Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

Clinical Research Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and academic medical centers, with openings at every level from entry-level research associate through principal scientist. San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles are the dominant hiring centers, home to companies like Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and Johnson and Johnson's Janssen division. The most sought-after specialties in California include oncology, immunology, and biostatistics-driven clinical data science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles204+
Top employerAltos Labs
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring33
Work type94% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 204+ Clinical Research Scientist jobs

Taiho Oncology
Director, Clinical Research Scientist
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Taiho Oncology
Added 6d ago
Director, Clinical Research Scientist
Taiho Oncology
Pleasanton, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$238k - $280k/yr
Hybrid
Doctorate
201-500

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Escreen, Inc.
Scientist, Clinical Research
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Escreen, Inc.
Added 2mo ago
Scientist, Clinical Research
Escreen, Inc.
Sylmar, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Laboratory Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
On-Site
Associate's

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University of California, San Francisco
Clinical Outcomes Research - Physician-Scientist
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University of California, San Francisco
Added 12mo ago
Clinical Outcomes Research - Physician-Scientist
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Medical Specialists
Physicians
$127k - $334k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,001+

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University of California, San Francisco
Clinical Outcomes Research - Physician-Scientist
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University of California, San Francisco
Added 12mo ago
Clinical Outcomes Research - Physician-Scientist
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Medical Specialists
Clinical Support
Physicians
$127k - $334k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Intuitive
Translational Research Scientist
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Intuitive
Added 4d ago
Translational Research Scientist
Intuitive
Sunnyvale, California
Laboratory Research
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
Remote (US)
Doctorate

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See All 204+ Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

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Clinical Research Scientist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
34 jobs
South San Francisco
34 jobs
San Diego
30 jobs
Redwood City
17 jobs
San Carlos
15 jobs
Palo Alto
10 jobs
Irvine
8 jobs
Los Angeles
8 jobs
Pleasanton
5 jobs

Clinical Research Scientist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Altos Labs
    Altos Labs12
  • Genentech
    Genentech12
  • Revolution Medicines
    Revolution Medicines9
  • Natera
    Natera8
  • Calico Life Sciences
    Calico Life Sciences6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals107
  • Science & Research44
  • Healthcare & Medical Services32
  • Medical Devices15
  • Education10

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research scientist jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacology, or a related biological field
  • Hands-on experience designing or executing Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials
  • Familiarity with FDA regulations, ICH guidelines, and GCP compliance requirements
  • Proficiency with clinical data management systems such as Medidata Rave or Veeva Vault
  • Strong scientific writing skills for protocols, CSRs, and regulatory submissions
  • Experience collaborating cross-functionally with biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and medical teams

Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research scientist in California?

A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or a related life science is the minimum starting point, though many California employers at the scientist level expect a master's or PhD. California does not issue a state license specific to clinical research scientists, but the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) offer nationally recognized certifications that California hiring managers actively look for when evaluating candidates.

Which companies hire clinical research scientists in California?

Employers hiring clinical research scientists in California right now include Altos Labs, Genentech, and Revolution Medicines, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of biotech headquarters, academic medical centers, and contract research organizations means openings appear across a wide range of organization sizes and therapeutic focus areas.

Which California cities have the most clinical research scientist jobs?

San Francisco, South San Francisco, and San Diego have the most clinical research scientist openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego dominate because they anchor the state's largest biotech and pharmaceutical clusters, while Los Angeles draws openings through its academic medical centers and a growing life sciences corridor in areas like Torrance and El Segundo.

Are there remote clinical research scientist jobs in California?

Yes, but they're limited. A significant share of the work requires on-site access to labs, clinical facilities, or investigator sites, which keeps most roles tethered to a location. About 6% of clinical research scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and the positions most likely to offer flexibility are those focused on data review, regulatory writing, or clinical operations coordination rather than bench or site-based work.

How can I get hired as a clinical research scientist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is starting in a clinical research associate or research coordinator role, which major California academic medical centers like UCSF, UCLA Health, and Cedars-Sinai regularly hire for without requiring prior industry experience. From there, candidates build the GCP and protocol execution experience that scientist-level roles require. Pursuing an ACRP or SOCRA certification early signals commitment to the field and consistently gives California candidates an edge when competing for first industry positions.

Where can I find and apply to clinical research scientist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical research scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biotech, pharma, medical devices, and academic medical centers. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty focus and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 204+ Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

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

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