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Research Scientist Computer Science Jobs in California

Research Scientist

Cupertino, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $300K/yr

The Silicon Valley Research Lab focuses on developing novel algorithms and technologies to allow ... PhD degree (or close to completion) in computer science, machine learning, robotics, or related ...

About Chai Discovery Chai is a research lab working on AI to unlock biology. Our models design new ... Our team hails from physics, math, theoretical computer science, computational biology and related ...

Research Scientist

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

The Silicon Valley Research Lab focuses on developing novel algorithms and technologies to allow ... in computer science, machine learning, robotics, or related field, with a broad knowledge of ...

Research Scientist

Cupertino, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $300K/yr

The Silicon Valley Research Lab focuses on developing novel algorithms and technologies to allow ... in computer science, machine learning, robotics, or related field, with a broad knowledge of ...

Research Scientist

Cupertino, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $300K/yr

The Silicon Valley Research Lab focuses on developing novel algorithms and technologies to allow ... in computer science, machine learning, robotics, or related field, with a broad knowledge of ...

PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience. * 2 years of experience leading a research agenda. * Experience with modern ML frameworks such as JAX or PyTorch.

AI Research Scientist Responsibilities * Design and evaluate novel AI/ML models across foundational ... D. or Master's) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, or a related field * Strong ...

Senior Research Scientist, AI2 Research

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$115K - $147K/yr

PhD in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience. * 2 years of experience leading a research agenda. * Experience coding in Python, JavaScript, R, Java, or C . * One of ...

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Showing results 1-20

Research Scientist Computer Science information

See California salary details

$49.8K

$128.4K

$171.7K

How much do research scientist computer science jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for research scientist computer science 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Scientist in Computer Science, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Scientist in Computer Science, you need advanced knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and computational theory, typically supported by a Ph.D. or relevant graduate degree. Proficiency with programming languages (such as Python, C++, or Java), data analysis tools, and version control systems is essential, and experience with machine learning frameworks or high-performance computing can be advantageous. Critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are vital soft skills for formulating innovative research questions and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable the development of pioneering solutions, clear dissemination of findings, and significant contributions to the advancement of technology.

How do Research Scientists in Computer Science typically collaborate with other professionals on interdisciplinary projects?

Research Scientists in Computer Science often work closely with experts from diverse fields such as data science, engineering, healthcare, or social sciences, depending on the project's focus. Collaboration usually involves joint problem-solving, sharing domain-specific knowledge, and integrating different methodologies to address complex research questions. Communication skills are crucial, as scientists must translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and ensure all team members are aligned on goals and deliverables. Regular meetings, shared documentation, and collaborative software tools are commonly used to facilitate effective teamwork.

What is the difference between Research Scientist Computer Science vs Data Scientist?

AspectResearch Scientist Computer ScienceData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees in CS or related fields, research experienceDegree in CS, statistics, or related fields; data analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsCorporate offices, tech companies, analytics firms
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, tech companiesBusiness, finance, healthcare, tech industries
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in CSData analysis and application roles

Research Scientist Computer Science focuses on advancing knowledge through research, often in academic or R&D settings, requiring strong research credentials. Data Scientist emphasizes analyzing and interpreting data to inform business decisions, typically in industry settings. While both roles require technical skills, their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

What does a Research Scientist in Computer Science do?

A Research Scientist in Computer Science explores new theories, models, and technologies to advance the field. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and publish findings in scientific journals or conferences. Their work often involves collaborating with other researchers, developing prototypes, and contributing to innovations in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, or data science. The goal is to solve complex problems and push the boundaries of what computers and algorithms can achieve.
What job categories do people searching Research Scientist Computer Science jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Research Scientist Computer Science jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Research Scientist Computer Science job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% 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.

Research Scientist, Google Research, GenAI, Experiences

Google

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Google rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 190 rated software companies


Job description

info_outline
X Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees. Benefits for this role include:
  • Health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance
  • Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match
  • Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, accruing at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period for the first five years of employment
  • Sick Time: 40 hours/year (increased to 69 hours/year for Seattle) including 5 discretionary sick days per instance
  • Maternity Leave (Short-Term Disability Baby Bonding): 28-30 weeks
  • Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks
  • Holidays: 13 paid days per year

Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Mountain View, CA, USA; Kirkland, WA, USA; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco, CA, USA.
Minimum qualifications:
  • PhD degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Experience with one or more of the following (e.g., computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing.
  • Experience with software development in Python.
  • One of more scientific publication submissions for conferences, journals, or public repositories (such as CVPR, ICCV, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, etc.).

Preferred qualifications:
  • 2 years of experience in coding.
  • 1 year of experience owning and initiating research agendas.
  • Experience with jax/pytorch, Python, and building/launching ML models and applied ML skills (e.g., Large Language Models (LLMs), Natural Language Processing (NLP)).
  • Experience with quantitative research or investigative abilities for data analysis.
  • Experience with Google infrastructure such as flume.

About the job
As an organization, Google maintains a portfolio of research projects driven by fundamental research, new product innovation, product contribution and infrastructure goals, while providing individuals and teams the freedom to emphasize specific types of work. As a Research Scientist, you'll setup large-scale tests and deploy promising ideas quickly and broadly, managing deadlines and deliverables while applying the latest theories to develop new and improved products, processes, or technologies. From creating experiments and prototyping implementations to designing new architectures, our research scientists work on real-world problems that span the breadth of computer science, such as machine (and deep) learning, data mining, natural language processing, hardware and software performance analysis, improving compilers for mobile platforms, as well as core search and much more.
As a Research Scientist, you'll also actively contribute to the wider research community by sharing and publishing your findings, with ideas inspired by internal projects as well as from collaborations with research programs at partner universities and technical institutes all over the world.
Google Research is building the next generation of intelligent systems for all Google products. To achieve this, we're working on projects that utilize the latest computer science techniques developed by skilled software developers and research scientists. Google Research teams collaborate closely with other teams across Google, maintaining the flexibility and versatility required to adapt new projects and foci that meet the demands of the world's fast-paced business needs.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $147000 - $211000 (USD) 15% bonus target equity benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google .
Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and evaluate advanced ML models utilizing large-scale datasets to analyze and predict human preferences and behavior.
  • Architect and maintain systems for model training and high-performance serving.
  • Perform statistical analyses on large-scale data to uncover patterns and derive actionable insights for product development.
  • Publish original research in venues, contributing novel methodologies to the fields of machine learning, and natural language processing.
  • Collaborate effectively with partners to integrate ML models driving measurable improvements in quality and user experience.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy .
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .
If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .
Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.
To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees, or any other organization location. Google is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.

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