1

Evolutionary Biologist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Adjunct Pool - Biology

Fresno, CA · On-site

$28.82/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Acknowledge the overwhelming evidence for the evolutionary biology ideas found in contemporary science textbooks. * Commitment to the Christian faith and the University's mission of Christ-centered ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Evolutionary Biologist information

See California salary details

$47.9K

$92.8K

$131.8K

How much do evolutionary biologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for evolutionary biologist in California is $92,757.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,600.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an evolutionary biologist do?

An Evolutionary Biologist studies how species change over time through genetic variation, natural selection, and environmental influences. They analyze fossil records, genetic data, and behavioral traits to understand evolutionary relationships. Their work can be applied in conservation, medicine, and biotechnology. Many evolutionary biologists conduct field research, laboratory experiments, or computational modeling to explore evolutionary patterns.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an evolutionary biologist?

To thrive as an Evolutionary Biologist, you need a solid background in biology and genetics, often supported by an advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in evolutionary biology or a related field. Proficiency with analytical and statistical software (such as R, Python, or specialized genetic analysis tools), as well as experience with laboratory techniques or fieldwork, is highly valuable. Strong critical thinking, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills are essential for interpreting data, publishing research, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies enable evolutionary biologists to effectively conduct rigorous research, contribute to scientific knowledge, and communicate findings to both scientific and public audiences.

What are some typical research settings or environments where evolutionary biologists work?

Evolutionary Biologists commonly work in a variety of settings, including universities, government research institutions, museums, and environmental organizations. Depending on their specific focus, they may divide their time between laboratory experiments, computational analyses in the office, and fieldwork in diverse outdoor environments. Collaborative projects are frequent, involving partnerships with other scientists, conservationists, or educators. The work environment tends to be dynamic and intellectually stimulating, with opportunities to contribute to peer-reviewed publications, grant writing, and public outreach efforts.

Are there jobs in evolutionary biology?

Yes, evolutionary biologists can find jobs in academia, research institutions, museums, environmental consulting, and government agencies. These roles often involve conducting research, analyzing data, and publishing findings, with skills in fieldwork, laboratory techniques, and data analysis tools like R or Python.

How much do evolutionary biologists make?

The average salary for evolutionary biologists in the United States ranges from $50,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and work setting. Those with advanced degrees and research positions at universities or research institutions tend to earn higher salaries. Salaries can also vary based on geographic location and funding availability for research projects.

What jobs can you get as an evolutionary biologist?

An evolutionary biologist can work in academia as a researcher or professor, in conservation organizations, museums, or government agencies focusing on biodiversity and species preservation. They often conduct fieldwork, analyze genetic data, and publish scientific findings, requiring skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication.

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

The most popular types of Evolutionary Biologist jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Evolutionary Biologist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 67% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 30% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,757 per year, or $44.6 per hour.

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Advisor

University of California, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA • On-site

$31.13 - $34/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


University Of California Santa Cruz rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

JOB POSTING
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.
  • How to Apply
  • Troubleshooting
  • Tips for Applicants
  • FAQ's

