Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in California
Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in academic research institutions, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and national laboratories, with openings for both early-career researchers fresh from doctoral programs and experienced postdocs pursuing senior investigator tracks. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where institutions like the University of California system, Stanford University, and Salk Institute maintain large and sustained research programs. The most in-demand specializations include computational biology, oncology research, neuroscience, and materials science. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
About us:
Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.
POSITION TITLE: Postdoctoral Associate
Position Summary:
The Andersen lab is working on diverse projects using genomics approaches and high-throughput experiments to study emerging viruses and the outbreaks they cause, including arenaviruses, filoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza viruses, orthopoxviruses, and arboviruses. We use an integrated approach of ‘field’ work, technology development, and computational biology to investigate these viruses.
We are looking for a computational postdoc with experience and/or interest in developing AI-based tools for integration of diverse disease surveillance data to estimate disease burden, track pathogen dynamics, and guide public health decision making. Of most interest are candidates with experience in developing computational frameworks and tools for multimodal data integration, projection of infectious disease trends, optimization of response strategies, or LLM-assisted analyses and visualizations. This position is part of our larger initiatives, including Modjadji, PREVENT, SEARCH, Outbreak.info, and the Center for Viral Systems Biology. Candidates will be co-mentored by senior researchers in the Andersen lab, Dr. Karthik Gangavarapu and Dr. Joshua Levy.
Tasks will include:
- Work closely with collaborators across multiple international institutions.
- Develop and deploy new statistical and artificial intelligence approaches for comprehensive pathogen surveillance across wastewater and clinical data streams.
- Utilize pre-existing resources and work with computational scientists and biologists to create new ways of openly disseminating data and analyses with a focus on global health.
Postdoctoral Associates are appointed positions for the purpose of developing scholarly competence, working under the supervision of a Scripps Research Faculty member. These appointments are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. Postdoctoral Associates cannot apply for external funding either as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator without prior approval from a Departmental Chair. Postdoctoral Associates do not have consulting privileges.
Scripps Research adheres to the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) and National Science Foundation (“NSF”) definition of a Postdoctoral Scholar: An individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored, advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue their chosen career path.
Make Scripps Research your next step to advance and develop your career.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess a Ph.D., M.D., D. Phil., or equivalent degree in computational biology, epidemiology, biostatistics, computer science, or related field from a recognized institution of higher learning. A pending doctoral degree may be considered with approval of the Principal Investigator and Human Resources.
COMPENSATION:
Postdoctoral Associates will be hired following the National Institute of Health and California’s exempt salary guidelines, which provide for a starting range of $70,304 - $75,353. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution.
- Full suite of Health and Welfare plans including four medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more.
- Access to Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Free on-site Counseling Center which provides confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees.
- Paid Time Off - 5 days annually.
- Free, on-site parking.
- Pet Insurance.
Apply
Interested candidates should apply, including a cover letter and up-to-date CV. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Before applying, please make sure to read our FAQ.
The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.
EEO Statement: The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
About us:
Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.
POSITION TITLE: Postdoctoral Associate
Position Summary:
The Andersen lab is working on diverse projects using genomics approaches and high-throughput experiments to study emerging viruses and the outbreaks they cause, including arenaviruses, filoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza viruses, orthopoxviruses, and arboviruses. We use an integrated approach of ‘field’ work, technology development, and computational biology to investigate these viruses.
We are looking for a computational postdoc with experience and/or interest in developing AI-based tools for integration of diverse disease surveillance data to estimate disease burden, track pathogen dynamics, and guide public health decision making. Of most interest are candidates with experience in developing computational frameworks and tools for multimodal data integration, projection of infectious disease trends, optimization of response strategies, or LLM-assisted analyses and visualizations. This position is part of our larger initiatives, including Modjadji, PREVENT, SEARCH, Outbreak.info, and the Center for Viral Systems Biology. Candidates will be co-mentored by senior researchers in the Andersen lab, Dr. Karthik Gangavarapu and Dr. Joshua Levy.
Tasks will include:
- Work closely with collaborators across multiple international institutions.
