Optometry Research Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan , which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride .
Departmental Overview
At the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, we have long lived by defining principles that guide us and differentiate us. As a part of a world-renowned university that embraces excellence and access, we foster an environment of trust and mutual respect, free expression and inquiry, and personal resilience and achievement. We are strongly committed to diversity, respect for cultural differences, and promoting social justice. These principles serve us daily in our reasonings and actions and aid us in our decision making.
We educate an estimated 320 students annually. Our O.D. program is a 4-year program with clinical training provided at 2 campus clinics, 10 satellite clinics (community care), 7 VA clinics, and 24 external clinics across the country. Our one-year post-graduate residency programs provide advanced clinical education in specialty areas of optometry to 18 residents with placement on and off campus, and our Vision Science program consists of 40 PhD students.
Position Summary
The Clinical Research Coordinator is an individual who is interested in advanced training in clinical research, including human research study design, clinical trial operations, research data management and biostatistical analysis. The purpose of this position is to train an individual who has an O.D. degree and has experience in diagnosing, managing, and treating conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system but has little to no experience in clinical research and conducting clinical trials. This Staff Research Associate III will be trained and involved in the conducting clinical trials at the CRC from start to finish, and they will also have the opportunity for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at major scientific conferences.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is August 19, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities
50%

• Participate in the design and execution of clinical studies for the evaluation of ocular surface disease and contact lens-related complications, which may involve investigations of developmental contact lenses, novel lens care solutions, and other experimental eye care products.
• Interpret clinical outcomes and contribute to technical and observational clinical reports.

20%

• Collaborate with biostatisticians in generating and interpreting complex statistical analyses of study data.

10%

• Publish clinical results in the peer-reviewed professional literature and present novel findings at professional scientific and clinical conferences.

10%

• Actively contribute and participate in weekly lab meetings.

10%

• Engage in continued professional development and maintain or advance current optometric knowledge and skills.

Required Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with staff and document research findings.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in identifying problems and seeking advice and assistance.
• Demonstrate ability to multi-task and exercise good judgment, problem solve, prioritize workload, and be flexible.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including an interest in an aptitude in working with staff who have varying levels of responsibility within the organizational structure at different clinical sites.
• Meticulous, well-organized, and detail-oriented.
• Demonstrate ability to work well in a team setting and meeting all deadlines as assigned.
• Demonstrate excellent attendance and reliability.
• Knowledge and skills of optometry essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to this position.
• Knowledge associated with diagnosing eye diseases and varying conditions.
• Professional skills in delivering eye care, treatment and diagnostic services to patients.
• Requires strong communication and presentation skills.
• Must be able to work in a collaborative manner with staff, faculty, and members of the health care community across the campus.
• Position must be able to work with a diverse client group.
• Position must be able to provide direction and guidance to less experienced staff members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in medical/clinical setting.
• Genuine interest in optometry and clinical research.
• Experience with data management and analysis, such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in a science or health-related field, and/or equivalent training or experience. (Required)
• Doctor of Optometry, (OD) (Preferred)

Licenses / Certifications

• Possession of a license issued by the California State Board of Optometry to practice optometry (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $45.84 (step 13) - $52.64 (step 20) .

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a part-time (24 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html

Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.