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Researcher Jobs in Poway, CA (NOW HIRING)

Qualcomm

Machine Learning Researcher

San Diego, CA · On-site

$159.10 - $238.70/hr

Job Area Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Machine Learning Researcher General Summary As a leading technology innovator, Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of what's possible to enable ...

Qualcomm

Machine Learning Researcher

San Diego, CA · On-site

As a Qualcomm Machine Learning Researcher, you will conduct fundamental research that creates innovative machine learning methodology that achieves beyond state-of-the-art performance. Qualcomm ...

Intuit

Principal Market Researcher

San Diego, CA · On-site

$199K - $269K/yr

The role will lead the research agenda, transform insights into proprietary strategic advantages by applying robust evidence-based synthesis-connecting the dots across complex, disparate data to ...

Headlands Research

Clinical Research Manager

Escondido, CA · On-site

$100K - $105K/yr

At Headlands Research, we are dedicated to enhancing clinical trial delivery within our communities. As a leading network of advanced clinical trial sites, we leverage cutting-edge technology and ...

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Researcher information

What is a researcher?

Researchers are professionals who systematically investigate topics to discover new information, validate existing knowledge, or solve problems. They work in various fields such as science, medicine, social sciences, and technology. Researchers design studies, collect and analyze data, and present their findings through reports, articles, or presentations. Their work is crucial for advancing knowledge and innovation in many industries.

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

To thrive as a Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and a solid educational background relevant to the research field, often at least a master's or doctoral degree. Familiarity with data analysis software, laboratory equipment, academic databases, and research methodologies is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, curiosity, and collaboration are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure rigorous, innovative research outcomes and effective knowledge sharing within the scientific community.

What do researchers do?

The main duty of a researcher is to perform research, the type depending greatly on the field in which you work. For example, someone who works in documentary film might do archival research and look for visual material that would fit well with a particular film. A researcher in a scientific field, such as biomedical technology, may look into particular drug treatments and provide information to clinical trial designers or other academic researchers. Many professors or academics perform research as part of their scholarly duties.

What are some common challenges researchers face when working on collaborative projects, and how can they be addressed?

Researchers often encounter challenges such as coordinating across different disciplines, aligning project goals, and managing communication within collaborative teams. These issues can be addressed by establishing clear roles and responsibilities from the outset, holding regular meetings to ensure alignment, and using collaborative tools to track progress. Open communication and mutual respect among team members are essential for overcoming misunderstandings and fostering a productive research environment.

What is the difference between Researcher vs Data Analyst?

AspectResearcherData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field; often advanced degrees for research rolesBachelor's or Master's in statistics, data science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentAcademic, laboratory, or research institutions; sometimes corporate R&DBusiness, finance, marketing, or healthcare settings; often office-based
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesCorporations, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonResearcher vs Data Analyst

The main difference between a Researcher and a Data Analyst lies in their focus and work environment. Researchers typically conduct experiments, develop theories, and work in academic or research settings, often requiring advanced degrees. Data Analysts analyze data to inform business decisions, usually working in corporate environments with a focus on data interpretation and reporting. While both roles require strong analytical skills, their daily tasks and industry applications differ significantly.

Do I need a PhD to be a researcher?

A PhD is not always required to be a researcher, as many roles accept candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree, especially if they have relevant skills and experience. However, for advanced research positions or academic roles, a PhD is often preferred or required. Skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and familiarity with research tools are also important for success in research roles.
More about Researcher jobs

What cities near Poway, CA are hiring for Researcher jobs?

Cities near Poway, CA with the most Researcher job openings:

Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Researcher job openings in Poway, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Researcher PHD Student

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 6 days ago

San Diego State University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

390th of 630 rated colleges and universities

Job description

# Yifan Zhang


**Assistant Professor, San Diego State University**


**Website:** [1phan.com](https://1phan.com)  

**Location:** San Diego, CA  

**[Cybersecurity Center](https://cyber.sdsu.edu/) @ [SDSU](https://www.sdsu.edu/)**


*I am recruiting motivated PhD students in systems security and privacy.*


---


## Research Directions


My research focuses on system security and privacy, with an emphasis on identifying new attack vectors, building automated binary-analysis tools, and conducting large-scale real-world measurement. Current ongoing projects include:


- **Software Supply Chain Security & Privacy**

- **Mobile & IoT Systems Security**

- **Cybercrime**


I emphasize **analysis methods for systems security**; application scenarios are not restricted.


### How We Work


We find new types of attacks and forms of exploitation in current systems, then combine reverse engineering with static & dynamic program analysis, leveraging formal verification and AI where necessary to detect, measure, and mitigate novel security & privacy vulnerabilities.


## What I Look For in a PhD Student


- **Deep curiosity** about real systems and willingness to dissect complex software stacks.

- **Strong systems skills:** confident with Linux, scripting, and debugging; comfortable reading specs and source.

- **Program analysis:** experience/interest in reverse engineering, static and dynamic analysis (e.g., program slicing, taint flow analysis, fuzzing), and formal methods.

- **Solid coding ability:** able to build research prototypes and measurement pipelines.

- **Team fit:** collaborative, respectful, and proactive; excited to publish in top security venues.


## About SDSU


San Diego State University (SDSU) is a major public research university in Southern California and an **R1 university** (Very High Research Activity).


## PhD Program & Admission


Students join my lab through the [SDSU–UCI Joint PhD Program in Computational Science](https://www.csrc.sdsu.edu/ph-d-program/).


Applicants should meet the program requirements, including:


- **Degree:** Bachelor's degree in a STEM field.

- **GPA:** Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and 3.5 GPA in any prior graduate coursework.


## Interested in Joining?


If you are excited about **systems security and privacy** and believe you may be a good fit, please prepare:


- A brief statement describing your research interests and any relevant past projects.

- A CV or résumé with links to code or artifacts.

- A link to any open-source contributions or technical write-ups you are proud of.


**Email subject template:**


`[SDSU Security PhD] Your Name --- [Brief Research Interest]`


---


  • **More:** [https://1phan.com](https://1phan.com) | [Cybersecurity Center](https://cyber.sdsu.edu/) @ [SDSU](https://www.sdsu.edu/)

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