- Develop and deploy new statistical and artificial intelligence approaches for comprehensive pathogen surveillance across wastewater and clinical data streams.
- Utilize pre-existing resources and work with computational scientists and biologists to create new ways of openly disseminating data and analyses with a focus on global health.
Postdoctoral Associates are appointed positions for the purpose of developing scholarly competence, working under the supervision of a Scripps Research Faculty member. These appointments are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. Postdoctoral Associates cannot apply for external funding either as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator without prior approval from a Departmental Chair. Postdoctoral Associates do not have consulting privileges.
Scripps Research adheres to the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) and National Science Foundation (“NSF”) definition of a Postdoctoral Scholar: An individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored, advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue their chosen career path.
Make Scripps Research your next step to advance and develop your career.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess a Ph.D., M.D., D. Phil., or equivalent degree in computational biology, epidemiology, biostatistics, computer science, or related field from a recognized institution of higher learning. A pending doctoral degree may be considered with approval of the Principal Investigator and Human Resources.
COMPENSATION:
Postdoctoral Associates will be hired following the National Institute of Health and California’s exempt salary guidelines, which provide for a starting range of $70,304 - $75,353. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution.
- Full suite of Health and Welfare plans including four medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more.
- Access to Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Free on-site Counseling Center which provides confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees.
- Paid Time Off - 5 days annually.
- Free, on-site parking.
- Pet Insurance.
Apply
Interested candidates should apply, including a cover letter and up-to-date CV. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Before applying, please make sure to read our FAQ.
The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.
EEO Statement: The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 12 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in California
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Find JobsPostdoctoral Research Associate Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Scripps Research9
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute3
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research7
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals5
- Education4
- Healthcare & Medical Services1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral research associate jobs across California.
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline completed before or at appointment start date
- First-author publications or submitted manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals in the field
- Demonstrated independent research experience with a specific methodological or technical focus
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques, data analysis software, or computational tools relevant to the position
- Strong written and oral communication skills for grant writing and conference presentations
- Ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary research teams and mentor junior lab members
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral research associate in California?
Becoming a postdoctoral research associate in California requires a completed doctoral degree in a relevant field, typically a PhD or MD-PhD, awarded before the appointment begins. California does not require a state-issued license for this role. Candidates apply directly to principal investigators or institutional postdoc offices at universities, research hospitals, or national labs. Competitive applicants bring a strong publication record, a clearly defined research focus, and letters from doctoral advisors at recognized research programs.
Which companies hire postdoctoral research associates in California?
Employers hiring postdoctoral research associates in California right now include Scripps Research and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of research universities, biotech firms, and federally funded national laboratories means institutional and industry postdoc positions are both widely available across the state.
Which California cities have the most postdoctoral research associate jobs?
The California cities with the most postdoctoral research associate openings are San Diego. The Bay Area leads because of the concentration of University of California campuses, Stanford, and a dense cluster of biotech and pharmaceutical employers, while San Diego draws significant postdoc volume through UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and the Scripps Research Institute, and Los Angeles adds further openings through UCLA, USC, and the major research hospitals affiliated with both.
Are there remote postdoctoral research associate jobs in California?
Yes, but they're uncommon, since most postdoctoral research associate roles require hands-on laboratory work, on-site equipment access, or direct collaboration within a research group. About 0% of postdoctoral research associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to be in computational research, bioinformatics, data analysis, or modeling-focused projects that do not require physical lab presence.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral research associate in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for candidates with limited postdoctoral experience is applying to formal postdoc training programs at University of California campuses, which run structured cohort-based appointments specifically designed for newly minted doctoral graduates. Lateral entry from a graduate research assistant or staff scientist role at a California research institution is another common route. A strong dissertation, at least one submitted manuscript, and a reference from a recognized doctoral advisor carry more weight than prior postdoc experience, and completing a fellowship application through a California-based funding body can also open doors with principal investigators actively seeking funded candidates.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in California?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across research institutions, biotech companies, and national laboratories. Find roles that fit your research focus and apply directly to the positions listed.
See All 12 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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