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Contract Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

FedWriters, Inc.

Contract Administrator

San Diego, CA · On-site

Overview Join our team as a Contract Administrator and support the Defense Contract Management ... Provide acquisition advisory support by researching applicable laws, regulations, and procedures

FedWriters, Inc.

Contract Administrator

San Diego, CA · On-site

Join our team as a Contract Administrator and support the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA ... Provide acquisition advisory support by researching applicable laws, regulations, and procedures

FedWriters, Inc.

Contract Administrator

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Overview Join our team as a Contract Administrator and support the Defense Contract Management ... Provide acquisition advisory support by researching applicable laws, regulations, and procedures

FedWriters, Inc.

Contract Administrator

San Diego, CA · On-site

Overview Join our team as a Contract Administrator and support the Defense Contract Management ... Provide acquisition advisory support by researching applicable laws, regulations, and procedures

Meet Life Sciences

Senior Contract Specialist

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$109K/yr

Research and manage vendor/supplier information * Coordinate workflows across Procurement, Finance ... Contracts administration, legal operations, or procurement * Biotech, pharmaceutical, medical ...

Ceribell, Inc

Clinical Researcher

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$127K - $140K/yr

This includes interacting with principal investigators (PIs), clinical teams, contracts, and ... Medical Research Background: A strong understanding of the medical research process, including ...

Ceribell, Inc

Clinical Researcher

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$127K - $140K/yr

This includes interacting with principal investigators (PIs), clinical teams, contracts, and ... Medical Research Background: A strong understanding of the medical research process, including ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsContract Researcher JobsContract Researcher Jobs in California

Contract Researcher information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do contract researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract researcher in California is $111,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract researcher?

Contract Researchers are professionals hired on a temporary basis to conduct specific research projects for organizations, universities, or companies. They typically work under contracts rather than as permanent staff, focusing on tasks such as data collection, analysis, and reporting. Their work can span a variety of fields, including science, social science, market research, and more. Contract Researchers are valued for their expertise and flexibility, often bringing specialized skills to short-term or project-based assignments.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract researcher?

To thrive as a Contract Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, experience in research methodologies, and a relevant academic background such as a degree in science or social sciences. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, R, or Python), literature databases, and ethical compliance certifications is often required. Excellent written communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or with diverse teams are vital soft skills. These competencies are crucial to delivering high-quality, credible research outcomes that meet client or project objectives.

What are common challenges faced by contract researchers and how can they be managed effectively?

Contract Researchers often work on multiple projects for different clients or organizations, which can lead to tight deadlines and shifting priorities. Managing time efficiently and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders is crucial to ensure deliverables meet expectations. Additionally, adapting quickly to new research topics and methodologies is important, as contract work can span various industries or subject areas. Building strong organizational skills and staying proactive about clarifying project scopes can help overcome these challenges.

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

AspectContract ResearcherClinical Research Associate
Required credentialsTypically a degree in life sciences, relevant certificationsDegree in health sciences, certifications like CRA certification
Work environmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizationsMonitoring clinical trials at sites, data review
Employer and industry usagePharmaceutical, biotech, CROsPharmaceutical companies, CROs, hospitals

Both roles involve clinical research but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities. Contract Researchers often focus on specific research projects or experiments, while Clinical Research Associates primarily monitor and manage clinical trial sites. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path in the clinical research industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Researcher jobs in California?

The most popular types of Researcher jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Researcher jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Researcher job openings:

Contract Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,621 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Contract Attorney (Temporary)

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA) is a place for exceptional people with outstanding ideas and the absolute willingness to bring them to life. With R&D facilities all over the U.S., you will be surrounded by engineers, software developers, and designers pushing technology boundaries to shape the future wherever you are.
We are not just about cars: we are also about the latest and greatest software, cutting-edge technology, and groundbreaking innovation.
Here at MBRDNA, you create a digital ecosystems around cars, you design a language between humans and machines, you make a car even more intelligent - you make the new reality for cars. We have an open and flexible environment to allow you to push boundaries, join MBRDNA and design your future.
Job Description
In house legal support of the business. Work on a broad array of legal issues in collaboration with the legal team, including opportunities to provide support on IP, privacy, employment, procurement, licensing, litigation, development & engineering, general corporate, commercial matters and other cutting edge legal issues and other duties as they come up in a fast-paced high-tech environment. This is a unique opportunity to get an in-depth view of being in- house counsel at a high-growth industry - auto-tech, while rolling up your sleeves to pitch in on cutting-edge legal issues. The ideal candidate is passionate about the law, eager to learn new issues, enthusiastic to work with our business teams, ready to work hard in an exciting, in fast-paced environment.
Qualifications
Skills /Experience Desired:
  • J.D. Degree from accredited law school, good academic credentials. Membership in CA Bar
  • Experience in house / corporate environment (licensing, IP, commercial contracts)
  • Contract review/drafting, technology licensing experience.
  • Research novel legal issues.
  • Self-starter, resourceful, diligent work ethics and detailed oriented.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Solution-oriented.
  • Prior public speaking / presentation experience.
  • A strong drive and desire to solve problems, with a balanced focus on both legal and business concerns, and great decision-making skills.
  • Enthusiasm for positive and respectful relationships internally and externally.
  • A pro-active, can-do attitude, good communication skills.
  • Capacity to work independently, as well as part of a team.

Additional Information
Full-time. This is a contract/temp position. Hourly pay DOE

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