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Pharmaceutical Research Associate Jobs in California

MEDVACON

Research Associate - pharma

Foster City, CA

Company Description MEDVACON Life Sciences works with many leading pharmaceutical companies to hire ... This is a sample management and a logistics role for a Research Associate to join the Analytical ...

MEDVACON

Research Associate - pharma

Foster City, CA · On-site

Company Description MEDVACON Life Sciences works with many leading pharmaceutical companies to hire ... This is a sample management and a logistics role for a Research Associate to join the Analytical ...

RD Partners

Research Associate I

Foster City, CA · On-site

$39.85/hr

R&D Partners is seeking to hire a Research Associate I in Foster City, CA . Your main ... We provide job opportunities within major pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and ...

Hearst

Research Associate

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

S. health plans, retail pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit managers; and millions of healthcare ... The Research Associate will be responsible for accurately processing and maintaining pharmaceutical ...

Hearst

Research Associate

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

S. health plans, retail pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit managers; and millions of healthcare ... The Research Associate will be responsible for accurately processing and maintaining pharmaceutical ...

Hearst

Research Associate

South San Francisco, CA

S. health plans, retail pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit managers; and millions of healthcare ... The Research Associate will be responsible for accurately processing and maintaining pharmaceutical ...

Hearst

Research Associate

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

S. health plans, retail pharmacies, and pharmacy benefit managers; and millions of healthcare ... The Research Associate will be responsible for accurately processing and maintaining pharmaceutical ...

Stratevi

Research Associate

Santa Monica, CA

$75K/yr

We are a boutique firm that partners with biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device ... Research Associates work across the HEOR and Market Access teams, supporting team members ...

BEPC INC

Be Seen First

Research Associate

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$32 - $35.38/hr

In Vivo Research Associate Location: South San Francisco, CA 94080 Employment Type: W2 Contract ... Previous experience within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or regulated research environment.

Stratevi

Senior Research Associate

Santa Monica, CA

$95K/yr

We are a boutique firm that partners with biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device ... This Senior Research Associate role may work across the HEOR team, supporting our RWE and/or Health ...

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All JobsPharmaceutical Research Associate JobsPharmaceutical Research Associate Jobs in California

Pharmaceutical Research Associate information

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$32

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How much do pharmaceutical research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for pharmaceutical research associate in California is $32.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.87 and $36.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a pharmaceutical research associate do?

A Pharmaceutical Research Associate is responsible for supporting clinical trials and research studies that help develop new medications and treatments. Their duties include collecting and analyzing data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and assisting with the documentation and reporting of research findings. They work closely with scientists, clinical investigators, and regulatory bodies to ensure the accuracy and integrity of research processes. This role is crucial in advancing medical knowledge and bringing new drugs to market safely and efficiently.

What are some common challenges faced by pharmaceutical research associates when managing multiple clinical trials simultaneously?

Pharmaceutical Research Associates often juggle several clinical trials at once, which can present challenges such as coordinating timelines, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining clear communication with cross-functional teams. Balancing the priorities of different studies, troubleshooting unforeseen issues, and adapting to evolving protocols require strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Effective time management and proactive collaboration with clinical monitors, data managers, and regulatory specialists are essential to successfully navigate these complexities and maintain high-quality research standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pharmaceutical research associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pharmaceutical Research Associate, you need a solid background in life sciences, chemistry, or pharmacology, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines, and analytical instruments like HPLC or mass spectrometry is typically required. Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure accurate data collection, regulatory compliance, and the efficient advancement of pharmaceutical research projects.

What is the difference between Pharmaceutical Research Associate vs Clinical Research Coordinator?

AspectPharmaceutical Research AssociateClinical Research Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree in life sciences, often with industry certificationsBachelor's degree in health sciences or related field, often with clinical research certifications
Work EnvironmentPharmaceutical companies, research labs, biotech firmsHospitals, clinics, research sites
Industry UsageDrug development, preclinical and clinical trials in pharmaOverseeing clinical trial processes at research sites
Job FocusAssisting in drug research, data collection, and analysisManaging patient recruitment, data entry, and trial coordination

The Pharmaceutical Research Associate primarily focuses on supporting drug development within pharmaceutical companies, while the Clinical Research Coordinator manages clinical trial activities at research sites. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications but differ in work environment and specific responsibilities.

