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.
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Consider joining Lancaster Laboratories where people are the most important element in our chemistry. Celebrating 50 years of service, Lancaster Laboratories is a leading contract lab providing testing and research services in the environmental, pharmaceutical, and biopharmaceutical sciences to clients worldwide.
Job Description
The Ideal Candidate would possess:
- 2+ years of quantitative analytical HPLC experience
- Experience conducting routine laboratory experiments e.g. HPLC, DSC, PXRD spectroscopy, solubility determinations, dissolution testing, suspension processing, etc. in a timely and productive manner with consistent quality output.
- Ability to follow procedures reliably and consistently and ability to recognize and elevate relevant issues as appropriate
- Strong computer, scientific, and organizational skills
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and attention to detail, ability to work independently and as part of a team, self-motivation, adaptability, and a positive attitude
Qualifications
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or other related degree concentration
- 2+ years of related experience
- Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship
- Candidates in commutable distance to La Jolla, CA are recommended to apply.
Additional Information
What we offer:
- Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
- Life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Career Development and continuing education opportunities
- Compensation Range: $52,000 - $58,000
Position is full-time, 8am - 5pm with occasional overtime required.
Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Professional Scientific Services® (PSS) is a global, award-winning insourcing solution that places our people at our clients’ site dedicated to running and managing laboratory services while eliminating headcount, co-employment and project-management worries.
We infuse our 55-year track record of scientific and laboratory operations expertise, as well as HR and great place to work best practices, to recruit, hire, train and manage highly qualified scientists to perform laboratory services using our client’s quality systems and equipment.
Eurofins USA PSS Insourcing Solutions is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
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Find Associate Scientist JobsAssociate Scientist Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- UC San Diego27

- Bristol Myers Squibb12

- dsm-firmenich8

- Eurofins4

- 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.
Related Jobs in California
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