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Senior Research Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

NewLimit

Senior/Research Associate

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Position NewLimit is seeking an Senior/Research Associate with experience in discovery biology to join our Vascular therapeutic team. Our Vascular program is developing reprogramming medicines to ...

Caltech

Senior Research Associate

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$29.75 - $37.25/hr

We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to join our team and help us accomplish this research mission. The successful candidate will push forward multiple rodent in vivo projects by serving as a ...

Freenome

Senior Research Associate

Brisbane, CA · On-site

$97K - $126K/yr

As a Senior Research Associate, you will participate in the development of genomic assay technologies and contribute to Freenome's multiomic product portfolio aimed at early cancer detection. You ...

Freenome

Senior Research Associate

Brisbane, CA

$97K - $126K/yr

As a Senior Research Associate, you will participate in the development of genomic assay technologies and contribute to Freenome's multiomic product portfolio aimed at early cancer detection. You ...

Onyx Bio

Senior Research Associate

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Senior Research Associate Onyx Bio -- Berkeley, CA (On-site) Company Overview Onyx is building a virtual immune system for faster and safer development of precision medicines. Our research generates ...

The Steely Group

Sr. Research Associate

Novato, CA · On-site

$45 - $51/hr

The Bioanalytical Development group seeks a highly motivated Senior Research Associate II to provide Bioanalytical and Biomarker method development in support of the Translational Research team as ...

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All JobsResearch Associate JobsSenior Research Associate JobsSenior Research Associate Jobs in California

Senior Research Associate information

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How much do senior research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior research associate in California is $44.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.50 and $49.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior research associate?

A senior research associate is a clinical or social scientist who runs experiments or studies at a medical center, think tank, university, or for a pharmaceutical company. As a senior research associate, your job duties include performing clinical research, complex testing of samples, data collection, and analysis of results. In this job, you direct researchers in your lab and collaborate with other scientific professionals to design experiments or compare results. Qualifications and skills needed for this career include a bachelor’s degree in a field related to your work and several years of experience as a research associate. A master’s degree or Ph.D. with significant research or laboratory components can substitute for some job experience.

What is a senior research associate?

A Senior Research Associate is an experienced professional who leads and conducts advanced research projects within academic, scientific, or corporate environments. They are responsible for designing experiments, analyzing data, supervising junior staff, and contributing to publications and grant proposals. Senior Research Associates often act as key members of research teams, providing expertise and ensuring projects are completed efficiently and accurately. Their role requires a strong background in their field, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior research associate?

To thrive as a Senior Research Associate, you need advanced research skills, data analysis expertise, and a relevant degree (often a master's or PhD) in a scientific or technical field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical software (such as SPSS or R), and compliance with regulatory standards is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring accurate research outcomes, fostering innovation, and supporting collaboration within research teams.

What are some common challenges faced by senior research associates in managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Senior Research Associates often juggle several projects at once, which can make prioritization and time management challenging. Balancing hands-on experimental work, data analysis, and documentation while meeting project deadlines requires strong organizational skills and clear communication with team members. Proactively coordinating with principal investigators and cross-functional teams helps ensure that expectations are aligned, resources are available, and progress stays on track. Utilizing project management tools and regular team meetings can also aid in overcoming these challenges.

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

AspectSenior Research AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree, relevant experienceMaster's or Ph.D., specialized research training
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research teams, industry or academiaAdvanced research settings, independent projects
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, biotech, academia, governmentResearch institutions, biotech firms, academia
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for career progression, responsibilitiesMore specialized, higher-level research roles

The main difference between a Senior Research Associate and a Research Scientist lies in their experience, level of independence, and research responsibilities. Senior Research Associates typically support research projects with substantial experience, while Research Scientists often lead projects and require advanced degrees like a Ph.D. for more independent research roles. Both roles are vital in research environments, but Research Scientists usually hold a higher level of expertise and responsibility.

Do I need a PhD to be a senior research associate?

A senior research associate typically does not require a PhD, but many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or equivalent experience in the relevant field. Relevant skills, research experience, and technical proficiency often play a more significant role than the highest degree held.

How much does a senior research associate make in the US?

A senior research associate in the US typically earns between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on the industry, location, and level of experience. Salaries can vary based on the organization and whether the role requires specialized skills or advanced degrees.
More about Senior Research Associate jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Senior Research jobs in California?

The most popular types of Senior Research jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Research Associate jobs in California?

For Senior Research Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Research Associate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Research Associate jobs in California are:

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

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

Senior Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Research Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,461 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

Research Associate II/ Senior Research Associate, Therapeutics

Epicrispr Biotechnologies

South San Francisco, CA

$95K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days 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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