How do I become a pharmaceutical research associate?

To become a pharmaceutical research associate, typically a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, biology, chemistry, or a related field is required. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions and developing skills in laboratory techniques and data analysis are important steps; some roles may also require knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and regulatory guidelines.

What is the role of pharmaceutical research associate in pharma?

A pharmaceutical research associate conducts experiments and analyzes data to support drug development and testing. They often work in laboratories, using scientific methods, and may assist in regulatory documentation and quality control processes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pharmaceutical Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pharmaceutical Research Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,799 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

Research Associate II/ Senior Research Associate, Therapeutics

Epicrispr Biotechnologies

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Title: Research Associate II/ Senior Research Associate, Therapeutics
Location: South San Francisco, CA
Department: Therapeutics
Reports To: Principal Scientist, Therapeutics

Opportunity:

Join our Therapeutics team as a Research Associate II or Senior Research Associate and help translate CRISPR-based epigenetic therapies into clinical candidates. You'll design and execute experiments, drive data-driven problem-solving, and take increasing ownership of projects targeting ocular and rare genetic diseases. This is an excellent opportunity to grow as a hands-on scientist in a dynamic biotech environment.

Position Summary

You'll be at the bench designing and executing the experiments that unlock the therapeutic potential of CRISPR-based gene regulation. In this role, you'll characterize novel therapeutics across multiple dimensions, activity, potency, mechanism of action, and translational viability using disease-relevant cellular models to answer the questions that move promising candidates forward.

We're looking for a research associate with hands-on mastery of molecular and cellular biology, gene editing technologies, and the ability to design experiments in a dynamic environment. If you've worked in ocular disease, gene therapy, or epigenetic regulation, you already speak our language.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, execute, analyze, and interpret in vitro experiments that support therapeutic candidate discovery and advancement.
  • Develop and optimize cellular assays to evaluate CRISPR-based epigenetic editing systems.
  • Generate high-quality datasets and apply rigorous analysis to support data-driven program decisions.
  • Partner closely with cross-functional teams to advance therapeutic programs.
  • Prepare tissue blocks in OCT, perform cryosectioning, immunofluorescence and fluorescent imaging.
  • Culture, engineer, and characterize mammalian cell lines, primary cells, and iPSC-derived disease models.
  • Perform molecular and cellular analyses including qPCR, RT-qPCR, digital PCR, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, and next-generation sequencing-based assays.
  • Evaluate AAV delivery and activity of gene therapy modalities.
  • Maintain detailed and up-to-date experimental records and contribute to study reports and presentations.
  • Stay current with emerging technologies and scientific advances in CRISPR, epigenetics, gene therapy, and ocular disease research.

Requirements

Research Associate II

  • B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.
  • 3-5+ years of relevant industry experience.

Senior Research Associate

  • B.S. or M.S. with 5-8+ years of industry experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently execute complex studies and contribute to experimental strategy.

Core Technical Skills

  • Strong molecular biology skills including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, qPCR, dPCR, cloning, and gene expression analysis.
  • Mammalian cell culture and cellular assay development experience.
  • Experience in working with human or mouse tissues, preparing frozen tissue blocks and cryosectioning.
  • Experience with viral vector systems (AAV/lentivirus).
  • Proficiency in flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, and protein expression analyses.
  • Strong data analysis, experimental design, and troubleshooting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in epigenetics, chromatin biology, transcriptional regulation, or gene expression control.
  • Experience working with ocular diseases.
  • Prior experience supporting preclinical therapeutic development programs in biotechnology or pharmaceutical settings.

 The salary range for this position is $95,000 to $115,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including, without limitation, individual education, experience, tenure, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data, including potential adjustments for geographic location.

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