1

Tissue Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Scientist

San Francisco, CA

$107K - $147K/yr

You will work cross-functionally with bioengineers, computational biologists, AI scientists, roboticists, hardware engineers, and translational researchers to develop next-generation human tissue ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Tissue Engineering information

See California salary details

$11

$20

$36

How much do tissue engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for tissue engineering in California is $20.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $21.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Tissue Engineer, you need a solid background in biology, biomaterials, and biomedical engineering, typically supported by a relevant degree (such as biomedical engineering or a related field) and laboratory experience. Proficiency in cell culture techniques, bioreactor systems, and analytical tools like microscopy and spectroscopy is essential, and certifications in laboratory safety or Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and attention to detail set candidates apart in this multidisciplinary field. These skills ensure the successful development of engineered tissues and effective collaboration in advancing regenerative medicine solutions.

What is the difference between Tissue Engineering vs Biomedical Engineer?

AspectTissue EngineeringBiomedical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related fields; often includes specialized tissue engineering courseworkBachelor's or Master's in Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, or related fields; broader focus on medical device design and systems
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, tissue manufacturing facilities, biotech companiesHospitals, medical device companies, research institutions
Industry UsageDeveloping artificial tissues, regenerative medicine, organ scaffoldsDesigning medical devices, prosthetics, imaging systems, and healthcare technology

While both roles require a background in bioengineering, Tissue Engineering focuses specifically on creating biological tissues and regenerative solutions, often within research and biotech settings. Biomedical Engineers have a broader scope, working on medical devices, systems, and technology across healthcare environments. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or specialization.

What are some common challenges tissue engineers face when transitioning from academic research to industry roles?

Tissue engineers moving from academia to industry often encounter challenges such as adapting to faster project timelines, working within multidisciplinary teams, and aligning research goals with commercial objectives. In industry, there is a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, scalability, and product development—areas that may receive less focus in academic settings. Successful candidates typically benefit from strong communication skills, flexibility, and a willingness to learn about manufacturing standards and quality assurance processes.

What is tissue engineering?

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that combines principles of biology, engineering, and materials science to develop artificial organs, tissues, or biological substitutes that can restore, maintain, or improve tissue function. The goal is to create functional tissues in the lab that can be used to repair or replace damaged or diseased tissues in the body. This often involves using a combination of cells, scaffolds, and biologically active molecules to construct living tissues. Tissue engineering has applications in regenerative medicine, transplantation, and drug testing. The field is rapidly evolving, with ongoing research aimed at creating more complex and functional tissues.

What Are Jobs in Tissue Engineering?

Tissue engineering is a scientific discipline of regenerative medicine in which experts combine structural frameworks known as scaffolds with cells and biological agents to create functional replacement tissues. Jobs in this field include lab technician, research technician, and research bioengineer. As a technician or assistant, your duties involve managing the lab inventory, assisting with quality control and regulatory compliance, maintaining lab equipment, and working hands-on with laboratory test animals like rodents and pigs. As a bioengineer, you develop, lead, and oversee biomedical procedures. Additionally, your responsibilities involve collaborating with peers and writing reports, publications, and patent applications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Tissue Engineering jobs in California? The most popular types of Tissue Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Tissue Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Tissue Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Tissue Engineering job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,122 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Postdoctoral Researcher-Biomaterials and Hydrogel Engineering

Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation

Woodland Hills, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated early-career Postdoctoral Research Fellow with strong, hands-on expertise in biomaterials and hydrogel engineering. This position is best suited for a recent PhD graduate or researcher within approximately three years of completing their PhD who is interested in developing hydrogel-based platforms for stem cell culture, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Hydrogel and biomaterials expertise is the primary requirement for this position. Stem cell knowledge is desirable but will not substitute for direct experience in hydrogel formulation, fabrication, and characterization.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have:

  • A PhD in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biomaterials, materials science, chemical engineering, polymer science, or a closely related field
  • A PhD completed recently, preferably within the past three years
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience designing, synthesizing, modifying, or optimizing hydrogel systems
  • Experience with hydrogel formulation and crosslinking, including chemical, enzymatic, photochemical, or click-chemistry-based approaches
  • Experience characterizing hydrogel properties using methods such as rheology, mechanical testing, swelling, degradation, gelation kinetics, or structural analysis
  • Experience evaluating cell-material interactions in three-dimensional culture systems
  • A strong publication record relevant to biomaterials, hydrogels, tissue engineering, or regenerative medicine
  • Strong experimental, analytical, written, and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following is preferred:

  • GelMA, hyaluronic acid, PEG, thiol-ene, maleimide-thiol, methacrylate, or other covalently crosslinked hydrogel systems
  • Human pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells, or primary cells
  • Stem cell maintenance, differentiation, characterization, or three-dimensional culture
  • Organoids, bioprinting, microfluidics, drug delivery, or tissue-engineered constructs
  • Polymer functionalization, peptide conjugation, controlled release, or bioactive hydrogel design
  • Confocal imaging, flow cytometry, immunostaining, gene-expression analysis, or in vivo biomaterial evaluation

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

  • Design, synthesize, optimize, and characterize hydrogel biomaterials
  • Develop hydrogel systems for cell culture, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications
  • Investigate hydrogel mechanics, degradation, transport properties, and cell–material interactions
  • Conduct mammalian and stem cell culture experiments
  • Design and execute independent research studies
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data
  • Prepare manuscripts, presentations, reports, and grant-related materials
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and clinicians
  • Mentor junior researchers and contribute to laboratory organization

Important Applicant Guidance

This position requires direct experimental experience with hydrogel biomaterials. Applications focused primarily on stem cell biology, molecular biology, computational biology, clinical research, or general cell culture without substantial hands-on hydrogel experience will not be considered.

Applicants should clearly describe their personal contributions to hydrogel formulation, synthesis, crosslinking, modification, and characterization in their cover letter and curriculum vitae.

Simply using commercially available gels, Matrigel, collagen coatings, or pre-formulated scaffolds does not by itself meet the hydrogel expertise requirement.

Candidates whose experience is limited to culturing cells on biomaterial surfaces, without designing or characterizing the underlying biomaterial, are unlikely to be competitive.