balancing the requirements of different sponsors, adhering to varying protocols, and ensuring accurate documentation for each study demand strong organizational skills. Additionally, staying up to date with regulatory changes and effective communication with site staff are crucial to avoid delays and ensure compliance. Developing efficient workflows and leveraging project management tools can help address these challenges.

What is the difference between Contract Research Associate vs Clinical Research Coordinator?

AspectContract Research AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, often in life sciences; certifications like CCRP beneficialBachelor's degree in health sciences or related field; certifications like CCRP or CCRC advantageous
Work EnvironmentTypically in pharmaceutical or biotech companies, contract research organizations (CROs)Usually in hospitals, clinics, or research sites
Employer & IndustryPharmaceutical companies, CROs, biotech firmsHospitals, academic medical centers, research institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles support clinical trials, a Contract Research Associate primarily works for pharmaceutical or biotech companies managing trial processes remotely or at sites, often on a contractual basis. A Clinical Research Coordinator typically works directly at research sites, coordinating patient visits and data collection. Both roles require similar credentials and certifications, but their work environments and employer types differ.

What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Contract Research Associate jobs?

Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Contract Research Associate job openings:

Contract Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Research Associate job openings in San Rafael, CA 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 $75,450 per year, or $36.3 per hour.

Research Associate, LNP Formulation

Kelly Services

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

$43 - $48/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Research Associate, LNP Formulation for a 3-month contract opportunity with one of our clients, a biotechnology company in South San Francisco focused on extending human health span. If you’re passionate about bringing the latest scientific discoveries to life and are ready to take the next step in your career, trust The Experts at Hiring Experts.
Position type: 3-month contract
Workplace: Onsite in South San Francisco, CA
Pay Range: $43 - 48.00 per hour
Overview
We are looking for a dynamic, driven Senior/Research Associate to join our pioneering Delivery Sciences team and help shape the future of nucleic acid therapeutics. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) development, where your expertise will directly impact the advancement of transformative gene-editing and reprogramming technologies.
What You’ll Achieve
  • Design, formulate, and optimize lipid nanoparticles for delivering nucleic acids across a spectrum of in vitro and preclinical models, translating fundamental science into real-world impact.
  • Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary Epigenetic Editing and Product teams (Immunology, Metabolism, Vascular) to innovate reprogramming therapeutics and scale up LNP solutions from proof-of-concept to production.
  • Develop and refine LNP compositions, purification protocols, and analytical workflows; establish robust, reproducible methodologies to ensure seamless production for a rapidly growing pipeline.
  • Anticipate future needs—proactively plan for formulation innovations, material sourcing, and lab readiness to support ambitious research and development initiatives.
  • Bring clarity to complex biological data: interpret, present, and leverage insights to drive strategic decision-making across Delivery Science and Preclinical Development.
  • Uphold the highest standards of scientific record-keeping in an Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN)—ensuring traceable, reproducible experiments.
Who You Are
  • Hold an MS in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline, with 2+ years of relevant industry experience—or possess equivalent hands-on expertise.
  • Experienced in designing and assembling LNPs using a range of lipid chemistries and mixing technologies for nucleic acid delivery.
  • Skilled in purification processes, including dialysis, tangential flow filtration (TFF), ultracentrifugation, and sterile filtration.
  • Expert in LNP characterization, leveraging analytical technologies such as DLS, LC-UV/CAD, CGE, fragment analysis, osmolality, MALS, ELISA, and fluorescence-based plate assays.
Bonus Skills
  • Experience advancing drug products through preclinical or clinical development, particularly in nucleic acid delivery.
  • Specialized knowledge in liver biology or targeted LNP delivery to hepatocytes.
  • Familiarity with bioconjugation, surface modifications, or engineering LNPs with targeting moieties for cell type specificity.
  • Proficient in data visualization and statistical analysis tools (R, Python), enabling impactful communication and data-driven innovation.
Once you apply, you’ll proceed to the next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don’t worry – even if this position doesn’t work out, you’re still in our network. That means our team of expert Science & Clinical recruiters will have access to your profile, making your opportunities limitless.
#P1
 
As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals-it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.