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In Vitro Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TCWGlobal

In Vitro Pharmacology Scientist

San Diego, CA · On-site

$54.48/hr

In Vitro Pharmacology Scientist (Contract) Pay Rate: Up to $54.48/hour Duration: 12-Month Temporary Assignment Hours: Full-Time Location: San Diego, CA (Onsite) Summary We are seeking a highly ...

Aequor

$105K - $144K/yr

Senior Scientist, In Vitro ADME Location: Onsite - Emeryville, CA Duration: 18 months Pay Rate: ***/hr - ***/hr About the Role We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Senior Scientist to ...

Merck & Co.

Senior Scientist, In Vitro ADME

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

Senior Scientist, In Vitro ADME Location: Onsite - Emeryville, CA Duration: 18 months Pay Rate: ***/hr - ***/hr About the Role We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Senior Scientist to ...

New

LanceSoft Inc

Scientist I

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

The candidate must have experience in conducting in vitro ADME assays and familiarity with quantitative bioanalysis to support development of novel small molecule therapeutics as detailed below:

ALOIS Solutions

Senior Scientist

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$105K - $144K/yr

Design, develop, and execute in vitro ADME assays to support drug discovery and candidate optimization. * Conduct ADME screening studies, including but not limited to microsomal stability, hepatocyte ...

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How much do in vitro jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for in vitro in California is $16.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an in vitro job?

In vitro jobs refer to positions that involve conducting experiments or research outside of a living organism, typically in a controlled laboratory environment such as test tubes or petri dishes. These roles are common in the fields of biology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, where scientists study cells, tissues, or biological molecules to understand processes or test the effects of drugs. In vitro specialists may work as research associates, scientists, or laboratory technicians, performing assays, analyzing data, and maintaining laboratory equipment. Their work is critical for advancing medical research, drug development, and diagnostic testing.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in in vitro research, and how can they be managed?

Professionals in In Vitro research often face challenges such as maintaining the integrity and reproducibility of experimental results, troubleshooting unexpected outcomes, and keeping up with rapidly evolving laboratory technologies. Managing these challenges involves rigorous attention to detail, strong documentation practices, and continuous learning through professional development. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, such as biologists, chemists, and data analysts, is also key to successfully navigating complex projects and advancing research objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an in vitro laboratory scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an In Vitro Laboratory Scientist, you need a solid background in cell biology, biochemistry, and laboratory techniques, typically supported by a degree in life sciences or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instruments (e.g., PCR, ELISA, cell culture systems), data analysis software, and regulatory compliance (such as GLP or GMP) is crucial. Precision, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving skills are key soft skills for ensuring accurate experimental results. These skills and qualities are essential for producing reliable data that drive scientific research and product development.

What is the difference between In Vitro vs In Vivo Research Scientist?

AspectIn Vitro Research ScientistIn Vivo Research Scientist
Work EnvironmentLaboratories with cell cultures and test tubesAnimal facilities and live subject testing
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in biology, biochemistry, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in biology, pharmacology, or related fields
Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, academic researchPharmaceutical, biotech, academic research
Research FocusCell-based experiments, molecular analysisWhole organism studies, physiological responses

In Vitro and In Vivo Research Scientists both work in biomedical research but differ in their focus. In Vitro scientists conduct experiments in controlled lab environments using cell cultures, while In Vivo scientists study live organisms. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are common in pharmaceutical and biotech industries, but their work environments and research methods vary significantly.

What are popular job titles related to In Vitro jobs in California?

For In Vitro jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching In Vitro jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for In Vitro jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for In Vitro jobs?

Cities in California with the most In Vitro job openings:

In Vitro jobs near you
Infographic showing various In Vitro job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 88% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,826 per year, or $16.3 per hour.

In Vitro Pharmacology Scientist

TCWGlobal

San Diego, CA • On-site

$54.48/hr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

In Vitro Pharmacology Scientist (Contract)

Pay Rate: Up to $54.48/hour

Duration: 12-Month Temporary Assignment

Hours: Full-Time

Location: San Diego, CA (Onsite)


Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative In Vitro Pharmacology Scientist to support drug discovery programs within a growing pharmacology team. In this role, you will contribute to multiple multidisciplinary drug discovery projects, supporting lead optimization campaigns and new target screening efforts through the development, optimization, and execution of robust biochemical and cell-based assays.



The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with a broad range of in vitro biological assays and tissue culture, strong experimental design and data analysis skills, and the ability to independently plan and execute experiments. Experience with CNS-focused primary cell culture, GPCRs, kinases, ion channels, automation, and pharmacology assay development is highly valued.


What You'll Do

• Develop, optimize, validate, and execute biochemical and cell-based in vitro pharmacology assays to support drug discovery programs

• Design and perform experiments that generate high-quality, reproducible structure-activity relationship (SAR) data for lead identification and optimization

• Execute routine pharmacology assays while supporting multiple discovery projects and new target screening efforts

• Develop and conduct mechanism-of-action (MOA) studies to characterize compound activity and biological effects

• Perform cell and tissue culture using recombinant and/or primary cells, including CNS-relevant models

• Conduct pharmacology studies such as neurite outgrowth, electrophysiology, multi-electrode array (MEA), immunostaining, and related functional assays as applicable

• Analyze and interpret biochemical, cell-based functional, and binding assay data to identify promising compounds and understand potency and mechanism of action

• Present experimental findings, data analyses, and scientific conclusions to internal and external project teams

• Document experimental protocols, results, and conclusions in electronic laboratory notebooks and other laboratory systems

• Track assay performance and identify opportunities to improve assay robustness, research quality, and laboratory efficiency

• Work with automated liquid handling systems and laboratory equipment to support high-throughput and reproducible assay execution

• Identify experimental issues, recognize anomalous data, troubleshoot technical challenges, and recommend appropriate solutions

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams to advance multiple projects while maintaining data quality and reproducibility

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across assay development, laboratory processes, and research workflows


What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, or another relevant scientific discipline with 2+ years of in vitro pharmacology experience

OR

• Master's degree in a relevant scientific field with related industry experience

OR

• PhD in Biology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, or a related discipline with relevant experience in cell culture and in vitro biological assay development

• Hands-on experience developing, optimizing, and executing in vitro biological assays

• Practical experience with biochemical and cell-based assays, including GPCRs, kinases, ion channels, or related pharmacology platforms

• Experience with primary cell culture and tissue culture; CNS-related experience is highly desirable

• Strong experimental design, troubleshooting, data analysis, and scientific interpretation skills

• Ability to independently plan and execute experiments while following established scientific and laboratory processes

• Experience recognizing data anomalies and identifying potential experimental or process issues

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining accuracy, quality, and reproducibility

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly present scientific findings

• Strong organizational and time management skills with excellent attention to detail

• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

• Comfortable working with radioisotopes in accordance with applicable laboratory procedures and safety requirements


Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience with CNS-focused pharmacology or neuroscience drug discovery

• Experience with GPCR-focused in vitro assays

• Experience with electrophysiology-based assays

• Experience with multi-electrode array (MEA) assays or neurite outgrowth assays

• Experience with automated liquid handling systems and high-throughput screening

• Familiarity with LIMS, laboratory informatics, inventory management, and data analysis systems

• Experience using modern laboratory automation and instrumentation

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug discovery programs

• Experience working with radioisotopes in a regulated laboratory environment