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Student Research Assistant Jobs in Spring Valley, CA

RESEARCH ASSISTANT I - Dik Lab

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$20.67 - $25.06/hr

Our educational and training programs mold talented and committed students and postdocs into ... Research Assistant I POSITION SUMMARY: The successful candidate will join the early-stage discovery ...

RESEARCH ASSISTANT I - Dik Lab

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$20.67 - $25.06/hr

Our educational and training programs mold talented and committed students and postdocs into ... Research Assistant I POSITION SUMMARY: The successful candidate will join the early-stage discovery ...

Showing results 21-40

Student Research Assistant information

See Spring Valley, CA salary details

$7

$16

$24

How much do student research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for student research assistant in Spring Valley, CA is $16.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.00 and $18.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a student research assistant?

Student Research Assistants are students, often at the undergraduate or graduate level, who support faculty or researchers in conducting academic or scientific research. Their responsibilities may include data collection, literature reviews, data analysis, laboratory work, or helping prepare research reports and presentations. These positions provide hands-on experience in research methodologies and can help students develop valuable skills for future academic or professional pursuits.

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

To thrive as a Student Research Assistant, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a solid academic background related to the research field. Familiarity with data collection methods, statistical analysis software (such as SPSS or Excel), and literature search tools is often required. Effective communication, time management, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for collaborating with faculty and peers. These competencies ensure accurate research results, efficient project completion, and a valuable contribution to research teams.

What are some common challenges faced by student research assistants, and how can they be addressed?

Student Research Assistants often encounter challenges such as balancing research responsibilities with their academic workload, managing time effectively, and adapting to unfamiliar research methodologies or tools. To address these challenges, it's important to communicate regularly with your supervising researcher, prioritize tasks, and seek guidance when needed. Many institutions also offer workshops or support resources to help students develop research and time management skills, making it easier to navigate the demands of the role successfully.

What is the difference between Student Research Assistant vs Research Intern?

AspectStudent Research AssistantResearch Intern
Required CredentialsEnrolled student, often pursuing a related degreeTypically undergraduate or graduate students, sometimes recent graduates
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, university research projectsResearch institutions, corporate labs, or academic settings
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, academic research programsResearch organizations, industry R&D departments
Common Search & ComparisonStudent Research AssistantResearch Intern

The main difference between a Student Research Assistant and a Research Intern lies in their typical work setting and credentials. Student Research Assistants are usually enrolled students working on academic research projects within universities, while Research Interns may be students or recent graduates working in research roles across various organizations. Both roles involve assisting with research tasks, but the context and industry focus differ.

What job categories do people searching Student Research Assistant jobs in Spring Valley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Student Research Assistant jobs in Spring Valley, CA are:

What cities near Spring Valley, CA are hiring for Student Research Assistant jobs?

Cities near Spring Valley, CA with the most Student Research Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Student Research Assistant job openings in Spring Valley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,263 per year, or $17 per hour.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT I - Dik Lab

Calibr

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

$20.67 - $25.06/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

ABOUT US:
Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines was founded on the principle that the creation of new medicines can be accelerated by pairing world-class biomedical research with state-of-the-art drug discovery and development capabilities. Calibr-Skaggs is a division of Scripps Research, a first-of-its-kind, nonprofit translational research institute dedicated to creating the next generation of medicines. Scripps Research is ranked the most influential institution in the world for its impact on innovation. Our educational and training programs mold talented and committed students and postdocs into leading-edge scientists. Leveraging the unique scientific environment of Scripps Research, impacting translational sciences, Calibr-Skaggs has created a portfolio of drug candidates, and is shaping a new paradigm for advancing nonprofit biomedical research to impact patients while reinvesting in further innovative research. We expand basic knowledge in the biosciences and use these fundamental advancements to develop profound innovations that improve wellbeing. Calibr-Skaggs' drug development portfolio spans a broad range of human diseases, including cancer, autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, infectious and neglected tropical diseases, as well as age-related and degenerative diseases. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.
POSITION TITLE: Research Assistant I
POSITION SUMMARY:
The successful candidate will join the early-stage discovery research team at Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and contribute to both drug discovery and protein engineering programs. A major responsibility will be validating potential drug candidates ("hit compounds") that emerge from DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) screening campaigns across multiple therapeutic areas.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
  • Validate and characterize hit compounds identified through DEL screening.
  • Develop, optimize, and perform biochemical and biophysical assays.
  • Produce and purify proteins for screening and characterization studies.
  • Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments independently.
  • Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams to advance discovery programs.
  • Document findings and communicate results effectively.
  • Assist in training colleagues and sharing technical expertise when needed.
  • Work under supervision to design, execute, analyze, interpret and troubleshoot scientific experiments in biochemistry and molecular biology.
  • Accurately maintain written reports and present results in an organized and timely manner to research team.
  • Communicate effectively with peers and supervisors, foster teamwork and contribute to collaborative efforts.
  • Strong commitment to quality in research and presentation.
  • Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been attained.
  • Requires 1-3 years experience. Candidates possessing a Master's degree, 0-2 years experience required.
  • Bachelor's Degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology or related area.
  • Highly motivated, creative, and devoted to project goals.
  • Able to collaborate proficiently and communicate effectively with colleagues.
  • Able to contribute in a meaningful way to scientific discourse.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Skills in molecular biology including DNA isolation and purification, plasmid design, and cloning are required.
  • Experience in mammalian cell culture, protein expression platforms (i.e. HEK, CHO, or coli), and an understanding of protein purification techniques is preferred.
  • Additional experience in HPLC and/or LC-MS is advantageous, but not required.
  • Willingness to learn and perform animal work at a later stage for therapeutic evaluation.
  • Experience using graphing programs such as Prism and Excel is important.
  • Outstanding organizational skills and experience in preparing and presenting scientific data is important.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • This position works in a laboratory or vivarium environment.
  • Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

COMPENSATION: The expected hiring range for this position is $20.67 to $25.06 per hour, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
  • Employer Contributed Retirement Plan - Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) using your own pre or post-tax dollars.
  • Full suite of Health and Welfare plans including four medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more.
  • Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care).
  • Competitive vacation and sick leave policies.
  • Free, on-site parking.

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.
EEO Statement:
The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.