Associate Scientist Jobs in San Diego, CA

Associate Scientist jobs in San Diego are concentrated in Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley, and UTC, where biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences employers drive steady demand year-round. Employers hiring right now include UC San Diego, Bristol Myers Squibb, and dsm-firmenich. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

Find Associate Scientist Jobs

Overview

Open roles69
Top employerUC San Diego
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialBachelor of Science
Companies hiring9

Showing 5 of 69+ Associate Scientist jobs

Eurofins
Associate Formulations Scientist
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Eurofins
Added 2d ago
Associate Formulations Scientist
Eurofins
San Diego, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$52k - $56k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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WuXi AppTec
Associate Analytical Scientist
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WuXi AppTec
Added 4d ago
Associate Analytical Scientist
WuXi AppTec
San Diego, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$69k - $90k/yr
Bachelor of Science
1,001-5,000

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Spectrix Analytical Services, LLC
Associate Scientist in HPLC Purification
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Spectrix Analytical Services, LLC
Added 5d ago
Associate Scientist in HPLC Purification
Spectrix Analytical Services, LLC
San Diego, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$30 - $40/hr
On-Site
Master's degree in chemistry
51-200

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Bristol Myers Squibb
Sr. Associate Scientist, Radiochemistry
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Bristol Myers Squibb
Added 1w ago
Sr. Associate Scientist, Radiochemistry
Bristol Myers Squibb
San Diego, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Service & Support
Sales
$96k - $116k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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UC San Diego
Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist - Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology
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UC San Diego
Added 1w ago
Assistant, Associate, or Full Project Scientist - Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology
UC San Diego
San Diego, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$79k - $120k/yr
Doctoral degree in epidemiology
10,000+

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See All 69 Associate Scientist Jobs in San Diego

Find roles in San Diego that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Associate Scientist Job Market in San Diego

Who's Hiring

  • UC San Diego
    UC San Diego27
  • Bristol Myers Squibb
    Bristol Myers Squibb12
  • dsm-firmenich
    dsm-firmenich8
  • Eurofins
    Eurofins4
  • WuXi AppTec
    WuXi AppTec4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Staffing & Recruiting

Associate Scientist Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an associate scientist job in San Diego?

Target San Diego's dense biotech and pharma corridor running through Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley, where mid-size biotechs and large pharmaceutical companies post the most openings. A bachelor's or master's in biology, chemistry, or a related field is the baseline. Candidates with hands-on cell culture, assay development, or analytical instrumentation experience stand out locally. Applying directly to companies in the Torrey Pines Science Park cluster gives you the best concentration of relevant openings.

Which companies hire associate scientists in San Diego?

Companies currently hiring associate scientists in San Diego include UC San Diego, Bristol Myers Squibb, and dsm-firmenich, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's employer mix ranges from early-stage biotechs in Sorrento Mesa to established pharmaceutical and contract research organizations anchored in the Torrey Pines corridor.

Are there remote associate scientist jobs in San Diego?

Yes, though remote work is uncommon for associate scientist roles since most require hands-on lab work with equipment, cell cultures, or controlled samples. About 0% of associate scientist openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with those positions most often covering data analysis, regulatory documentation, or computational biology work rather than bench duties.

How can I get an associate scientist job in San Diego with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path in San Diego is a paid internship or co-op with one of the smaller biotechs in Sorrento Valley or the Torrey Pines cluster, which routinely convert interns to full-time associate scientists. Research assistant and lab technician roles at UC San Diego or Scripps Research also build the hands-on credentials local employers value. Candidates who document specific techniques, instruments, and software on their resume consistently move faster through San Diego's screening processes.

Which industries hire the most associate scientists in San Diego?

The sectors hiring the most associate scientists in San Diego are Education, Chemicals & Materials, and Staffing & Recruiting, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Diego's deep concentration of drug discovery and biologics companies, anchored by decades of investment in the Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley corridors, keeps demand for associate scientists consistently strong across those sectors.

See All 69 Associate Scientist Jobs in San Diego

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