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Principal Research Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Moffitt

Research Associate I

West Covina, CA

$18.64 - $28.53/hr

Research Associates work under the general supervision of a Principal Investigator (Pl) and may work as part of a team under the direct supervision of more senior lab personnel. Research Associates ...

CEDARS-SINAI

Research Associate I, Dou Lab

Tarzana, CA · On-site

$25 - $30.46/hr

Working independently but in close cooperation and in consultation with the Principal Investigator and other Research Scientists on the team, the Research Associate will perform routine and complex ...

Cedars Sinai

Research Associate I, Dou Lab

Tarzana, CA · On-site

$25 - $30.46/hr

Working independently but in close cooperation and in consultation with the Principal Investigator and other Research Scientists on the team, the Research Associate will perform routine and complex ...

Cedars Sinai

Research Associate I, Dou Lab

Tarzana, CA · On-site

Working independently but in close cooperation and in consultation with the Principal Investigator and other Research Scientists on the team, the Research Associate will perform routine and complex ...

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All JobsPrincipal Research Associate JobsPrincipal Research Associate Jobs in California

Principal Research Associate information

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$16

$32

$46

How much do principal research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for principal 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 is a principal research associate?

A Principal Research Associate is a senior-level research professional who leads and manages scientific research projects within an organization, often in academia, biotechnology, or pharmaceuticals. They are responsible for designing experiments, analyzing data, supervising junior staff, and ensuring that the research meets regulatory and quality standards. Principal Research Associates often collaborate with cross-functional teams, contribute to publications, and may be involved in grant writing or project proposals. This role requires significant experience in the field, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of research methodologies.

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

To thrive as a Principal Research Associate, you typically need an advanced degree in a scientific discipline, strong expertise in experimental design, and significant hands-on laboratory experience. Proficiency with specialized lab equipment, data analysis software (such as GraphPad Prism or FlowJo), and familiarity with regulatory standards like GLP or GMP are often required. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and leadership abilities help you excel in managing projects and mentoring junior staff. These skills and qualifications are crucial for generating reliable research results, ensuring compliance, and driving scientific innovation within the organization.

How does a principal research associate typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in a research setting?

As a Principal Research Associate, you will frequently work alongside scientists, project managers, and other research professionals to advance complex studies. Collaboration often involves coordinating experimental design, sharing data, and troubleshooting protocols with team members from different specialties, such as analytical chemistry, biology, or clinical operations. Clear communication and the ability to translate technical findings for non-specialist colleagues are key. This collaborative environment not only accelerates project milestones but also provides opportunities to learn from diverse experts and contribute to multidisciplinary solutions.

What is the difference between Principal Research Associate vs Senior Research Associate?

AspectPrincipal Research AssociateSenior Research Associate
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD, relevant research experienceMaster's degree, significant research experience
Work EnvironmentLead research projects, mentor junior staffConduct research, support project goals
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, biotech, academiaSimilar industries, often overlapping roles

The Principal Research Associate typically holds a higher level of responsibility, leading projects and mentoring others, whereas the Senior Research Associate focuses on executing research tasks and supporting project objectives. Both roles require advanced degrees and research experience, but the Principal Research Associate is more involved in strategic planning and leadership within research teams.

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

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

Principal Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Research Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% 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 1 hour 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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