1

Microscopy Scientist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Principal Scientist with expertise in optical design, microscopy, and functional imaging to join our team. This role bridges the disciplines of science ...

New

Using advanced techniques in analytical chemistry, microscopy, surface analysis, and engineering sciences, we help clients solve complex challenges across the product lifecycle. What sets EAG apart ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Microscopy Scientist information

See California salary details

$49.8K

$128.4K

$171.7K

How much do microscopy scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for microscopy scientist in California is $128,413.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,100.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a microscopy scientist?

A Microscopy Scientist is a specialist who utilizes various microscopy techniques to analyze materials, biological samples, or nanostructures at high magnifications. They work in research, quality control, and diagnostics across industries such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and biotechnology. Their responsibilities include operating and maintaining microscopes, preparing samples, interpreting data, and contributing to advancements in science and technology.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a microscopy scientist?

As a Microscopy Scientist, your daily tasks often include preparing and analyzing samples, operating advanced microscopy equipment, capturing and interpreting images, and documenting findings. You may also spend time maintaining instruments, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with researchers or engineers from other disciplines. Regularly presenting data, contributing to project meetings, and assisting with method development or protocol optimization are common as well. This mix of hands-on work and teamwork helps drive innovation and accurate results in both academic and industry settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a microscopy scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Microscopy Scientist, you need a strong background in biology, materials science, or related fields, combined with expertise in advanced microscopy techniques and image analysis. Familiarity with instruments such as electron, confocal, or atomic force microscopes, as well as software like ImageJ or MATLAB, is typically required, and specialized training or certifications are advantageous. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies enable accurate sample analysis, high-quality data production, and effective collaboration within multidisciplinary research and development teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Microscopy Scientist jobs in California?

The most popular types of Microscopy Scientist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Microscopy Scientist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Microscopy Scientist job openings:

Infographic showing various Microscopy Scientist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,413 per year, or $61.7 per hour.

Microscopy Scientist -- Tissue Processing & Expansion Microscopy Mid · Engineering 5w

Protocol Labs, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

About Eon

Eon is building large-scale connectomic data collection systems to enable safe and scalable brain emulation technology. Our mission is to help bring human intelligence into the digital age.

We are looking for a scientist to help build robust tissue processing and expansion microscopy pipelines for high-resolution volumetric imaging of mammalian brain tissue.

The Role

We are looking for a scientist to lead and improve the processing, staining, and preparation of mammalian brain tissue for high-resolution volumetric optical imaging.

This role sits at the intersection of tissue processing, expansion microscopy, fluorescence imaging, and pipeline development. You will work closely with researchers, animal teams, and engineering teams to build robust and reproducible workflows that integrate cleanly into Eon’s broader imaging pipeline.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who is excited to develop new protocols, troubleshoot messy real‑world biological systems, and push tissue preparation methods toward greater quality, consistency, and scale.

What You’ll Work On

Your work may include:

  • optimizing staining of large mammalian neural tissue for strong, reproducible signal quality
  • developing and improving expansion microscopy pipelines for large tissue samples
  • refining tissue processing methods to improve quality, consistency, and throughput
  • executing signal amplification strategies to improve signal‑to‑noise ratio
  • validating antibodies and other staining reagents for use in neural tissue
  • characterizing processed tissue using fluorescence microscopy and integrating samples into volumetric imaging workflows
  • collaborating across teams to improve upstream and downstream pipeline performance
  • developing new protocols for thick tissue staining, section handling, and whole‑brain processing
About You

We are looking for someone with strong scientific judgment, high agency, and deep comfort working in a fast‑moving experimental environment.

You should be excited by the idea of building new workflows rather than just running established ones. The right person for this role is detail‑oriented, highly hands‑on, and motivated by the challenge of making complex biological systems more reliable and scalable.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in neuroscience, biology, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, chemistry, or a related field
  • strong hands‑on experience with neural tissue processing, staining, immunofluorescence, and microscopy‑based workflows
  • experience with tissue‑processing methods for high‑volume, high‑resolution imaging, such as expansion microscopy, CLARITY, or related approaches
  • familiarity with neuroanatomy and preservation of tissue architecture
  • understanding of fluorescence, fluorophore labeling chemistry, and signal amplification methods
  • ability to perform basic bioconjugation chemistry
  • familiarity with standard and advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques, including confocal and light‑sheet microscopy
  • strong experimental judgment and comfort iterating on protocols in a fast‑moving research environment

Advanced degrees are preferred for candidates who will lead protocol development, but equivalent practical experience is equally valued.

Nice to Have
  • experience working with neural tissue samples or large‑volume staining workflows
  • experience developing new tissue‑processing or sample‑preparation protocols
  • familiarity with whole‑brain or large‑scale imaging pipelines
  • experience working closely with microscopy, animal, or engineering teams in a cross‑functional setting
Example Projects

Examples of projects you may work on include:

  • developing protocols for staining neural tissue samples greater than 1 mm with antibodies and small‑molecule stains
  • improving the preparation or synthesis of staining reagents with stronger fluorescent signal
  • processing mammalian brain tissue at scale for microscopic analysis
  • regularly performing expansion microscopy on tissue samples and improving the robustness of the workflow
  • building a tissue‑preparation pipeline that feeds directly into large‑scale connectomic imaging
Compensation

Competitive salary. Based on experience, initiative, leadership skills, and independent work and equity.

#J-18808-Ljbffr