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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Pacifica, CA

Whether your ambition is to grow here at BillionToOne or ultimately pursue graduate studies, this position would be a solid foundation for your scientific career. The Research Associate is an on-site ...

Whether your ambition is to grow here at BillionToOne or ultimately pursue graduate studies, this position would be a solid foundation for your scientific career. The Research Associate is an on-site ...

Rigorous basic and translational research experience/training during graduate/research training. * Significant experience in standard laboratory techniques (such as microbiology and handling ...

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Graduate Research Associate information

See Pacifica, CA salary details

$18

$37

$54

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Pacifica, CA is $37.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.19 and $42.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research associate?

Graduate Research Associates are graduate students, often pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, who assist faculty members or research teams with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, preparing research reports, and sometimes co-authoring publications. These positions help students gain practical research experience and develop skills relevant to their academic and professional careers.

What are some typical challenges graduate research associates face when balancing research responsibilities with coursework or teaching duties?

Graduate Research Associates often juggle multiple commitments, including research, coursework, and sometimes teaching assistantships. Managing time effectively can be challenging, especially when project deadlines and academic requirements overlap. Many associates develop strong organizational and communication skills to handle shifting priorities, and it's common to coordinate closely with advisors to set realistic goals and expectations. Proactively seeking support from peers and utilizing university resources can also help in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate research associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Associate, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies, typically supported by enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly lab equipment or coding languages is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and time management are critical soft skills for producing high-quality research and collaborating with faculty and peers. These skills are vital for conducting rigorous research, contributing to academic publications, and advancing both individual and institutional research goals.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Associate vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate Research AssociateResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in a graduate program; may have a bachelor's degreeUsually holds a bachelor's degree; some roles require a master's
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, or industry R&D departmentsResearch labs, academic settings, or fieldwork environments
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, and industry R&D teamsUniversities, government agencies, and private companies

The Graduate Research Associate role generally involves advanced research responsibilities within academic or industry settings and often requires enrollment in a graduate program. Research Assistants typically support research projects with less independent responsibility and may have fewer educational prerequisites. Both roles are essential for research projects but differ mainly in educational status and scope of responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Pacifica, CA?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Pacifica, CA are:

What cities near Pacifica, CA are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Pacifica, CA with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Pacifica, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,995 per year, or $37.5 per hour.

$104K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

The Research Associate position at BillionToOne is exceptionally rare at the undergraduate or early-career level. At BillionToOne, you will do much more than simply run routine protocols. Your work will have shape the development of high-impact molecular diagnostic products that are actively changing patient outcomes in both oncology and prenatal medicine. This is your chance to contribute to building novel molecular tests that help patients from day one.

You will work alongside and be mentored by scientists with interdisciplinary expertise across molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and quantitative modeling. You will have the chance to use cutting-edge molecular techniques, next-generation sequencing, and robotic tools to move assays from research prototypes to analyzing thousands of real patient samples in our clinical lab as a commercially available product. Whether your ambition is to grow here at BillionToOne or ultimately pursue graduate studies, this position would be a solid foundation for your scientific career.

The Research Associate is an on-site position in our Menlo Park, CA office.

Who We're Looking For:
  • Strong statistical and quantitative skills: You think rigorously about data. You understand the difference between signal and noise, appreciate the importance of statistical power, and bring quantitative reasoning to every problem.
  • Meticulous attention to experimental detail: You understand that the quality of an experiment determines what we can learn from it. You keep rigorous records, design careful controls, and take pride in work that others can rely on and build upon.
  • Ambition to make a difference now: You aren't here to punch the clock. You want to understand why things work, push the boundaries of what's known, and do what it takes to see your contributions show up in products that help real patients.

Responsibilities:

  • Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments and assays under the guidance of Senior Scientists
  • Learn analytical and computational methodologies to analyze results under the guidance of Senior Scientists
  • Present scientific findings both verbally at group meetings and via internal written reports
  • Document experimental details and results
  • Collaborate with other teams to implement lab and bioinformatic workflows
  • Contribute positively to organizing and maintaining the R&D lab

Qualifications:

  • BS or MS in Bioengineering, Molecular and Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, or related field
  • 1-2 years of research experience (either during BS/MS or afterwards)
  • Previous experience with standard molecular biology techniques (in particular, extensive experience with PCR, electrophoresis, DNA purifications)
  • An ability to quickly learn mathematical, analytical, and experimental concepts
  • High mathematical and statistical aptitude (e.g., you find the GRE math section to be extremely easy)
  • Great attention to detail

Nice-To-Haves:

  • Start-up experience
  • Knowledge of medical genetics
  • Experience in a cell-free DNA setting
  • Experience with next-generation sequencing library preparation
  • Experience with computational analysis in R, Python, or other programming language

Benefits And Perks:

  • Working alongside brilliant, kind, passionate and dedicated colleagues, in an empowering environment, toward a global vision, striving for a future in which transformative molecular diagnostics can help millions of patients
  • Open, transparent culture that includes weekly Town Hall meetings
  • The ability to indirectly or directly change the lives of hundreds of thousands patients
  • Multiple medical benefit options; employee premiums paid 100% of select plans, dependents covered up to 80%
  • Extremely generous Family Bonding Leave for eligible employees (16 weeks, paid at 100%)
  • Supplemental fertility benefits coverage 
  • Retirement savings program including a 4% Company match
  • Increase paid time off with increased tenure
  • Latest and greatest hardware (laptop, lab equipment, facilities)
  • Daily on-site lunches provided from top eateries
  • A variety of perks on campus (state of the art gym, restaurant)
  • Free on-site EV charging (compatible with all EVs, including Tesla)

At BillionToOne, we are proud to offer a combination of a (1) base pay range (actual amount offered is based on experience and salary/equity options split that the candidate chooses), (2) generous equity options offering, (3) corporate bonus program, on top of (4) industry leading company benefits (free healthcare options, 401k match, very generous fully paid parental leave, etc.).

For this position, we offer a total compensation package of up to $104,322 per year, including a base pay range of $75,029 - $85,748 per year.

BillionToOne is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.