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Lab Researcher information

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$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do lab researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for lab 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 lab researcher?

Lab researchers are professionals who conduct scientific experiments, investigations, and analyses in laboratory settings. They may work in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, or engineering to develop new knowledge, test hypotheses, or create innovative products. Lab researchers are responsible for designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and ensuring that laboratory procedures follow safety protocols. Their work is essential for advancing scientific understanding and technological progress.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lab researcher?

To thrive as a Lab Researcher, you need a strong background in scientific methods, analytical skills, and a relevant degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, data analysis software, and safety protocols is typically required, along with certifications like GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) when applicable. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for conducting accurate experiments, ensuring safety, and effectively sharing research findings.

What are some common challenges faced by lab researchers when working on collaborative projects?

Lab researchers often work as part of interdisciplinary teams, which can present challenges such as coordinating schedules, aligning research goals, and communicating effectively with colleagues from different backgrounds. Managing shared resources and ensuring consistent documentation are also important aspects. Developing strong organizational and interpersonal skills can help researchers navigate these challenges and contribute effectively to collaborative projects.

What is the difference between Lab Researcher vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLab ResearcherLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field; research experienceAssociate's degree or certification; technical training
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companiesClinical labs, industrial labs, manufacturing facilities
Job FocusDesigning experiments, analyzing data, developing new methodsPerforming routine tests, maintaining equipment, sample preparation

Lab Researchers typically hold higher education degrees and focus on experimental design and data analysis, often working on innovative projects. Laboratory Technicians usually have technical certifications and handle routine testing and equipment maintenance. Both roles are essential in laboratory settings but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

Do research labs pay well?

Research lab positions, including lab researchers, typically offer salaries that vary based on experience, education, and location. Entry-level roles may have modest pay, while experienced researchers with advanced degrees and specialized skills can earn higher salaries, especially in private or industry-funded labs.

How do you become a lab researcher?

To become a lab researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or related sciences is required, often followed by hands-on experience through internships or research projects. Advanced roles may require a master's or doctoral degree, along with skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and familiarity with scientific tools and protocols.

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

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

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

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

Lab Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lab Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,621 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Zhou Lab

Arc Institute

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

About Arc Institute
Arc Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology, working to accelerate scientific progress and understand the root causes of complex diseases. Founded in 2021 and based in Palo Alto, Arc partners with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco.
Unlike academia, our scientists have long-term funding and industry-like resources. Unlike industry, they're free to pursue high-risk, long-term research without commercial pressures. Arc's Technology Centers and Core Investigator labs work side by side, integrating experimental and computational biology under one roof to tackle problems neither could solve alone.
Our two Institute Initiatives reflect this model in action:
  • Virtual Cell Initiative: Building a full-stack virtual cell model to identify disease mechanisms and nominate drug targets, accelerating the path from biological insight to clinical trials.
  • Alzheimer's Disease Initiative: Mapping the genes, pathways, and environmental factors behind Alzheimer's disease to develop drug candidates that address root causes.

More than 300 Arconauts work together at our Palo Alto headquarters, backed by substantial long-term philanthropic funding.
About the position
The Zhou Lab is looking for motivated, hard-working and curious applicants. Our expertise is in single-cell epigenomic modeling. We use high-throughput single-cell multiomic technologies and build computational models to study spatiotemporal dynamics of gene regulation.
The successful candidate will play a crucial role in advancing the state-of-the-art in generative AI applied to biology, including DNA sequence, gene regulation, and perturbation modeling. You will focus on developing ML models for biological data, leveraging frontier approaches such as novel ML architectures, interpretability techniques, and more. You will also apply your models for important computational biology applications in genome mining, molecular technology development, and invention of new therapeutic approaches.
This role is a unique opportunity to advance state-of-the-art machine learning in genomics and cell biology, contribute to high-impact scientific discoveries, and help define how computational approaches shape our understanding and engineering of biology. You will work in a highly collaborative team with expert experimental biologists to realize the full impact of your work, and also have the opportunity to contribute to Institute-wide machine learning efforts such as Arc's Virtual Cell Initiative.
Post-docs will be encouraged to lead independent projects resulting in high impact publications, present at conferences and prepare for long-term careers in academia or industry.
About you
  • You are passionate about developing machine learning models with real-world applications and scientific impact.
  • You have a strong understanding of modern deep learning, computational biology, and genetics.
  • You are known for your ability to analyze/visualize complex datasets, build high-quality ML tools, draw meaningful conclusions, and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
  • You are eager to learn and adapt new techniques.
  • You are intellectually independent and are able to design new research directions and projects with input from your PI.
  • You are excited about collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of experimental biologists and machine learning researchers at Arc.
  • You are familiar with recently reported projects in the fields of AI for genomics and biological design, including DNA sequence to function models, genome language models, and single-cell foundation models.

In this position you will
  • Train and evaluate state-of-the-art machine learning models for genomics
  • Design, perform, and analyze experiments for model applications
  • Keep appropriate experimental records and documentation
  • Analyze results with the Principal Investigator
  • Collaborate with postdocs, students, and employees on model development and data analyses
  • May mentor/train research associates, technicians, and students.
  • Publish, present, and represent the Zhou lab in journals and conferences.
  • Present at lab meetings, and participate in Arc-wide activities (seminars, science socials, symposiums, etc).

Requirements
  • Doctorate (MD, PhD) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Genetics/Genomics.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and be both an independent thinker and a highly collaborative team player.

How to Apply
Please submit:
  1. CV
  2. Brief cover letter describing your research interests, what kinds of projects you're excited to lead, and why the Zhou Lab is a fit. Please be sure to include contact information for 3+ references.

The minimum base salary for this position is $80,000. Base salary for this role is determined by how many months of relevant postdoctoral experience a successful candidate has. Base salary for this role is not negotiable.

Apply