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Research Assistant Jobs in San Rafael, CA (NOW HIRING)

NCIRE

Staff Research Associate I

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$24.11 - $28.87/hr

The Nayak Lab (nayak.ucsf.edu) has an opening for a research assistant I who is interested in advancing our knowledge of the gut microbiome and its impact on rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid ...

NCIRE

Staff Research Associate I

San Francisco, CA

$24.11 - $28.87/hr

The Nayak Lab (nayak.ucsf.edu) has an opening for a research assistant I who is interested in advancing our knowledge of the gut microbiome and its impact on rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid ...

Sprig

Research Partner

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

Research teams use Sprig to run customer surveys, market research, experience measurement, journey research, concept testing, and strategic studies. Whether collecting feedback from customers ...

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Research Assistant information

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How much do research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for research assistant in San Rafael, CA is $24.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.62 and $28.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research assistant?

Research assistants are individuals who support research projects by helping with data collection, analysis, literature reviews, and administrative tasks. They often work under the supervision of a lead researcher or professor in academic, scientific, or industry settings. Research assistants may also contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations, and publications. Their role is essential in ensuring that research projects are conducted efficiently and accurately.

What does a research assistant do?

Research assistants gather and document information for their employer. As a research assistant, your responsibilities vary depending on the setting and field in which you work. Most research assistants work in academia, either in the science or humanities departments at a university, or for research institutes. Duties may include collecting data from the library and other sources, conducting surveys, and recruiting volunteers. In a laboratory setting, you may prepare, clean, and maintain lab equipment, assist with experiments, and log readings and results.

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

To thrive as a Research Assistant, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a relevant academic background, often with a bachelor's or master's degree in the field. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or Excel), literature databases, and sometimes laboratory equipment is typically required. Effective communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities help Research Assistants collaborate and manage complex tasks efficiently. These skills are crucial for producing accurate, reliable research results and supporting the project's overall success.

What are some common challenges research assistants face when balancing multiple projects, and how can they effectively manage their workload?

Research Assistants often juggle several projects simultaneously, which can lead to competing deadlines and shifting priorities. To manage these challenges, it's important to maintain clear communication with supervising researchers, use organizational tools such as project management software or detailed timelines, and regularly review progress with the team. Setting realistic expectations and proactively seeking clarification on priorities can also help ensure tasks are completed efficiently. Developing these time management and collaboration skills is crucial for success in a dynamic research environment.

What is the difference between Research Assistant vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectResearch AssistantLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in a related field; some roles require a master'sAssociate's degree or certification in laboratory techniques
Work EnvironmentAcademic, research institutions, or corporate R&D settingsLaboratories, hospitals, or industrial labs
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, biotech companiesHospitals, diagnostic labs, manufacturing plants
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

The main difference between a Research Assistant and a Laboratory Technician lies in their roles and qualifications. Research Assistants typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree and focus on supporting research projects, data analysis, and academic studies. Laboratory Technicians usually have an associate's degree or certification and perform routine lab tests and maintenance. Both roles work in laboratory environments but serve different functions within research and clinical settings.

Do I need a degree to be a research assistant?

Research assistant positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, though some roles may accept candidates with related coursework or experience. Advanced positions may require a master's or higher degree, especially in specialized or academic research environments. Skills such as data analysis, laboratory techniques, or familiarity with research tools can also be important.

Do research assistants get paid a lot?

Research assistants typically earn hourly wages or stipends that vary depending on the industry, location, and level of experience. In general, research assistant salaries are modest compared to other professional roles, often ranging from minimum wage to mid-level pay, especially for entry-level positions or internships. Advanced skills, certifications, or working in specialized fields can lead to higher compensation.

How hard is it to get a job as a research assistant?

Securing a research assistant position typically requires relevant academic background, such as a bachelor's or master's degree, and strong organizational or analytical skills. Competition can be moderate to high depending on the field and institution, and some roles may require familiarity with specific tools or methodologies. Building a strong resume and gaining related experience can improve chances of employment.

What is a research assistant job salary?

The salary for a research assistant varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer, but typically ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 annually. Graduate students or those working part-time may earn less, often paid hourly or through stipends. Skills in data analysis and familiarity with research tools can influence compensation levels.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in San Rafael, CA?

The most popular types of Research jobs in San Rafael, CA are:

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Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Assistant job openings in San Rafael, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,799 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Research Assistant - Structural Bioinformatics

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

About Astera:
Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.
Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, projects supported by Astera operate like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here.
About the Role:
The diffUSE Project at Astera Institute/Radial is building open infrastructure for dynamic structural biology, making protein conformational and ensemble data findable, validated, and reusable at scale. The Research Assistant will support this mission by maintaining data pipelines, curating structural datasets, and running validation checks across X-ray, cryo-EM, and ensemble-derived data, working closely with Scientists and software engineers on day-to-day technical execution. This is a full-time, in-person role suited to someone early in their research career who wants hands-on exposure to structural biology data infrastructure in a fast-moving, multidisciplinary environment. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable with ambiguity, and motivated by the goal of making scientific data more open and reusable.
Key Responsibilities
  • Maintain and run bioinformatic pipelines for structural data processing, curation, and quality control.
  • Support development and benchmarking of validation metrics against experimental datasets.
  • Assist with data deposition, formatting, and documentation to meet community data standards.
  • Help prepare datasets, figures, and summaries for publications, reports, and presentations.
  • Coordinate with Scientists and engineers on routine data management tasks and troubleshooting.

Required Skills and Qualifications
  • BS or MS in bioinformatics, structural biology, computational biology, or a related field.
  • Working proficiency in Python and familiarity with structural file formats (PDB, mmCIF, mtz).
  • Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail in data handling.
  • Comfortable working across computational and experimental teams in a research setting.
  • Preferred: exposure to crystallography or cryo-EM data processing; familiarity with PDB, EMDB, or related databases.

Compensation
Commensurate with experience.
  • Benefits summary

Apply