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Scientific Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Drive scientific communications internally and externally, including data dissemination, educational initiatives, and guideline/value‑proposition development * Assist with strategic publication ...

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Scientific Assistant information

See California salary details

$1.8K

$4.9K

$9.8K

How much do scientific assistant jobs pay per month?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average monthly pay for scientific assistant in California is $4,919.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $3,100.83 and $6,038.50 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Scientific Assistant vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectScientific AssistantLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in science or related fieldAssociate degree or diploma in laboratory technology
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, government agenciesHospitals, research labs, industrial settings
Employer & Industry UsageResearch projects, scientific studies, academiaSample analysis, equipment maintenance, routine testing
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level scientific rolesOften compared for technical laboratory support roles

The Scientific Assistant and Laboratory Technician roles share similarities in work environments and required credentials, but Scientific Assistants typically focus on supporting research activities, while Laboratory Technicians handle routine testing and sample processing. Both roles are essential in scientific and medical settings, with the Scientific Assistant often involved in data collection and analysis, and the Laboratory Technician performing technical procedures.

What are some common challenges scientific assistants face when managing multiple research projects simultaneously?

Scientific Assistants often juggle several research projects at once, which can present challenges in prioritizing tasks, maintaining meticulous records, and meeting deadlines. Balancing administrative duties, laboratory work, and data analysis requires strong organizational and time-management skills. Open communication with supervising scientists and research teams is essential to clarify expectations and ensure that all projects stay on track. Developing efficient workflows and regularly reviewing progress can help Scientific Assistants manage these demands effectively.

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

To thrive as a Scientific Assistant, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, strong analytical abilities, and experience with laboratory procedures. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, data analysis software (such as Excel, SPSS, or R), and adherence to safety protocols are commonly required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication help you excel in supporting research activities and collaborating with team members. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring accurate data collection, maintaining safe lab environments, and contributing to the success of scientific projects.

What is a scientific assistant?

Scientific Assistants are professionals who support scientists and researchers in laboratories, fieldwork, or academic settings. Their duties typically include preparing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, maintaining equipment, and assisting with documentation and reporting. They play a vital role in ensuring experiments and research projects run smoothly by handling technical and administrative tasks. Scientific Assistants often work under the supervision of senior scientists or researchers and may specialize in fields such as biology, chemistry, or physics.

How to become a scientific assistant?

To become a scientific assistant, candidates typically need a relevant bachelor's degree in a scientific field such as biology, chemistry, or physics. Gaining laboratory experience, developing technical skills, and sometimes obtaining certifications can improve job prospects; familiarity with laboratory equipment and data analysis tools is also beneficial.
What are the most commonly searched types of Scientific jobs in California? The most popular types of Scientific jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Scientific Assistant jobs in California? For Scientific Assistant jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Scientific Assistant jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Scientific Assistant jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Scientific Assistant jobs? Cities in California with the most Scientific Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Scientific Assistant job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,030 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Functional Genomics Senior Scientist/Assistant Director

Ionis Pharmaceuticals

Carlsbad, CA • On-site, Remote

$137K - $178K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.  With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees. 

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive. 

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

Functional Genomics Senior Scientist/Assistant Director

Remote or Carlsbad, CA (Hybrid)

 

SUMMARY:

We are currently seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of Senior Scientist / Assistant Director in our Functional Genomics group. This posting will be leveled as Senior Scientist or Assistant Director based on candidate’s experience and interview performance. A successful candidate will be a strategic member of a fast-paced and interactive research team contributing to the discovery of novel therapeutics. Well-suited candidates will have a systems level approach to understanding biology that harmonizes multiple interacting functional inputs including transcriptional regulation, protein function and larger order (cellular and tissue) biochemical relationships.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Collaborate with R&D across various disease areas to analyze ‘omics data for better understanding of disease biology, preclinical model characterization, drug mechanism of action, biomarker identification, and contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets
  • Provide input as needed to experimental groups to guide study design for ‘omics-based experiments
  • Use expertise as a computational biologist to integrate data from diverse sources (including transcriptome, proteome, DNA sequencing, genome structure data, and other NGS platforms)
  • Work in cross-disciplinary teams and effectively communicate findings to scientific audiences with broad range of backgrounds, including biology, chemistry, and statistics
  • Generalize pipelines for data integration and analysis
  • Organize and document analysis strategies and results

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, or related fields, plus 2+ years of post-PhD experience (Senior Scientist) or 3+ years of industry (Assistant Director)
  • Strong track record of innovative research demonstrated in publications and oral presentations
  • Familiarity with methods for advanced omics analysis such as single cell omics analysis, network inference and analysis, and machine learning
  • Proficiency with Linux, git and scripting languages such as Python or R, and analytical environments/IDEs such as Jupyter, RStudio, or VSCode. Familiarity with AWS/Cloud compute is a plus.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • An ability to be productive and successful in a fast-paced work environment
  • Knowledge in Cardiovascular, Renal, Pulmonary or Neurology fields is preferred

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition # IONIS004015

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits

Full Benefits Link: https://ionis.com/careers#:~:text=Highly%20competitive%20benefits

The pay scale for the Senior Scientist level is $137,666 to $178,246

The pay scale for the Assistant Director level is $153,940 to 211,080

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.