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Life Science Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Collate

AI Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

You'll work side by side with engineers, product, and Life science experts to ensure that ... experienced startup builders. Upside: Join a company early enough to have meaningful equity and ...

Collate

AI Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

You'll work side by side with engineers, product, and Life science experts to ensure that ... experienced startup builders. Upside: Join a company early enough to have meaningful equity and ...

Collate

AI Research Scientist

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

You'll work side by side with engineers, product, and Life science experts to ensure that ... experienced startup builders. Upside: Join a company early enough to have meaningful equity and ...

Anthropic

Life Sciences Operator, Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$300K - $320K/yr

Work hands-on with Claude and Claude Science to explore hypotheses, design and analyze research ... Previously founded or joined as a founding team member of a biotechnology startup * Excellent ...

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AI Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Comfort working in an early-stage startup where ambiguity is high and ownership is expected. * Motivation to apply AI to life sciences in a way that prioritizes reliability, safety, and impact. Why ...

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AI Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Comfort working in an early-stage startup where ambiguity is high and ownership is expected. * Motivation to apply AI to life sciences in a way that prioritizes reliability, safety, and impact. Why ...

Collate

AI Engineer

San Francisco, CA

Comfort working in an early-stage startup where ambiguity is high and ownership is expected. * Motivation to apply AI to life sciences in a way that prioritizes reliability, safety, and impact. Why ...

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Life Science Startup information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a life science startup?

To thrive at a Life Science Startup, you need a strong background in biological sciences, biotechnology, or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree or relevant experience. Technical expertise in laboratory techniques, data analysis software, and regulatory compliance systems is commonly required. Initiative, adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly are key soft skills in this setting. These competencies are crucial for navigating the fast-paced, multidisciplinary nature of startups, driving innovation, and translating scientific discoveries into viable products.

What is a life science startup?

A Life Science Startup job involves working at an early-stage company focused on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or healthcare innovations. Employees in these roles may work in research, product development, regulatory affairs, or business operations. Startups often require a mix of scientific expertise and entrepreneurial mindset, with employees taking on diverse responsibilities. These jobs can be fast-paced and dynamic, offering opportunities for innovation and rapid career growth.

What are some typical challenges of working at a life science startup, and how can I prepare for them?

Working at a life science startup often involves navigating rapid changes, limited resources, and shifting priorities as the company grows and pivots. Team members are usually expected to wear multiple hats, balancing scientific research with project management, regulatory tasks, or business development activities. To succeed, it's important to be comfortable with uncertainty, proactive in problem-solving, and open to learning new skills outside your core area of expertise. Bringing a collaborative mindset and willingness to adapt will help you thrive and contribute meaningfully to the startup’s mission and success.

What are popular job titles related to Life Science Startup jobs in California? For Life Science Startup jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Life Science Startup jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Life Science Startup jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Life Science Startup jobs? Cities in California with the most Life Science Startup job openings:
Life Science Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Life Science Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Hybrid job distribution.

Life Sciences Operator, Lead

Anthropic

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

About the role

As part of our growing investment in building capabilities for drug discovery and development, we're looking for an exceptional biotech operator to help accelerate research in these areas. Our north star is to speed up progress in drug development by an order of magnitude, and this role is central to that goal: bringing sharp scientific judgment and operational expertise to identify where AI can have the greatest impact, and the drive to turn those insights into real results.

This role is for an entrepreneurial operator with proven hands-on experience generating and translating therapeutic hypotheses in a biotech setting. You should be self-directed and multi-disciplinary - equally comfortable shaping the strategic direction of our life sciences work, partnering closely with our research, product, and go-to-market teams, or working hands-on with Claude, including tools like Claude Science, to explore hypotheses, design and analyze research, and demonstrate what's newly possible for scientists.

The ideal candidate has grown up professionally in an organization that prioritizes scientific and executional rigor- for example, at a high-growth life sciences company or a leading science-focused investment or venture firm - and brings a rare blend of scientific depth, operating ability, and biotech fluency.

Key responsibilities
  • Identify and prioritize the areas where AI can most meaningfully accelerate life sciences research
  • Turn promising scientific ideas into concrete, well-scoped efforts and see them through with speed and ownership
  • Translate ambiguous scientific questions into structured, testable plans with clear milestones
  • Work hands-on with Claude and Claude Science to explore hypotheses, design and analyze research, and show what's newly possible
  • Partner across research, product, and go-to-market to shape strategy and bring scientific work to life
  • Serve as a trusted scientific voice, communicating clearly with both technical and business audiences
Minimum qualifications
  • A strong scientific and operating background with direct experience taking ideas from concept to results in a company setting; MD/PhD not required
  • Have grown up professionally in a multidisciplinary role at a high-growth life sciences company or a leading science-focused investment or venture firm
  • Previously founded or joined as a founding team member of a biotechnology startup
  • Excellent scientific taste and entrepreneurial instinct - a track record of identifying and capitalizing on compelling opportunities before they are obvious
  • The wherewithal to execute independently; you are senior enough to have real judgment, but hands-on enough to build things yourself
  • A unique blend of scientific and business literacy, and are comfortable moving fluidly between the two
Preferred qualifications
  • 7+ years of direct experience taking ideas from concept to results in a company setting
  • Comfort navigating ambiguity and building in a fast-moving, frontier environment

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