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Trainee Bioinformatics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Trainee Bioinformatics information

See California salary details

$48.4K

$200.8K

$394.8K

How much do trainee bioinformatics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for trainee bioinformatics in California is $200,803.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $394,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a trainee bioinformatics?

Trainee Bioinformaticians are entry-level professionals who are learning to apply computational and statistical methods to analyze biological data, such as DNA, RNA, or protein sequences. They often work under the supervision of experienced bioinformaticians or researchers, assisting with data processing, software development, and research projects. Their role is crucial in fields like genomics, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical development, as they help make sense of complex biological information. Trainee Bioinformaticians typically have a background in biology, computer science, or a related field, and are developing their skills in programming, data analysis, and bioinformatics tools.

What kinds of projects or tasks can a trainee bioinformatics expect to work on during their initial months?

As a Trainee Bioinformatics, you can expect to contribute to projects involving data preprocessing, quality control, and basic analysis of biological datasets, such as genomic or transcriptomic data. You will likely collaborate closely with senior bioinformaticians, biologists, and software developers, assisting with data annotation, pipeline testing, and report generation. The early stages often focus on building foundational skills in scripting (such as Python or R), using bioinformatics tools, and understanding the lab's data workflows, which sets you up for more complex analytical tasks as you gain experience.

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

To thrive as a Trainee Bioinformatics, you need a solid grounding in biology, statistics, and computer science, often backed by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with programming languages such as Python or R, experience with bioinformatics databases, and use of tools like BLAST or Galaxy are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you interpret complex data and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are essential for extracting meaningful insights from biological data and supporting scientific research.

What is the difference between Trainee Bioinformatics vs Bioinformatics Analyst?

AspectTrainee BioinformaticsBioinformatics Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, biology, or related field; entry-levelBachelor's or master's degree; some roles prefer experience or certifications
Work EnvironmentTraining programs, internships, or entry-level positions in research labs or biotech companiesFull-time roles in research institutions, biotech firms, or healthcare organizations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by employers for onboarding new talent or students gaining practical experienceUsed by employers for ongoing data analysis, research projects, and bioinformatics workflows

The main difference between a Trainee Bioinformatics and a Bioinformatics Analyst is experience level and responsibility. Trainee Bioinformatics roles are designed for individuals starting their careers, focusing on learning and skill development. Bioinformatics Analysts are more experienced professionals responsible for analyzing biological data, interpreting results, and supporting research projects.

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

The most popular types of Bioinformatics jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Trainee Bioinformatics jobs in California?

For Trainee Bioinformatics jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Trainee Bioinformatics jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Trainee Bioinformatics jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Trainee Bioinformatics jobs?

Cities in California with the most Trainee Bioinformatics job openings:

Infographic showing various Trainee Bioinformatics job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, and 90% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $200,803 per year, or $96.5 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$70K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


University Of Southern California rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

104th of 625 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

Keck School of Medicine

Cancer Biology

This is a one year fixed-term position.

There is an exciting new opportunity at the University of Southern California for highly motivated candidates committed to developing a career in molecular and computational biology, genomics, or bioinformatics. The Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate will analyze in-house generated sequencing datasets and integrate multi-dimensional large-scale omics datasets (dry lab). The trainee is expected to lead multiple research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator and s/he will be a part of the collaborative research team who lead large genomics and epigenomics consortia to fight cancer.Due to the collaborative, multi-lab nature of this project, it is essential that the applicant have excellent organizational and communication skills. The postdoctoral trainees will be encouraged to submit their own fellowship and grant applications during their period of training.

Responsibilities and Duties

  • Installing and maintaining existing open-source software
  • Building computational infrastructure and systems to support the software
  • Writing novel scripts to analyze next-generation sequencing datasets
  • Developing web-based applications and tools to facilitate data analysis
  • Preparing presentations and publishing scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
  • Responsible for teaching other lab members

Preferred Qualifications

  • Possess a PhD or be close to the completion of a PhD or DPhil in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or Data Science in a relevant field (e.g. Biology with strong quantitative training in bioinformatics)
  • Background and work knowledge in scientific computing, algorithms, and machine learning or statistics is required
  • Familiarity with R or Python, and the Unix (Linux) environment is required
  • Skills in other programming languages (e.g. perl or java) is a plus
  • Experience in analyzing and annotating large omics data sets, both in exploratory and pipelined fashions is a plus
  • Experience in studying 3D epigenomics and/or long read sequencing is a big plus

To Apply

1. Send a CV to Dr. Rhie (rhie@usc.edu), from the Department of Cancer Biology in the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

2. Complete the Workday application

The annual base salary range for this position is $70,000 - $70,304.04. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within previous three years
Minimum experience: 0-1 year
Minimum field of expertise: Directly related education in research specialization with advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and analysis methods.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email atuschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

  • Notice of Non-discrimination
  • Employment Equity
  • Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report
  • USC is a smoke-free environment
  • Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$151753.htmld

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About University of Southern California

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Southern California (USC) is not a conventional company, but a private research university established in the heart of Los Angeles, CA, US. Founded in 1880, it's one of the oldest private research universities in California. USC operates in the education industry providing primary services of higher education, research, and community development. This prestigious institution offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The University is guided by its commitment to foster creativity, innovation, leadership, and discovery through academic excellence.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

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Year founded

1880