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .
The IRD for this job is: 05-11-2026
ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), located on the Coastal Science Campus on Monterey Bay, is a dynamic group of instructional and research units with staff committed to providing excellent service to students, faculty, and researchers. Our departmental strengths include a collegial and highly accomplished faculty, exciting research, and the integration of both graduate and undergraduate education into our research endeavors. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) faculty are devoted to the study of ecological and evolutionary processes in marine, terrestrial, and freshwater environments. The department serves approximately 1000 declared and proposed undergraduate students in four distinct majors. Class offerings, as well as research opportunities, focus on the varied natural environments in the Monterey Bay region, throughout the western US, and in more distant locations such as Mexico, France, Costa Rica, and Australia. The emphasis on field studies is a unique focus of our undergraduate majors; within this context, they address not only basic ecological and evolutionary processes but also the application of this knowledge to improve conservation strategies and environmental quality. We are a highly collaborative unit. This position works as part of an advising and student success-focused team.
More information can be found at: https://eeb.ucsc.edu/
JOB SUMMARY
The advisor for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department in the Physical and Biological Sciences Division is responsible for undergraduate outreach, orientation, and academic advising for the following majors: • Biology BA • Ecology and Evolution BS • Marine Biology MS • Plant Science BS The responsibilities of the advisor include helping students define and develop a realistic academic plan and class schedule to ensure adequate progress towards degree objectives (including revisions throughout a student's career), monitoring student progress through grades and other performance indicators, assisting with enrollment issues, advertising and discussing scholarship and research opportunities with qualified students, providing support for students who need academic support or connections with other student support services.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $31.13/hour - $34.00/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
Schedule Information:
  • Full-time, Fixed
  • Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
  • Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
  • Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment
Job End Date: None
Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus
Union Representation: SV Union
Job Code Classification: 005140 (STDT ACAD ADVISOR 2 SV)
Travel: Never or Rarely
JOB DUTIES
70% - STUDENT ADVISING
  • Monitors and evaluates students' completion of academic requirements; includes administrative support for major declaration and graduation processing.
  • Applies professional concepts to independently provide prescriptive advice and assistance to students on academic and degree progress and major requirements for the department.
  • Assists students in determining a major, alternative academic options, scheduling conflicts, and similar issues.
  • Identifies student needs for programs and services.
  • Refers students to non-academic resources as appropriate.
  • Applies articulated courses to degree requirements and certifies degree completion.
  • Advises on moderately complex issues such as multiple degrees, or withdrawal from the University.
  • Communicates and exchanges information with other units of the organization and makes referrals to help students with their academic program (e.g., health service, disabled students program, college advisers, transfer center, other academic departments, Career Success, EOP, etc.).
  • Provides information to students on programs with special, clearly articulated eligibility requirements such as honors programs, awards, fellowships, scholarships, and advanced level courses.

20% - PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
  • Advises department on scheduling needs for student course progression and requirements completion.
  • Develops, publishes, and maintains program information online, in publications and newsletters or other means of regular communication with students with interest in degree programs in department.
  • Collaborates with and makes valuable contributions to the Physical and Biological Sciences Advising Team (other undergraduate advisors, department managers and divisional analysts) to coordinate class offerings, plan for key events and deadlines, and develop and share best practices.
  • Provides assistance and training to faculty advisors (helping them to understand and interpret policy and procedures related to undergraduate academic degree progress and completion.

10% - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
  • Maintains detailed and precise records.
  • Develops, coordinates, and supports all aspects of department-sponsored undergraduate program-related events.
  • Represents department on standing and ad-hoc campus and divisional committees.
  • Maintains cross-training relationships with other advisers in the Physical and Biological Sciences.
  • Periodically fills in for other advisors when needed and provides training to new advising staff in the departments in the Physical and Biological Sciences.
  • Prepares and maintains training materials, job documentation, and departmental best practices in advising.
    Works on special projects, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
  • Basic knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively and professionally with students, faculty, staff and parents, all with various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  • Ability to make presentations to small and large audiences.
  • Computer skills sufficient for preparation and management of a large volume of email, shared documents, databases, spreadsheets, and presentations using standard office programs (MS Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro database, etc.) and ability to learn new systems.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion when handling confidential situations or materials.
  • Demonstrated research, statistical, and analytical skills with ability to recall, retrieve, and communicate detailed information quickly, accurately, and clearly both verbally and in writing, including preparation of concise written summaries.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills sufficient to independently set priorities and maintain a professional manner within a complex and fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work effectively under the pressure of specific timelines and deadlines.
  • Skills in problem-solving to effectively solve multi-faceted problems within an administrative context.
  • Demonstrated flexibility, initiative, productivity, and efficiency.
  • Knowledge of barriers to student success and intervention techniques to help students overcome difficulties.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Knowledge of departmental courses (including prerequisites, corequisites and enrollment limitations), curricular offerings, and majors.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
  • Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
  • Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
  • Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
  • The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
  • Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
  • Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
  • Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
  • Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
  • The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
  • Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
  • "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
    • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
    • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
    • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT
All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/ .
This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
EEO/AA
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy .
It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obliga

What University Of California Santa Cruz employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom