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Junior Research Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Meissner

Research Associate II - Cell Culture

Camarillo, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join our cell culture research team as a Research Associate II, where you'll perform advanced laboratory testing, drive method development, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative, fast-paced ...

Meissner Filtration Products

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join our cell culture research team as a Research Associate II, where you'll perform advanced laboratory testing, drive method development, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative, fast-paced ...

CEDENT

Senior Research Associate In Vivo

Pasadena, CA · On-site

The Senior Research Associate will work closely with client scientists, executing and refining ... Mentor and train junior lab members, promoting a positive and collaborative research environment.

BPS Bioscience, Inc.

Research Associate II

San Diego, CA · On-site

$24 - $32/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... junior level technicians. Responsibilities: Operates laboratory equipment; contributes to ... Performs calculations to complete research test results; collates data; performs statistical ...

BPS Bioscience

Research Associate II

San Diego, CA · On-site

$24 - $32/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... guidance to junior level technicians. Responsibilities: * Operates laboratory equipment ... Performs calculations to complete research test results; collates data; performs statistical ...

BPS Bioscience

Research Associate II

San Diego, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... junior level technicians. Responsibilities: Operates laboratory equipment; contributes to ... Performs calculations to complete research test results; collates data; performs statistical ...

BPS Bioscience, Inc.

Research Associate II

San Diego, CA · On-site

$24 - $32/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... guidance to junior level technicians. Responsibilities: • Operates laboratory equipment ... research test results; collates data; performs statistical analysis of lab results and maintain ...

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All JobsResearch Associate JobsJunior Research Associate JobsJunior Research Associate Jobs in California

Junior Research Associate information

See California salary details

$28.6K

$56.9K

$122.9K

How much do junior research associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior research associate in California is $56,897.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,400.00 and $58,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectJunior Research AssociateResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, some roles may prefer a master'sTypically a bachelor's degree or ongoing education
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, industry settingsLaboratories, field sites, academic environments
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, biotech companiesUniversities, research projects, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level research roles with similar responsibilitiesEntry-level support role assisting senior researchers

The main difference between a Junior Research Associate and a Research Assistant lies in their responsibilities and qualifications. Junior Research Associates typically have more advanced education and handle more independent research tasks, while Research Assistants focus on supporting research activities under supervision. Both roles are common in academic and industry research settings, but the Junior Research Associate position often requires a higher level of expertise and offers greater responsibility.

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

To thrive as a Junior Research Associate, you need a solid background in research methodologies, data analysis, and a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree, such as in science or social science. Familiarity with statistical software (like SPSS, R, or Python), laboratory equipment, and research documentation systems is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring accurate, reliable research outcomes and effective collaboration within research teams.

What is a junior research associate?

Junior Research Associates are entry-level professionals who assist in conducting research projects across various fields such as science, social sciences, or business. They typically support senior researchers by collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, and helping with literature reviews. Their role is essential in ensuring that research projects run smoothly and efficiently, often providing administrative and technical support. Junior Research Associates also gain valuable experience that helps them progress to more advanced research positions.

What are some common challenges faced by junior research associates when managing multiple research projects simultaneously?

Junior Research Associates often juggle several projects at once, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Balancing deadlines, coordinating with multiple team members, and adapting quickly to shifting project requirements are frequent hurdles. To succeed, it's important to communicate proactively with supervisors, keep organized records, and seek guidance when prioritizing tasks. Developing strong organizational skills early can help ensure you meet expectations and contribute effectively to your research team.

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

The most popular types of Junior Research jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Junior Research Associate jobs in California?

For Junior Research Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Research Associate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Research Associate jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Junior Research Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Junior Research Associate job openings:

Junior Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Research Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,897 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Research Associate II - Cell Culture

Meissner Filtration Products

Camarillo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Are you passionate about precision, problem-solving, and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery? Join our cell culture research team as a Research Associate II, where you'll perform advanced laboratory testing, drive method development, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Who is Meissner?
The goal at Meissner is to be more than simply good; it is to be extraordinary. Extraordinary performance comes from extraordinary people.
Meissner as a group is passionate about helping our clients manufacture lifesaving and life enhancing drugs, therapies, and vaccines. We develop, manufacture, supply and service advanced microfiltration products and single-use systems worldwide.
We know that when you are passionate about what you do, it's more than just a job.
Meissner is focused on the development of the whole individual, and we have programs and tools in place to help us stay at our best mentally and physically. In alignment with our commitment to support the growth and development of the whole individual, Meissner has inaugurated a Learning and Development department to solely focus on cultivating our team. When you grow, we grow.
How you will make an impact:
The Research Associate II, under general supervision, performs intermediate to advanced laboratory testing related to cell culture studies. This role supports daily culture operations, contributes to method development, and performs analytical testing and troubleshooting to ensure reliable experimental outcomes. The Research Associate II assists in project coordination and may train junior staff. This position challenges an experienced laboratory professional to expand technical and project responsibilities in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
  • Perform and optimize cell culture operations, including cryopreservation, thawing, expanding, maintaining, and banking mammalian and specialized cell lines with minimal supervision.
  • Independently perform and optimize cell culture experiments such as batch, fed-batch, and/or perfusion.
  • Scale-up cultures from flasks to bioreactors, such as shake flasks, spinner flasks, wave bags, or bench-top bioreactors.
  • Monitor cell growth, viability, and productivity using analytical tools such as Vi-Cell, Cedex, Revvity.
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data, prepare detailed technical reports, and present results in written or oral form to the project team. Write experimental protocols and SOPs.
  • Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve routine technical issues while contributing to the improvement of protocols and workflows.
  • Lead coordination efforts across the team to establish and maintain inventory systems, forecast consumable needs, and schedule equipment maintenance. Proactively identify bottlenecks in resource availability and recommend process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Manage day-to-day responsibilities with a high degree of consistency and accuracy, anticipating workflow bottlenecks and reprioritizing as necessary to meet deadlines.
  • Own documentation and record management for all cell culture activities, ensuring complete traceability and regulatory compliance.
  • Contribute to the development, revision, and maintenance of SOPs by applying technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and process understanding.
  • Train and mentor junior research associates by providing technical guidance, onboarding support, and feedback to ensure alignment with laboratory standards and best practices.
  • Champion safety and compliance across cell culture operations by staying current with regulatory changes, recommending updates to SOPs, and mentoring team on best practices.

The skills and experience you'll need:
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field; relevant hands-on lab training or coursework accepted.
  • 3+ years of relevant laboratory experience is required, with prior cell culture experience strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated expertise in laboratory techniques and biopharma processes.
  • Experience troubleshooting problems, optimizing procedures, and ensuring best practices.
  • Demonstrates consistent professional maturity, including emotional intelligence and adaptability.
  • Excellent English Language written and verbal communication skills comfortable presenting findings and documenting complex procedures.
  • Advanced analytical and quantitative skills: perform complex calculations across multiple units of measurement; interpret data using statistical concepts (percentages, ratios, standard deviations), and identify trends to inform operational decisions.
  • Ensure compliance with detailed instructions and protocols.
  • Maintains exceptional organizational systems with attention to detail, consistently ensuring data integrity, regulatory compliance, and quality standards.
  • Advanced proficiency with MS Office software including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe.
  • Ensures cross-functional collaboration while maintaining independent accountability, managing multiple projects with minimal oversight, coordinating with team members to achieve laboratory objectives, and mentoring junior staff on technical and procedural standards.

Don't meet every single requirement? Apply anyway.
What we can offer you:
  • Full Medical, Dental and Vision coverage with HSA Employer Contributions for eligible plans
  • Additional Perks- HQ Onsite Full Gym, Ultramodern Coffee Bars, Free EV Charging Stations, Employee Discounts
  • 401k, Profit Sharing, 401k Advisory Services
  • Company Sponsored Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Anniversary Holiday

Ready to make an impact? Let's talk.
Meissner is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
US BASE PAY SCALE $26.36 - $40.22 / hour
The base pay scale for this role is what Meissner reasonably expects to pay for the position although actual pay may vary from this scale depending on an applicant's experience.

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