Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in California
Postdoctoral associate jobs in California are concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where institutions like UC San Francisco, Caltech, and Stanford University maintain some of the country's most active postdoctoral programs in life sciences, bioengineering, and computational biology. Demand is strongest for researchers with expertise in cancer biology, neuroscience, and machine learning applications in the biomedical space, reflecting California's deep concentration of research universities and biotech anchors. Openings range from early postdocs fresh from doctoral programs to senior postdoctoral fellows stepping toward independent investigator roles. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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A position is open for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the research laboratory of Dr. Annie Hiniker at the University of Southern California. Dr. Hiniker is the Norman and Mary Pattiz Foundation Endowed Associate Professor in Neuropathology and Director of the USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Neuropathology Core.
This NIH-funded research project is a close collaboration with Dr. Allison Kraus’s laboratory at Case Western Reserve University and will study when and where tau seeding emerges in the normal human brain and how tau seeds are modified by age, co-pathologies, inflammatory responses, and regional molecular changes. The project will combine detailed human neuropathology with RT-QuIC seeding assays (performed at the Kraus lab), biochemical characterization, transcriptomic analysis, and multiomic approaches. Applicants should hold, or soon receive, a Ph.D. in neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology, or a related discipline.
Research Description
The Hiniker lab uses human neuropathology, cell and molecular biology, and molecular profiling to identify mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease. Broadly, the lab focuses on protein aggregation and degradation in neurodegenerative diseases (please see our lab website). A major focus of this project is to define the distribution, biochemical features, and cellular correlates of tau seeds across aging and disease states, and to define the features of pathogenic tau seeds that drive neurodegenerative disease.
Research Activity
- Studies using well-characterized human brain tissue from neurodegenerative disease and control cohorts
- Neuropathologic analysis via immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence of tau, a-synuclein, TDP-43, Ab, and related changes
- Integration of neuropathology with tau RT-QuIC and related seed amplification assays
- Biochemistry and molecular biology of human brain tissue
- Generatio and analysis of multiomic (transcriptomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and related molecular) datasets
- Preparation of manuscripts, figures, abstracts, and presentations
Salary Range:
The annual base salary range for this position is $$70,304- $80,000. 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: PhD or equivalent doctorate acquired within the previous 4 years.Preferred Qualifications:
PhD or equivalent doctorate in neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology, or related areas:
- Strong publication record
- Experience with neurodegenerative disease research
- Experience with transcriptomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, or related molecular datasets
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 the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for 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 at uschr@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$156226.htmldA position is open for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the research laboratory of Dr. Annie Hiniker at the University of Southern California. Dr. Hiniker is the Norman and Mary Pattiz Foundation Endowed Associate Professor in Neuropathology and Director of the USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Neuropathology Core.
This NIH-funded research project is a close collaboration with Dr. Allison Kraus’s laboratory at Case Western Reserve University and will study when and where tau seeding emerges in the normal human brain and how tau seeds are modified by age, co-pathologies, inflammatory responses, and regional molecular changes. The project will combine detailed human neuropathology with RT-QuIC seeding assays (performed at the Kraus lab), biochemical characterization, transcriptomic analysis, and multiomic approaches. Applicants should hold, or soon receive, a Ph.D. in neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology, or a related discipline.
Research Description
The Hiniker lab uses human neuropathology, cell and molecular biology, and molecular profiling to identify mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease. Broadly, the lab focuses on protein aggregation and degradation in neurodegenerative diseases (please see our lab website). A major focus of this project is to define the distribution, biochemical features, and cellular correlates of tau seeds across aging and disease states, and to define the features of pathogenic tau seeds that drive neurodegenerative disease.
Research Activity
- Studies using well-characterized human brain tissue from neurodegenerative disease and control cohorts
- Neuropathologic analysis via immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence of tau, a-synuclein, TDP-43, Ab, and related changes
- Integration of neuropathology with tau RT-QuIC and related seed amplification assays
- Biochemistry and molecular biology of human brain tissue
- Generatio and analysis of multiomic (transcriptomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and related molecular) datasets
- Preparation of manuscripts, figures, abstracts, and presentations
Salary Range:
The annual base salary range for this position is $$70,304- $80,000. 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: PhD or equivalent doctorate acquired within the previous 4 years.Preferred Qualifications:
PhD or equivalent doctorate in neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology, or related areas:
- Strong publication record
- Experience with neurodegenerative disease research
- Experience with transcriptomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, or related molecular datasets
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 the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for 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 at uschr@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$156226.htmldSee All 20 Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Postdoctoral Associate JobsPostdoctoral Associate Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Associate Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral associate jobs across California.
- PhD in a relevant field completed before the appointment start date
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in the area of research
- Experience with California-relevant research compliance and IRB or IACUC protocols
- Proficiency in field-specific methods such as CRISPR, single-cell sequencing, or Python
- Ability to mentor graduate students and contribute to grant preparation
- Strong written communication skills for manuscript and fellowship application writing
Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral associate in California?
Becoming a postdoctoral associate in California requires a completed doctoral degree, typically a PhD or equivalent, in the relevant discipline. California does not require a state-issued license for postdoctoral researchers, but positions at medical institutions may require compliance with California Department of Public Health research standards. Most candidates apply directly to university or industry lab openings, submit a CV, research statement, and references, and are selected through faculty or PI interviews.
Which companies hire postdoctoral associates in California?
Employers hiring postdoctoral associates in California right now include Scripps Research, Keck Medicine of USC, and University of Southern California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's density of research universities, national laboratories like Lawrence Berkeley and Salk Institute, and biotech companies in South San Francisco and San Diego creates a hiring environment with openings across academic, government, and private-sector research settings.
Which California cities have the most postdoctoral associate jobs?
The cities with the most postdoctoral associate openings in California are San Diego, Los Angeles, and Pasadena. The distribution reflects the location of California's flagship UC campuses, private research universities, and biotech clusters, with the Bay Area and San Diego drawing the highest volume because of UCSF, UC San Diego, Stanford, and the concentration of life sciences companies headquartered in those corridors.
Are there remote postdoctoral associate jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most postdoctoral associate work is hands-on and lab-based, requiring physical access to equipment, biospecimens, or research facilities. About 33% of postdoctoral associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be in computational, bioinformatics, or data-intensive subfields where the primary tools are software and high-performance computing rather than bench work.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral associate in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying during the final months of your doctoral program before the degree is formally conferred, as California institutions including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Scripps Research routinely recruit candidates who are ABD. Many UC campuses run formal postdoctoral scholar programs that welcome first-time postdocs. Candidates from adjacent roles such as research associate or staff scientist can also transition in, and a strong first-author publication or active fellowship application from a body like the NIH or NSF significantly strengthens a first-time applicant's file.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral associate jobs in California?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across research universities, national laboratories, and life sciences companies. Search the listings to find roles that match your research background and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and interests.
See All 20 Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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